Popular news-talk TV host Sorayuth Suthassanachinda says that he has already paid THB138 million in damages to state-run TV channel MCOT.
Mr Sorayuth is the owner of TV production firm Rai Som Co which was found to have breached its contract with MCOT by the National Anti-Corruption Commission last week. The NACC said that MCOT had been defrauded of THB138 million in payments due from advertising revenue.
Speaking in his morning news show, Rueng Lao Chao Nee or “stories to be told this morning” aired on Channel 3, Mr Sorayuth said the full amount had already been paid. Rai Som also filed a complaint with the Administrative Court demanding the MCOT pay it overdue advertising revenue sharing.
Regarding the accusation that Mr Sorayuth paid a total of THB739,770.50 to MCOT employee Pichapa Iamsa-ard to help conceal his misconduct, he denied paying a bribe. He said all cheques carried his signature as he is the director of the company and the cheques were in payment for normal advertising brokerage fees, the Bangkok Post reported.
He also said the MCOT is a tightly scrutinized organization and it was not possible that just one employee could help him in the way claimed without being found out by other people in MCOT.
Mr Sorayuth said he and his company respect the NACC’s decision but will fight the case with the Office of the Attorney General and in the courts.
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