AoT 'took action on blockade'

AIRPORT CLOSURE ROW

Airports of Thailand has rejected claims it failed to act against the People's Alliance for Democracy for storming Bangkok's airports last year.

AoT President Serirat Prasutanond insisted yesterday the AoT has already brought both criminal and civil lawsuits against 12 PAD leaders for urging supporters to lay siege to the two Bangkok airports in November last year.

Mr Serirat clarified the AoT's legal action against the PAD in response to a threat from Surapong Towichakchaikul, a Puea Thai MP for Chiang Mai, who vowed to seek Mr Serirat's prosecution for dereliction of duty.

Mr Surapong claimed the AoT had failed to file a complaint against the PAD for storming Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.

Mr Serirat said the AoT had filed a civil lawsuit against 12 PAD leaders for blockading the two airports from Nov 26 to Dec 4, 2008, and demanded 150 million baht in compensation from them.

The court has already accepted the lawsuit. The civil suit hearings are set to begin in August next year, Mr Serirat said.

The AoT lodged a criminal complaint about the Suvarnabhumi airport blockade with Rachathewa police station on Nov 26, 2008. It also lodged a similar complaint with Don Muang police station on Nov 27, 2008. Both police stations have been investigating the AoT's complaints, Mr Serirat said.

"I don't understand why people have only just raised this issue [AoT's legal action against PAD]. They might not know all the facts. The AoT promptly took legal action against the PAD after the blockade occurred," the AoT president said.