Surapong denies wrongdoing in Thai Com contract amendment
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Former information and communication technology minister Surapong Suebwonglee Friday pleaded not guilty to the charge of abusing authority to change the Thai Com contract to help a firm then belonged to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Surapong, former ICT Ministry permanent secretary Kraisorn Porsutee and former director of the Space Affairs Bureau of Thailand, Chaiyun Phuengkiartpairoj, were charged in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holder of Political Office, with abusing their authority to help Shin Corp and its daughter company, Shin Satellite.
The NACC alleged that the three defendants amended the contract with Shinawatra Computer and Communications, which later became Shin Corp, to allow it to reduce its stake holding in Shin Satellite, the operator of Thai Com satellites, from 51 per cent to 40 per cent without seeking approval from the Cabinet first.
At that time Shin Corp owner, Thasksin, was the prime minister.
The court asked how the three would plead to the charge and all of them pleaded not guilty.
The court scheduled December 3 for the defendants and plaintiffs to check each other’s evidences.
