Thai court delays decision on taking up case against Airports of Thailand, King Power

Reuters Staff

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai court on Tuesday said it would extend a hearing into accusations of graft against Airports of Thailand Pcl (AOT) and duty-free retailer King Power, delaying a decision on whether to take up the case.

 

A former anti-graft official, Charnchai Issarasenanark, sued executives from both firms last year in a private capacity, accusing King Power of failing to pay the Thai government 14 billion baht ($420 million) from the operation of a airport franchise it was granted in 2006.

 

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Bangkok will hold another hearing session on Sept. 4, a court official said, adding it would summon the president of Airports of Thailand to clarify the board’s duties, its revenues and regulations governing commercial activity.

 

Airports of Thailand and King Power have previously denied the allegations.

 

King Power is owned by billionaire Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his family. The tycoon also owns English Premier League club Leicester City.

 

King Power’s franchise is set to expire in 2020 with Airports of Thailand due to hold an auction this year for the license.

 

($1 = 33.3300 baht)

 

(Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Aukkarapon Niyomyat; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Edwina Gibbs)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-08-14

Oh boy, I can't imagine the size of the brown envelopes in this case.. I bet they'll need suitcases..

21 minutes ago, kotsak said:

Oh boy, I can't imagine the size of the brown envelopes in this case.. I bet they'll need suitcases..

Nah. Daily cake boxes at noon, the case can go for as long as needed.

Set up a couple of committees,and a few sub committees,

just to make sure no conclusion is forthcoming.

regards Worgeordie

Delay, delay, delay.  Always and forever.  Put this in the dusty, cobwebby box that also has the Red Bull boy's file.

...this speaks volumes...

 

..dashes any hopes of meaningful change....

 

...extremely disappointing...

So the central criminal court will hold another hearing session and will summon the president of AOT.

First question will be where is our cut.

Then if no cut is offered they will take up the case.

SriLanka Tony called. He said he's available for arbitration if required.

Nothing but pure and utter greed.i think i read he had to pay 15% of the profit but instead chose to steal nearly all of it.hes made over 2,000 million dollars but wants to cook the books for the lot.as usual not a smart businessman but a dishonest greedy one.the other thing is they are letting him carry on and this will take years and in the meantime he will be laundering the money and building his mansion in Thai town Dubai ready for the escape when he knows he's got the last baht out of it.the uk authorities are just as bad letting super criminals in to buy premiership clubs too.in china this man would be convicted and shot for fraud against the state but as we know money is king here.its sickening too read that this money should be going to the state but has been used to fill the trough.i say kangaroo court the bastard and stick him behind bars for life where he belongs.for those liberals out there crying out he should have a fair trial.bs as we know with his money it won't be a fair trial.in thailand and there most definitely fire when you smell smoke.i know when he's going to do a runner,when he sells Leicester city before it's confiscated just like the Man City owner.

On 8/14/2018 at 12:59 PM, webfact said:

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in Bangkok will hold another hearing session on Sept. 4, a court official said

No charges are being brought by the government such as the Office of the Attorney General, by DSI nor by any of the "independent" anti-corruption agencies.

Instead an accusation is being made by:

On 8/14/2018 at 12:59 PM, webfact said:

A former anti-graft official, Charnchai Issarasenanark, sued executives from both firms last year in a private capacity  (my bold emphasis)

So it would seem that in some manner this complaint should be a civil complaint.

But a criminal court is apparently involving itself in the complaint. It's almost as if Charnchai still retained his position as an anti-graft official while acting as a private citizen. That's not to say that the government or any anti-graft agency can pursue an independent criminal investigation parallel with a civil complaint.

But the connection between Charnchai and the criminal court in the complaint seems like there's undue and inappropriate influence being used.

Business as usual.....

 

 

 

There's a hint in the well chosen brand name " King Power".... 

do we expect anything different here in Thailand where money speaks volumes !