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Published on October 19, 2007

Former executives and directors of Thai Maritime Navigation have been implicated for involvement in a scandal involving the state-owned shipping company, according to a preliminary finding.

The graft investigation committee, chaired by Rear Admiral Thaivichai Boonya-Anant, showed evidence that implicated individuals of malpractice, said Vice Admiral Niphon Chaksudun, chairman of Thai Maritime Navigation.

"Within this month, we will identify the charges that the individuals could face and their names should be revealed to the board of directors," Niphon said, adding that some employees were also found to have been involved.

The report would then be presented to Transport Minister Theera Haocharoen. If approved, it would go to the National Counter Corruption Commission, which would file charges.

The committee, set up early this month, looked into bills of landing the former board and managers issued for goods shipments and found they had been falsified.

Individuals were also suspected of overcharging for handling goods. Such practices were deemed to have caused damage to the firm.

Some bills were issued after shipment to increase the benefit for foreign agents. Individuals were also thought to have conspired to book inflated prices to benefit clients.

"The practices were committed during 2005 and there is evidence that link some directors and executives who worked for Thai Maritime Navigation at the time," Niphon said.

Directors present at the January 12, 2005, board meeting where the bills issue was approved include Sommai Phasee, now deputy finance minister, and Bannawit Kengrien, the chair of the Legislative Assembly's transport committee.

Others were transport inspector Supot Khampeera, Pol General Charnchit Bhiralert, Techa Bunyachai, Nopporn Thepsitha, Somporn Kaewngam and Jirasek Trimethsunthorn.

Niphon also said he had met Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to discuss a scandal involving the company's subsidiary TMN Co. "We found that some employees and former executives who were involved in the malpractices approached the AEC and tried to submit incomplete and distorted information to the agency," he said.

A Transport Ministry source said earlier some parties had tried to frame TMN Co because they did not want the state to dissolve the parent company. Though loss-making, the parent company maintains exclusive shipping rights for state enterprises and the Army.

"These people want Thai Maritime Navigation to maintain the rights and they could later pass on the rights to other companies for their own benefit," the source said.

Watcharapong Thongrung

 The Nation