Philip Morris Thailand vows to fight customs charges case vigorously

[webfact]

Philip Morris Thailand vows to fight customs charges case vigorously



BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s office of America’s giant cigarette producer Philip Morris has vowed to fight vigorously customs charges lodged by the public prosecution and asserted that the Thai government’s decision to indict the company breaches World Trade Organisation’s obligations.

In a statement issued today, Philip Morris Thailand said that the customs charges against the company are meritless, unjust and in violation of Thailand’s obligations to comply with WTO Customs Valuation Agreement.

The company said that the charges stemmed from the investigation by the Department of Special Investigation which began almost ten years ago into allegation that the company under-declared import prices for cigarettes it imported from the Philippines between 2003-2007.

PMTL branch manager Mr Troy Modlin insisted that the company had done nothing wrong. Not only the charges are without merits, he said the charges called into question Thailand’s commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law.

Philip Morris Thailand said that the decision of former attorney general Julasingh Vssantasing to charge the company and its current and former employees contradicted the non-prosecution order the OAG made more than four years ago as well as prior rulings of the Customs Department, the Customs Board of Appeal and Customs Post-Clearance Audit Bureau and WTO.

The company also said it had cooperated with all involved governmental agencies since the DSI launched its investigation in 2006.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/147603


-- Thai PBS 2016-01-22

[bangkokfrog]

...the charges called into question Thailand’s commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law

That has never stopped them in the past, but one wonders how an investigation launched in 2006 has taken all this time to come to the fore!

[SoFarAndNear]

PMTL branch manager Mr Troy Modlin insisted that the company had done nothing wrong. Not only the charges are without merits, he said the charges called into question Thailand’s commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law.

Hard times for foreigners in Thailand. As far as I understand the arrest warrants were only for the foreigner staff....

[tuanku]

charges called into question Thailands commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law.

There is no question about Thailand's commitment in these areas, fairness....gold mine company and teenage girl. transparency .........Rajabhakti Park. Rule of law ............Koh Tao.

However personally I have little sympathy for these merchants of death and disease.

[MorristheRunt]

Not a company ayone would want to mess with, powerfull and ruthless.

[Srikcir]

The Prayut's government decision to now indict Philip Morris Thailand also brings to question the Junta's commitment to the ASEAN Community trade agreement with regard to continue its practice of high tariffs on imports.

[Tassie Norm]

Regardless as to whether there has been an alleged breach of Thai Customs legislation (eg undervaluation of goods for the purpose of evading duty) it is interesting in respect of the time frame. Of course we are talking Thailand and Thai legislation but, for example, in Oz, such charges under the Customs Act (1901 As Amended) need to be brought within 5 years. Over that period, no prosecution possible. The progress of this 'case' will be interesting (for some observers).

[SOTIRIOS]

....times infinity.....

[kimamey]

...the charges called into question Thailands commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law

That has never stopped them in the past, but one wonders how an investigation launched in 2006 has taken all this time to come to the fore!

That's what happens when you allow staff to take cigarette breaks.

[elgordo38]

I have learned from history whenever they use the term "We will defend ourselves vigorously" 9 times out of 10 they are guilty.

[onetime]

I never thought I'd root for a cigarette company.

[Konaboy1]

charges called into question Thailands commitment to fairness, transparency and the rule of law.

There is no question about Thailand's commitment in these areas, fairness....gold mine company and teenage girl. transparency .........Rajabhakti Park. Rule of law ............Koh Tao.

However personally I have little sympathy for these merchants of death and disease.

Rule of law?

Where?