Court orders Prachai to pay Bt1.25m compensation to Leena

The Southern Bangkok Civil Court yesterday found Prachai guilty of one count of civil offence by going back on his promise to endorse Leena's candidacy.

Leena contended Prachai and co-defendant Rachot Pisitbannakarn had wooed her to adopt the party's banner with a promise to endorse her candidacy for Bangkok's Constituency 8.

At the party's campaign office in October 2007, Prachai and Rachot made a public statement introducing her as the party's electoral candidate.

Leena said she had advanced millions of baht for campaigning preparations, but the party had failed to reimburse her expenses.

At the start of the candidacy registration on November 9, 2007, she said Prachai abruptly cancelled his promise without any justification.

In the initial damages demand, Leena sued Prachai for Bt1 billion in compensation for her tainted reputation, for expenses incurred and for the lost opportunity to contest the polls.

The civil court ruled in Leena's favour by citing evidence that Prachai had already made a public announcement endorsing the candidacy, before reneging.

In computing the damage, the court cited Prachai's promise for Bt1.25 million financial support for the candidate.