The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has dropped charges filed against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and three others in a corruption case linked with Thai Airways International’s (THAI) purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft between 2003 and 2004, according to one of the parties charged in the case.
Pichet Sathirachawal, a former deputy transport minister named as one of the accused, disclosed the NACC’s ruling on Wednesday.
The four were accused of dereliction of duty over their roles in the aircraft procurement, which was alledgedly found by an investigation team to have been mismanaged and corrupt, causing THAI’s debts to multiply, contributing to the airline’s financial woes.
Mr Pichet said in a television interview on Wednesday that the NACC has thrown out the charges against him, Thaksin, former THAI board chairman Thanong Bidaya and former THAI president Kanok Abhiradee.
In December last year, the NACC pressed charges of dereliction of duty against Thaksin, Mr Pichet, Mr Thanong, and Mr Kanok, while former industry minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit was dropped as an accused.
The NACC later said Mr Suriya was excluded from the investigation as it was convinced by the evidence that he played no role in THAI’s purchase of the 10 aircraft.
Some critics observed that Mr Pichet’s disclosure of the court’s decision came ahead of Thaksin’s planned return from self-imposed exile abroad later this month. However, Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, revealed on Wednesday that her father has deferred his return, citing an unstable political environment.
Previously, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, NACC secretary-general, said the commission sent a letter to Thaksin, Mr Phichet, Mr Thanong and Mr Kanok asking them to explain the charges they were facing.
Between 2002 and 2004, Thaksin’s cabinet approved THAI’s plan to purchase the 10 A340-500 and A340-600 aircraft worth a combined 53.5 billion baht.
The purchase plan was submitted to the cabinet by Mr Suriya at the time, according to an investigative report.