Mr Wallop's Baggage

[crusty]

So Mr. Wallop managed to have 40 suitcases flown in free AND evade customs ? To be delivered to an influential person on Silom Road ? Seems to me King Power's backdoor imports have come to an end ! Utter greed....!

[jackspratt]

crusty you are the only person/source I have read that has managed to associate Wallop with King Power.

Would you care to share with the rest of us?

[Theo007]

And who, pray tell, is Mr. Wallop?

[powderpuff]

Cousin of Plod.

[Meridian007]

And who, pray tell, is Mr. Wallop?

I wondered this as well, so thanks to google:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/12/18...ss_30118812.php

[bkkjames]

If I had to guess, wine or sushi.

[Rodders3000]

If I had to guess, wine or sushi.

Sushi doesn't weigh much does it?

[sbk]

Wallop faces difficulty

By SOMROUTAI SAPSOMBOON,

NONGNAPHAT MAIPANIT

THE NATION

Published on December 18, 2009

A number of Thai Airways staff members plan to dress in black today even as the airline's executive board is set to address the scandal of chairman Wallop Bhukkanasut walking away from Suvarnabhumi Airport without paying for excess baggage.

The board meeting will take place today against an unhealthy backdrop underlining difficulties faced by the troubled airline. In defending himself, Wallop has revealed deep personal conflicts with THAI President Piyasvasti Amranand, whereas the restive labour union has once again demonstrated its eagerness to clash head-on with the management.

Yesterday, the union repeated its call for executive chairman Wallop to take responsibility by stepping down. Union leader Jamsri Sukchotirat said the union and THAI staff members would wear black and submit a letter to the board, offering them moral support so they can make the "right" decision.

"Wallop is seeking business leave, probably because he wants to reduce the social pressure. The union will call for relevant officials to complete an investigation and bring about a conclusion. Someone must be held responsible for what happened," she said.

Transport Minister Sophon Saram said fact-finding officials must uncover the truth to restore confidence in the organisation. When problems crop up, executives must prove themselves and accept the results of investigation, he said, adding he would not harass or protect any one.

"As a leader, one has to prove oneself. The staff have been asked to tighten their belts, so the executives must set an example. If the investigation confirms the allegations, we'll have to see how to hand out appropriate punishment," Sophon said.

The minister said a THAI executive vice president who was also involved in the scandal must face investigation, too.

Accusations that Wallop abused his luggage-loading privileges have spiralled into a political showdown. Anti-Wallop leaflets have been countered with leaflets attacking the rehiring of Arunee Phinyawat as financial adviser to THAI even though she had accepted an early retirement package.

The anti-Arunee leaflets are believed to be aimed at discrediting Piyasvasti, who had pushed for her reinstatement.

Piyasvasti has refused to comment on the scandal surrounding Wallop, saying the matter rests with the board.

But the scandal has angered the union at a time when THAI is in cost-cutting mode. This year, non-fuel expenses are targeted to drop by Bt10.8 billion. Employees have called for cuts in directors' benefits, particularly to former directors and their relatives.

Wallop yesterday rejected calls by the airline's labour union to step down, reasoning an investigation into the allegation is still to be completed.

He and his wife have been accused of evading excess-baggage charges on up to 40 suitcases weighing about 500 kilograms, which would have normally been levied with charges totalling hundreds of thousands of baht, on their return trip from Japan on November 14.

They were also alleged to have bypassed customs control by having their baggage delivered to Lost and Found at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

"I have not seen ministers facing court cases resign. The principle is as long as the case is not closed, there's no need to resign. This is simply a baseless allegation released through leaflets. There's no proof or evidence," Wallop said.

"I will not attend the meeting today, because I want the board to freely investigate the matter. No one has stopped me from attending the meeting. It is my decision," he said, adding that he was not sure whether the board would appoint a fact-finding panel to probe the allegation.

Wallop admitted he had carried luggage exceeding weight limits but denied allegations he had bypassed customs checks.

He insisted he and his wife were entitled to carry a total of 120kgs, because they were first-class passengers entitled to carry 40kgs each, plus another 20kgs each for holding gold cards.

However, Wallop admitted he did not know how much the luggage some people asked him to deliver to Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen for donation weighed, because they were loaded onto the plane later.

He said he only knew the extra luggage numbered about 30 boxes.

Wallop said he had already dropped the boxes off at the temple and received a donation certificate. When asked if he could show the certificate, he said he had sent the certificate to relevant people.

-- The Nation 2009/12/18

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[bkkjames]

If I had to guess, wine or sushi.

Sushi doesn't weigh much does it?

hmm if you had 14 suitcases full of it (or however many it was) I am sure it weighs quite a bit.

[tw25rw]

Maybe it was really Wallop who posted the sex toys thread.

[infernalman7]

Maybe it was really Wallop who posted the sex toys thread.

ROFLMAO

[MickeyM]

And did he pay for his 1st class ticket??