Court accepts lawsuit against company formerly headed by
Thailand's ousted premier
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- A top Thai civil court Thursday accepted
a lawsuit seeking to cancel licenses given to Thaksin Shinawatra's
former business empire for various telecom services, in what could
prove another blow to the ousted premier.
The lawsuit alleges that Shin Corp., the former centerpiece of
Thaksin's business empire that was sold to Singapore's state
investment company, is no longer entitled to hold the licenses
because the company's sale violated provisions of Thai law.
The Supreme Administrative Court accepted the case Thursday, and a
ruling in favor of the lawsuit could strengthen graft allegations
against Thaksin.
Shin Corp. , which holds licenses for communication satellites,
mobile telephone services and television broadcasting, was sold
Singapore's Temasek Holdings in January. The deal was condemned by
critics because Thaksin's family avoided paying any taxes on the
sale and because it put what was deemed a strategic national asset
into foreign hands.
The sale sparked massive street demonstrations that helped lead to
the coup that toppled the businessman-turned-politician last
month.
Law professor Sastra Toon originally filed the lawsuit in March,
claiming Shin Corp. was not entitled to hold the telecom licenses
because its sale violated provisions of Thai law on the sale of
assets related to national security to foreign entities.
The Central Administrative Court earlier rejected the case on
grounds that Sastra was not a contractual party.
But the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that Sastra could file
the suit in his capacity as a user of such telecom services, said
judge Vichai Cheunchompoonut.
The plaintiff demanded that government agencies revoke the
concessions awarded to Shin Corp. for the satellite and mobile
telephone services and a license to operate television station
ITv.
The judge said the agencies have been given 30 days to submit their
arguments.
The former prime minister's family was one of the wealthiest in
Southeast Asia even before he came into office in 2001. He sold
Shin Corp. for a tax-free 73.3 billion baht (US$1.9 billion; €1.55
billion).
The military council which staged the coup against him Sept. 19 has
appointed a panel to investigate the sale as well as other assets
owned by the toppled leader who now resides in London.
