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Former Thai Airways exec jailed for dodging excess baggage fees

Friday, 27 November 20203 min read
Former Thai Airways exec jailed for dodging excess baggage fees

A former chairman of Thai Airways was sentenced to two years in prison for failing to pay for excess baggage fees dating back more than a decade.

Wallop Bhukkanasut was convicted after being prosecuted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

During an inbound flight from Japan in 2009, he ordered airline staff to ignore 300kg of excess baggage weight so he could avoid paying the fees.

The Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct said Wallop abused his authority.

The court also accused Wallop of accepting gifts from a private firm during the same trip.

He was investigated the following year and ordered to pay the excess baggage fee but then resigned his position.

Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor