Supplier of online lottery agrees not to sue gov't

Following today's meeting with the prime minister, the supplier of online lottery has agreed not to sue the government for cancelling the contract for lottery vending machine, chairman of Thai Trade Representative Kiart Sithiamorn said on Thursday.

The head of Gtech from the United States, joint partner with Loxley, called on the prime minister to discuss the amicable way for contract cancellation, Kiart said.

"The company voices regrets for the government's decision not to move ahead but with experiences working in several countries, it understands the policy and clearly signals having no intention to litigate," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-01-14

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How jolly civilized of them! Suing the Thai Government?

If you're going to sue anybody best to make sure that they can pay first.

AFAIK you cannot sue the UK Government - or what passes for one.

I am sure their shareholders are just swell about that then.

Presumably someone somewhere owes Loxley a huge favour sometime in the future, like billions of baht huge. I am trying to think what could be bigger for private business in Thailand than running a lottery?

Often you cannot sue governments, hence why backing out of contracts is normally a very serious business for most governments.

I suspect this suit was locally Thai in origin.

Gtech's Thai partners (TRT/PPP/PTP connected) tried some hardball and lost the bet,

but Gtech, not wanting to be labeled as difficult, in hopes of future contracts,

came to the PM themselves and made nice.

Two different entities, the Thai local front that got nothing for their efforts,

and the USA outfit that needed a Thai front to get the contract.

Score one more for Abhisit. Seems to be racking up a lot of wins lately.