December 19, 2023

Thai pork importer files lawsuit against government for damages

A Thai pork importer is pursuing a lawsuit against Thailand's Department of Livestock Development (DLD), seeking THB 4.73 million (US$135,000) in damages, allegedly incurred due to the DLD's ongoing investigation into pork smuggling in the country, The Nation reported.

The Department of Livestock Development is actively collaborating with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) on both criminal and civil cases related to 41 shipping containers of smuggled pork seized at Laem Chabang Port.

Boriboon Laorpaksin, the director of Sikhantin Trading and Smile Top K Enterprise, the two companies under investigation by the DSI, has initiated legal action against the DLD at the Central Administration Court.

The charges against the two companies involve violations of customs and animal epidemic laws. During questioning by the DSI earlier this month, Boriboon denied those charges.

The lawsuit contends that the DLD's seizure of 41 containers of frozen pork, valued at THB 248 million (US$7 million), was unjust as the companies had allegedly adhered to customs regulations. It seeks compensation of THB 4,739,880.20 (US$135,000), along with an annual interest rate of 3%.

The legal action urges the court to overturn the DLD's order prohibiting the two companies from importing animals or meat into the country while the investigation into pork smuggling remains ongoing.

Officials from the Department of Special Investigation reveal that since 2020, smugglers have illicitly brought in 2,385 containers of pork, totalling around THB 3 billion (US$85 million).

-      The Nation