The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) filed a lawsuit yesterday against former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and five others over "wasteful" spending in 2013.
The lawsuit was filed with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions by the NACC after public prosecutors turned down the case earlier citing a lack of evidence.
The five others named in the lawsuit were former PM's Office minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan; Yingluck's then-secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva; Matichon Plc; Siam Sport Syndicate Plc; and Siam Sport director Ravi Lohtong.
They were indicted in connection with the allocation of 240 million baht to fund the "Roadshow to Thailand's Future Thailand 2020" scheme, a PR campaign to promote infrastructure development projects in 2013.
The campaign included exhibitions, seminars and other activities.
Based on the lawsuit, the graft panel alleged that from late August 2013 to March 12, 2014, the first three defendants -- Yingluck, Mr Niwatthamrong and Mr Suranand -- abused their authority, omitting to call public tenders for the work, to favour the companies which were fourth and the fifth defendants, who won the contracts.
Without a bidding contest, the first three defendants contracted the fourth to implement the government campaign in 12 provinces to publicise infrastructure projects that Yingluck's government planned to borrow 2 trillion baht to fund.
When the Constitutional Court ruled a draft bill, which was proposed to allow the government to borrow that sum, was unconstitutional, the events held during the roadshow were rendered void.
The 240 million baht spent on the campaign was wasted, according to the NACC.
It said the trio violated Section 151 and Section 157 of the Criminal Code and sections 12 and 13 of the law on offences relating to the submission of contract bids to state agencies.
The NACC said the three other defendants were complicit and asked the court to punish the others for aiding the malfeasance.
All but Yingluck and Matichon Plc appeared before the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions and they were temporarily released on bail.
The court will decide on April 19 whether to accept the lawsuit.