Govt to finalize Thaicom purchase within 2 weeks

BANGKOK, 21 June 2010 (NNT) – The government will finalize the controversial attempt to purchase Thaicom Satellite back from Singaporean Temasek Holdings within two weeks, according to Information Communication Technology Minister Chuti Krairiksh. The minister believed that the government could finalize the concession and related issues to buy back the satellite within the next two weeks. He added that his ministry would appoint a task force to consider each contract carefully. Mr Chuti also announced that he would convene all legal advisors on Monday afternoon to discuss the attempt of the Thai government to purchase back the satellite and legal prosecution against related figures by using verdicts of the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court for Holders of Political Positions. The minister however admitted that the decision for this issue must be made with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij.