Retail giant asked to drop lawsuits
By Yuttapong Kumnodnae
The chambers of commerce in the Northeast are opposed to multinational discount store chain Tesco Lotus' court action against its critics and will stop doing business with the company unless it drops the suits.
The move came after the UK-based retailer filed separate defamation lawsuits against three Thai critics through its Thailand representative, Ek-chai Distribution Company, for comments which the company claimed damaged its reputation and business.
In November, it sued journalist Kamol Kamoltrakul for 100 million baht over a commentary he wrote for the Thai-language newspaper Bangkok Biz News.
On March 19, it filed another civil suit, against Nongnart Harnvilai, an editor at the Thai-language daily Krungthep Turakit, demanding 100 million baht in damages.
The company has also filed a suit for one billion baht against Jit Siratranont, the vice secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce.
Somchai Kraikrutree, a member of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, who heads a committee on economic development in the Northeast, said the chambers of commerce in 19 northeastern provinces recently met in Buri Ram and resolved to push for the charges to be withdrawn.
In its statement, the chambers of commerce announced that they disagreed with the legal action.
They will hand a letter opposing the court action to the British embassy and the United Nations office in Thailand.
They have also announced they will stop engaging in any activities with the company unless it withdraws the suits.
They will also set up a foundation to promote employment in the Northeast and to protect local small businesses from losing customers to large stores.
''We have sent copies of our resolution to the chambers of commerce in other regions,'' Mr Somchai said.
''We are unhappy with Tesco Lotus' fast business expansion all over the country. We fear its growing operations in Thailand could be detrimental to the livelihoods of local people.''
The number of small retail shops in the downtown area of Udon Thani are gradually dwindling, he added.
The provincial chamber of commerce is ready to support businesses as long as they comply with the laws and the principles of good governance, he said.
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