Damages over KTB loan case 'can be paid'

The company’s chief executive, Yongyuth Chaipromprasit, said in a statement that AQ Estate was strong enough financially to withstand the impact of this landmark case, pointing out that among other properties, the company had more than 4,300 rai (about 690 hectares) along Bang Na-Trat Road worth Bt12.3 billion.

Meanwhile, former Krungthai Bank president Viroj Nualkhair, one of the top executives facing 18 years in prison for illegally approving a multibillion-baht loan to Krisda Mahanakorn, was being treated in the jail’s clinic. 

He is among other new convicts suffering from different illnesses after being put in prison, senior corrections officials said yesterday. 

Viroj is being treated at the Bangkok Remand Prison’s clinic for palpitation and breathing difficulties, conditions that apparently worsened in jail, prison director Ayut Sinthoppan said, adding that Viroj had to rely on an oxygen tank. 

Other people convicted in the same case are also undergoing treatments, including KTB’s former board chairman Suchai Chaovisit, who suffers from high blood pressure; Krisda Mahanakorn executive Subin Sangsuwanmekha, who has liver disease; and former KTB executive Boonlert Sricharoen, who has heart disease.

Ayut said many of the convicts also suffered from severe anxiety, adding that he would have psychiatrists thoroughly examine their mental health so their problems can be addressed.

On Monday, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Viroj and Suchai to 18 years in jail for approving a loan of Bt9.9 billion in 2003 to companies affiliated to Krisda Mahanakorn Group. Seventeen others, who were former KTB officials and executives of the involved firms, were sentenced to between 12 and 18 years in jail. 

The Supreme Court also ordered all the convicts to provide more than Bt10 billion in damages to the bank. The court found that those involved had colluded to secure the loan dishonestly and the money was used for personal purposes. 

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was the first defendant in this case, but his case was suspended after he fled the country. The court later issued an arrest warrant in order to have him stand trial on the case. 

Corrections Department director-general Wittaya Suriyawong said yesterday that all those convicted in the KTB loan case were clearly suffering from stress as they were obviously not prepared for the jail sentence. 

He said the new convicts would be advised on how to adapt to life behind bars, and that they would be enrolled in a rehabilitation programme so they can come to terms with it. 

Wittaya said that despite being well-known and wealthy individuals, these people would not get any special treatment or privileges in jail, though they will be entitled to seek royal amnesty. 

Justice Minister General Paiboon Koomchaya said yesterday that those who fell ill would be treated at the prison’s clinic or hospital, adding that there was no need to put them in a special area in the prison. “There is no difference between convicts of a corruption case and general criminals,” he said.