Published on October 18, 2005

CAR-PARK SCANDAL: ‘Besmirched’ Yaowaret Shinawatra makes case for her libel suit

Businesswoman Yaowaret Shinawatra yesterday denied involvement in a Bt300 million bribery scandal involving the construction and operation of a car park at the new Suvanabhumi Airport.

“Latthapol Kesakothin has besmirched my reputation by raising groundless allegations against me by saying I was involved in making a bribery demand,” Yaowaret said in her libel suit.

Yaowaret appeared yesterday in court at a hearing held to determine if her allegations against Latthapol merit judicial review.

Yaowaret told the court she had never had any contacts with Latthapol before he released his statement on a video CD allegedly linking her to the scam. She also said she did not know the other seven people implicated by Latthapol as her alleged conspirators in the scam.

She admitted, however, that Natcha Naichon had been in her employment until June 2003. In his video CD, Latthapol asserts that through Natcha he paid bribes in two instalments, worth a total of Bt25 million, to Yaowaret in August and September 2003. The Criminal Court is scheduled to rule on the merits of the case on November 17.

CHON BURI: Former rector wins by-election

Former university rector Chao Maneewong won Chon Buri’s senatorial by-election on Sunday, the Election Commission said yesterday.

Chao received 88,301 votes, almost double the number by Vichian Tangsathittham, who came a distant second with 45,251 votes. Kasem Luang-on finished third with 41,285 votes.

Chao’s victory still needs to be endorsed by the EC. He is a former rector of Chon Buri’s Burapha University and once served as an adviser to former sports and tourism minister Sontaya Khunplome.

The by-election was held to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Viroj Amatakulchai in September.

CONTROVERSIAL BID: Ministry eases ambulance specs

A Public Health Ministry committee yesterday released new specifications for the purchase of 232 ambulances, the long-running procurement of which has been dogged by allegations of corruption.

Surprisingly, the new specifications designate lower quality vehicles, and drop a requirement for ISO certification, while providing for the optional use of alloy wheels, which a ministry source said was unnecessary and would only cost more.

The committee also awarded a Bt34.75 million contract to a company to provide breathing-aid equipment for all ambulances. The bid was only Bt5,000 lower than that of its rival.

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