MCOT suffered no damage: Sorrayuth
WELL-KNOWN television news host Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda vowed to prove his innocence yesterday after he was indicted in the Criminal Court over an MCOT complaint of embezzlement and bribery.
Sorrayuth, his company Raisom and employee Montha Thiradet were charged yesterday with allegedly encouraging MCOT employee Pitchapha or Chanapha Iamsa-ard to abuse her authority and take bribes of Bt658,996.
With help from Pitchapha between February 4, 2005 and June 30, 2006, Raisom was able to allegedly avoid paying advertising fees of more than Bt138 million to MCOT.
Available evidence suggests that the firm agreed to pay MCOT these fees after the alleged irregularity was exposed. MCOT also claimed that Pitchapha had confessed during an internal investigation.
Choosing to stay away
However, she did not show up to face the charges in court yesterday. If convicted, she faces harsh punishment on grounds that she was an employee of a state organisation at the time of the alleged crime.
Kosolwat Intujanyong, deputy spokesman of the Office of the Attorney-General, said Pitchapha would be indicted for violating the Wrongdoing by State Organisation Employees Act.
“The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission will have to take her to court for indictment,” he said.
Sorrayuth and Montha were granted bail for a guarantee of Bt200,000 each.
“I am ready to fight this case,” Sorrayuth said, adding that he would continue working because he believed in his innocence.
“I have never contacted Pitchapha, and MCOT has not suffered any |damage. I’m going to prove this,” he said.
The court has scheduled a hearing for April 27, when evidence will be reviewed and statements by defendants heard.
