Thai Airways is suing key leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy and their supporters, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, for 575 million baht for damage caused by their seizure of Bangkok's two airports last year.
Just over a year ago, inside Suvarnabhumi airport.
Bampen Sappasri, representing THAI, yesterday lodged a civil complaint with the Civil Court against 36 leaders and key supporters of the yellow shirt alliance for causing damage to the airline during their blockade of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports between Nov 25 and Dec 4 of last year.
THAI said the blockades disrupted its passenger and cargo services and cost it a large amount of money.
THAI is demanding more than 575 million baht in damages plus 7.5% in annual interest.
The 36 defendants include Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Sondhi Limthongkul, Piphob Thongchai, Suriyasai Katasila, Somsak Kosaisuk, Democrat MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, Chaiwat Sinsuwong, and Mr Kasit. The court has accepted the case for hearing. A preliminary hearing has been set for Feb 22.
The closure of the airports by the PAD was intended to force the disbanding of the Somchai Wongsawat government, which was backed by fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co also filed a civil lawsuit on Nov 23 against Maj Gen Chamlong and 14 other PAD members for seizing the two airports. Aerothai is demanding more than 103 million baht in damages.
Assistant national police chief Somyos Phumphanmuang, who heads an inquiry into the seizure of the two airports, said investigators needed more time to transcribe tapes featuring speeches by PAD leaders during the blockades.
Pol Lt Gen Somyos said he was not sure if an investigation report would be ready and submitted to the prosecution by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, THAI executive chairman Wallop Bhukkanasut has denied allegations he did not declare taxable items brought in from abroad to avoid paying duty.
Leaflets circulated at the company claim a THAI executive returned from a trip to Japan on Nov 14 and failed to go through proper customs procedures to declare taxable items.
Instead, the executive allegedly had his luggage directed to the lost-and-found section to avoid paying the taxes.
The president of the THAI union, Chaemsri Sukchoterat, said the union had filed a complaint asking the prime minister and the transport minister to look into the matter.
Mr Wallop said he and his wife returned from Japan on that day but he denied allegations they carried their luggage through ‘‘a special channel'' to evade taxes.
He also said he did not buy anything in Japan to sell in Thailand.
He said the move to sully his reputation might stem from his restructuring of THAI's management system as this could have affected certain vested interests.
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