National—
On March 4th, 2024, the Thai Supreme Court ruled a verdict in a case concerning the Roadshow project “Building Thailand’s Future Thailand 2022” with a budget of 240 million baht to drop charges against Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, the former Thai Prime Minister, and six others, and ordered the withdrawal of her arrest warrant.
Previously, the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) filed the lawsuit against Yingluck, Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, the acting Thai Prime Minister following Yingluck’s removal from office, Mr. Suranand Vejjajiva, the former secretary to the Prime Minister in Yingluck’s government, Matichon Company Limited, Siam Sport Syndicate Limited, and Mr. Ravi Lohthong, the founder of Siam Sport Syndicate Limited, as defendants 1-6.
They were accused of abusing or neglecting their duties without authorization, using their power corruptly, and aiming to prevent fair competition in the Roadshow project “Building Thailand’s Future Thailand 2022.”
The Supreme Court unanimously dropped charges against Yingluck and six others as there was no evidence of intent to benefit from the procurement process. The court also ordered the withdrawal of the arrest warrant against Yingluck, who is currently a fugitive abroad.
This case stemmed from the NACC accusing the defendants of abusing their power corruptly from August 2013 to March 21st, 2014, with the intent to prevent fair competition in the Roadshow project to benefit Matichon Company Limited and Siam Sport Syndicate Limited, allowing them to contract with government agencies.
The Constitutional Court ruled that the draft bill granting the Thai Ministry of Finance the authority to borrow money for infrastructure transport development projects was unconstitutional. This ruling led to the Roadshow project being unable to continue, resulting in damages of over 239.7 million baht.
Previously, the Office of the Attorney General decided not to prosecute, citing that after the private sector business group inquired about payment for the project, the Secretary-General’s Office of the Prime Minister during Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government confirmed that the procurement was in accordance with regulations, leading to payment.
The joint committee working with the Office of the Attorney General found this to be crucial information, rendering the case incomplete. Therefore, they decided not to prosecute.
However, the NACC disagreed and proceeded further to file a lawsuit with the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court against the defendants, resulting in the aforementioned verdict.
