TV host Sorayuth summoned to face fraud charge on January 30



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Corruption Commission (NACC) has officially notified well-known Channel 3's TV host Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, and two other persons to turn themselves in to the public prosecutors on January 30 to face charges of cheating the state-owned MCOT Plc of over 138 million baht in advertising revenue in 2005 and 2006.

NACC chairman Panthep Klanarongran said today that official notices have been sent to the three accused and the the Rai Som Co Ltd so they could get ready to defend themselves, and prepare lawyers and assets for use as bails when they are prosecuted in the court.

Indicted by the NACC are Sorayuth, his Rai Som company, Mrs Pichapa Iamsa-ard, an MCOT employee and Montha Theeradet, an employee of Rai Som Co.

They were accused of cheating then Mass Communication Organisation of Thailand (MCOT), now changed to MCOT Plc after listed on the stock market, of more than 138 million baht in advertising revenue in 2005 and 2006.

The NACC probe revealed that in June 2003, MCOT contracted Sorayuth to be the daily host for its Thueng Luk Thueng Khon news programme on TV Channel 9 for 5,000 baht an episode.

The programme proved popular and prompted Sorayuth to establish Rai Som in February 2004.

Rai Som also had a contract with MCOT to co-produce the Kui Kui Khao news programme. Rai Som was allocated advertising slots of between two and five minutes during the news programme.

If its advertisements exceeded the time slots, Rai Som was supposed to pay MCOT a rate of at least 200,000 baht per minute.

Sorayuth allegedly paid Mrs Pichapa to help conceal the records of the advertising airtime Rai Som used.

The NACC found that Sorayuth made six payments worth a total of 739,770.50 baht to Mrs Pichapa who was responsible for recording commercial time.

The NACC said Ms Pichapa managed to conceal the recordings of the extra advertising time of Rai Som from February 4, 2005, to June 30, 2006 amounted to 138.79 million baht.

On Aug 31, 2006, Rai Som sought a 30% discount on the amount and paid 103.95 million baht to MCOT but was rejected and the case was later brought to the NACC to punish state employee responsible.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/tv-host-sorayuth-summoned-face-fraud-charge-january-30


-- Thai PBS 2015-01-15

Gave up after reading the third sentence/paragraph.

Amazaning revenue for reading a newspaper

Every time I return from renewing my visa in Europe and I still see him on TV I always ask my friend "Isn't he in jail yet?"

It' s has been a standing joke for the past nine (9) years. Justice is so swift in Thailand!!!

The National Anti-Corruption Corruption Commission (NACC) has officially notified well-known Channel 3's TV host Sorayuth Suthassanachinda, and two other persons to turn themselves in to the public prosecutors on January 30 to face charges of cheating the state-owned MCOT Plc of over 138 million baht in advertising revenue in 2005 and 2006.

So they are asking nicely for 3 criminals, who stole 138 million from the state, to turn themselves in after almost 10 years!!

Arrest the thieving bastards!!

Oh silly me!! I forgot, they are considered hi-so........................

He has invested in a housing project with Thaksin's son and the Japanese tea man Mr Tan

Connections may have helped delay any moves against him in the past.

I thought I read an article regarding this last year, and it was determined his company was actually short changed by 50-60 Million Baht. This is very peculiar to reopen this investigation again. Something appears slightly sinister for this to happen. Sorayuth has a great morning news show that is actually the #1 news show in Thailand and receives Awards each year for Broadcast Journalism. The Missus and I watch it every day. As far as the news goes, he tells it like it is. Yes, He and his co-Host read the newspapers because a lot of Thai's cannot read and more than a few just cannot afford the 10 Baht each day for the newspaper. I, especially like it when he sets up a remote broadcast studio, like he did at the beach when the oil spill occurred. I remember during the great Flood, He traveled to different locations highlighting the short comings of the supposed preparations, that the then Government was making. When You are in the Highlight and you report what you see, especially when you questions things, the facial expressions you make upon hearing the answers, give your thoughts away without you having to say a word. I think Sorayuth is a Master of that, and I like his style. I hope the allegations of fraud are groundless and this can be put to rest for once and for all. IMHO.

...expect them to be found guilty....but that the statute of limitations has expired.....

small amount of fine and off they will be free again...

If the most famous anchor man on Thai TV is paid 5000 Baht for a news show, no wonder he needs some income on the side . I guess just the make-up for one speaker on US news costs several times more. OK maybe more than 100 mio is a bit much .

He has invested in a housing project with Thaksin's son and the Japanese tea man Mr Tan

Connections may have helped delay any moves against him in the past.

What housing project? Where?

Again with this turning themselves in BS!!! <deleted> do they even have cops in this country for? Absolute farce.