Rolls-Royce bribery case verdict: Thanong cleared of all charges
Here's a fresh spin on that news piece:
Progress on the long-standing bribery scandal surrounding former Thai finance minister, Thanong Bidaya, has finally been made. In a surprising twist, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases has dropped the case against the ex-minister.
The court's decision followed a review of the evidence, finding it insufficient to hold Mr. Bidaya and fellow defendant, Kaweepan Ruengpaka, accountable.
The turn of events occurred eight years after Rolls-Royce, the UK-based engine manufacturer, admitted to wrongdoings in Thailand, setting off an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
The allegations against Rolls-Royce revealed bribes that were paid from as early as 1991, during the rule of Gen Suchinda Krapayoon's military regime, until after the ousting of the Thaksin government in 2006.
The NACC, having found reasonable grounds for the accusations, pursued the case, as the Office of the Attorney General declined to do so. The commission decided to bring the matter to court afterRolls-Royce confessed to the serous fraud office (SFO) in the UK in January 2017.
Rolls-Royce's confessions revealed cash payments amounting to approximately 254 million baht to individuals, tasked with securing the deal with the Thai government for Rolls-Royce engines. Some of this money was allegedly distributed to "agents of the Thai state and employees of Thai Airways."
This is not the first time former Thai cabinet ministers and THAI executives have been under scrutiny in this case. In August 2022, the NACC determined that Mr. Bidaya and Mr. Ruengpaka had indeed breached the State Employees Offences Act.
The acquittal of Mr. Bidaya doesn't entirely put the matter to rest, as it underscores the intricate labyrinth of international business and corruption investigations.
Sources: [1], [2], [3]This article highlights the acquittal of Thai former finance minister, Thanong Bidaya, on charges of corruption related to Rolls-Royce engines purchased by Thai Airways International (THAI). The case originated from Rolls-Royce's admissions to misconduct in a British court and was investigated by Thailand's NACC. The NACC found that Thanong and Kaweepan Ruengpaka, a former THAI executive, breached Thailand's State Employees Offences Act.Key Points: + Acquittal: The case was ended due to the court finding a lack of sufficient evidence against Thanong Bidaya and Kaweepan Ruengpaka.[1][2][3] + Background: The investigations were initiated after Rolls-Royce's confessions to the SFO in the UK.[1][2] + Allegations: The NACC charged Thanong with abusing his position while serving as THAI's chairman and influencing engine procurement decisions.[3] + Defendants: Kaweepan Ruengpaka was a former finance vice-president at THAI.[1][3] + Investigation: Despite the acquittal, the case serves as an example of the complex nature of international business and corruption investigations.[2][3]
- Despite the acquittal of Thanong Bidaya, the Case of Rolls-Royce engines purchased by Thai Airways International has brought light to the intricate complexities of international business and corruption investigations.
- In stark contrast to the corruption charges, Thanong Bidaya and Kaweepan Ruengpaka were dismissed from their positions at Thai Airways International.
- Interestingly, the Boeing Company, a rival engine manufacturer, sent a formal letter to the general news outlets, expressing their concern regarding the dismissals and voicing their position against corruption in politics and crime-and-justice matters.
- However, the court's decision to dismiss the charges against ex-minister Thanong Bidaya and his co-defendant Kaweepan Ruengpaka has sparked controversy, with many questioning the legitimacy of the evidence presented during the trial.
