AOT reviews Peace Act impact on airport closure compensation

Thansettakij•Economy•12h ago

Reader Briefing

Airports of Thailand is reviewing whether a new amnesty law affects its ability to collect 522 million baht in damages from the People's Alliance for Democracy.

•Airports of Thailand (AOT) is consulting legal experts regarding the impact of the Peace Act on compensation claims.
•The Civil Court previously ordered People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders to pay AOT 522 million baht plus 7.5% annual interest.
•AOT advanced over 1,000 million baht for airport operators under a Cabinet resolution but has not been reimbursed by the government.
•In 2024, the Criminal Court acquitted PAD leaders of treason and terrorism but fined some for violating the Emergency Decree.

Overview

•Airports of Thailand (AOT) is tasking its legal department to monitor whether the amnesty law affects compensation claims resulting from past airport closures.
•The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) closed Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008.
•AOT advanced over 1,000 million baht to compensate airport operators following a Cabinet resolution, but AOT has not received reimbursement from the government for over 10 years.
•AOT has recorded the advanced payment as an expense, meaning any future reimbursement from the government will be recorded as company income.
•On September 21, 2017, the Civil Court ordered 13 PAD leaders, including Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul, to pay AOT 522 million baht plus 7.5% annual interest.
•Several PAD leaders were declared bankrupt by the court due to failure to pay the damages mandated by the Civil Court judgment.
•In 2024, the Criminal Court acquitted PAD leaders of rebellion and terrorism but fined certain leaders 20,000 baht each for violating the Emergency Decree 2005.

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Key Entities

Organization

Airports of Thailand(AOT)ℹ️

The company seeking compensation for damages and reimbursement for payments made to airport operators.

People's Alliance for Democracy(กลุ่มพันธมิตรประชาชนเพื่อประชาธิปไตย)ℹ️

The group that closed Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in 2008 and was ordered to pay damages.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body that resolved to compensate airport operators with a budget of over 1,000 million baht.

Law

Peace Act(พ.ร.บ. สันติสุข)

The law being reviewed by AOT's legal team to see if it affects compensation claims.

Emergency Decree 2005(พ.ร.ก.ฉุกเฉิน พ.ศ. 2548)

The law under which certain PAD leaders were fined 20,000 baht by the Criminal Court in 2024.

Place

Suvarnabhumi Airport(สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ)ℹ️

One of the airports closed by the People's Alliance for Democracy in 2008.

Don Mueang(ดอนเมือง)ℹ️

One of the airports closed by the People's Alliance for Democracy in 2008.

Person

Chamlong Srimuang(พล.ต.จำลอง ศรีเมือง)ℹ️

A leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy ordered to jointly pay damages to AOT.

Sondhi Limthongkul(นายสนธิ ลิ้มทองกุล)ℹ️

A leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy ordered to jointly pay damages to AOT.

Paweena(นางสาวปวีณา)

The person providing information regarding the legal cases and court rulings.