Sukhumbhand was initially scheduled to join official celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Bangkok’s ties with its sister city Seoul, from August 25 to August 28.

He learned of his suspension at Hong Kong International Airport while waiting for his connecting flight to Seoul. He decided to continue with the group to Seoul but left the official party when it arrived in South Korea.

Sukhumbhand’s adviser Wasan Meewong said yesterday: “Because of the suspension order, he separated himself from the trip of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) executives.

“He has accepted the order and will not appeal.”

He added that he did not know when Sukhumbhand would return to Thailand.

“But I believe he will not hold any press conference. Neither will he delegate duties and responsibilities to the BMA executives because the suspension order has already taken effect,” Wasan said.

On Thursday, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha exercised his power as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief under Article 44 of the Interim Constitution to suspend Sukhumbhand from duty. But officially, Sukhumbhand has not been sacked as Bangkok’s governor.

Prayut explained yesterday that the suspension order was in response to a complaint from the Office of the Auditor General. “But I have not said that he is involved in corruption,” Prayut said, noting that Sukhumbhand still have opportunities to contest the allegations.

The Office of the Auditor General has found alleged irregularities in the BMA’s decorative lighting project and pursued the case against Sukhumbhand.

“If his name is cleared later on, the suspension will end,” Prayut said.

The prime minister denied any suggestion that Sukhumbhand faced the suspension partly because of his perceived failure to solve Bangkok’s flood problems.

Sukhumbhand is among the latest locally elected politicians to face suspension over scandals.

“I have used the same standard for them all,” Prayut said.

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya, who heads the Centre for National Anti-Corruption (CNAC), said the CNAC had played no role in Sukhumbhand’s suspension.

Sukhumbhand has twice won Bangkok governor elections. He began his second term in 2013.

However, he has been involved in several scandals during his terms.

The Democrat Party, which fielded him as its candidate for the city |governor’s position, has already |disowned him.

The party took the action earlier this year after Sukhumbhand repeatedly refused to talk to his party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva about the New Year lighting project and other allegations.

In the wake of Sukhumbhand’s suspension, Abhisit said yesterday he had already apologised to the public for not being able to keep the current BMA administration under check.

“His (Sukhumbhand’s) team has worked independently,” Abhisit said.

Asked whether the Democrat Party would consider fielding an outsider as its next gubernatorial candidate, Abhisit said his party had not consider-ed the issue because it was unclear whether a gubernatorial race would be held.

Abhisit refused to comment on whether Sukhumbhand’s case would hurt the image of the party.

“We have already told the truth to the public. No matter how people react, we have to accept that,” he said.