Finance Minister demands apology from Puea Thai MP

BANGKOK, 28 December 2009 (NNT) – Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij urges Puea Thai MP Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap to apologize to him for the accusation that he has used his ministerial position for privileges in air journeys.

The minister stated that the MP might have received wrong information from other people, adding that all of his flight information could be checked with the Thai Airways International. Mr Korn said he was ready to clarify the matter anytime and threatened to take legal action against the MP immediately if the latter refused to apologize to him by today.

Mr Korn is alleged of using his position to upgrade Thai Airways International’s economy class tickets to the first-class for him and his family on both personal and official trips. The minister is also accused of carrying baggage exceeding the weight limit and was claimed to pay only 400,000 THB from the full amount of three million THB.

Meanwhile, Group Captain Anudith said he had prepared clear documentary evidence from 14 flights to prove his accusation. The evidence will be exposed to the public today.

Vorakorn Chatikavanij, the spouse to the minister on Sunday filed a libel suit against the MP to counter the allegation at the Bang Rak police station. She said she filed the libel suit herself, not on behalf of her husband.