Anutin Govt Faces Probe Over 180 Billion Duty-Free Contract Loss

MGR Online•Politics•5d ago

Reader Briefing

Former officials and a former MP have requested an investigation into the Airports of Thailand Board's decision to amend duty-free and commercial area contracts.

•Admiral Pajun Tamprateep and Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak submitted evidence to the 2027 Budget Bill Extraordinary Committee on August 20, 2026.
•The Airports of Thailand (AOT) Board approved amendments to duty-free concessions and commercial area management contracts on December 2, 2025.
•Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak claims these amendments result in a loss of approximately 180,000 million baht over 10 years.
•Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak previously filed a complaint with the NACC on April 3, 2026, against Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the AOT Board.

Overview

•Admiral Pajun Tamprateep and Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak submitted evidence to Ms. Sirikanya Tansakun and Ms. Watanya Bunnag on August 20, 2026, seeking an investigation into contract amendments.
•Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak stated that the amendments to the concessions and commercial areas reduce the benefits AOT receives by 18,021 million baht per year.
•The total estimated loss to the state over a 10-year period is approximately 180,000 million baht according to Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak.
•The AOT Board approved the amendments to the duty-free and commercial area management contracts on December 2, 2025.
•The Cabinet acknowledged suggestions from the NACC on December 2, 2025, and assigned the Ministry of Finance to consult with the Ministry of Transport and the Office of the Attorney General.
•Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak questioned why Mr. Pakorn Nilprapunt, Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, did not object during the Cabinet and AOT Board meetings.
•Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak intends to mobilize the public sector if no clear progress is made within 2 months.

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Key Entities

Person

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

The Prime Minister who was named in a complaint filed with the NACC regarding contract amendments.

Admiral Pajun Tamprateep(พล.ร.อ.พะจุณณ์ ตามประทีป)

The former head of the Office of the President of the Privy Council who submitted evidence for investigation.

Chanchai Issarasenarak(ชาญชัย อิสระเสนารักษ์)

A former MP for Nakhon Nayok who filed complaints with the NACC and the Budget Committee.

Sirikanya Tansakun(ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล)ℹ️

A party-list MP of the People's Party who received evidence regarding the contract amendments.

Watanya Bunnag(วทันยา บุนนาค)ℹ️

A member of the Extraordinary Committee considering the 2027 Budget Bill.

Pakorn Nilprapunt(ปกรณ์ นิลประพันธ์)

The Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs who attended both the Cabinet and AOT Board meetings.

Organization

Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited(บริษัท ท่าอากาศยานไทย จำกัด (มหาชน))ℹ️

The organization whose board approved the amendment of duty-free and commercial area contracts.

People's Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party to which Ms. Sirikanya Tansakun belongs.

National Anti-Corruption Commission(คณะกรรมการ ป.ป.ช.)

The body where Mr. Chanchai Issarasenarak filed a complaint to investigate Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Cabinet(ครม.)

The government executive body that acknowledged NACC suggestions on December 2, 2025.

Ministry of Finance(กระทรวงการคลัง)ℹ️

The ministry assigned by the Cabinet to consult on the contract issue.

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The ministry assigned to consult with the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Attorney General.

Office of the Attorney General(สำนักงานอัยการสูงสุด)ℹ️

The office assigned by the Cabinet to engage in discussions regarding the contract amendments.

Law

Budget Expenditure Act for the Fiscal Year 2027(พ.ร.บ.งบประมาณรายจ่ายประจำปีงบประมาณ พ.ศ. 2570)

The draft legislation for which an extraordinary committee was formed to consider.