The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has found grounds to charges against a former Thai Airways International (THAI) board chairman of failing to pay for overweight baggage and accepting gifts of excessive value, according to a source in the NACC.
In January 2010, Wallop Bhukkanasut resigned as executive chairman of the national carrier after being accused of exploiting his position to transport 30 pieces of luggage weighing 398kg from Japan to Bangkok in November of the previous year.
The luggage far exceeded the weight limit allowed for his group. However, Mr Wallop allegedly failed to pay for the excess weight.
According to the NACC, Mr Wallop also faced a separate charge of accepting gifts -- Kobe beef and expensive fruit -- from a private company with a combined value of more than 3,000 baht.
State officials are prohibited from receiving a gift worth more than 3,000 baht. THAI is a state enterprise and staff are regarded by law as state officials.
The source said the case against Mr Wallop has now been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General with the recommendation that he be indicted in court.
At the height of the perks scandal, Mr Wallop came under intense pressure. He subsequently resigned as THAI's executive chairman and as a member of its board.
An inquiry was established to investigate claims that Mr Wallop, his wife Jaruwan and another senior THAI executive, used their positions to evade excess baggage fees on a flight from Tokyo to Suvarnabhumi Airport two months earlier.
According to the airline, Mr Wallop and his wife were allowed to carry no more than 40kg of baggage. The couple was also accused of diverting the baggage through a special route to avoid paying taxes and fees.
The inquiry was headed by Kanit Sangsubhan, who at the time was director of the Fiscal Policy Office's Policy Research Institute and a THAI board member.
Piyasvasti Amranand, who was THAI president at the time, said the incident had prompted the national carrier to tighten regulations to prevent its staff from exploiting flight perks and privileges.