Thai PM hit with 50-million-baht lawsuit from angry restaurant operators

The Thai PM is being sued for 50 million baht by a restaurant group which is also representing 39 other restaurant operators. The Bangkok Post reports that the Never Ending Summer Co has filed a class-action suit against Prayut Chan-o-cha, seeking compensation for financial losses endured as a result of the government’s alleged mismanagement of Covid-19.

The Civil Court issued a statement to confirm receipt of the lawsuit, with an online hearing via Zoom scheduled to take place on November 9. According to the court, restaurant operators say the temporary closure of eateries under the emergency decree did nothing to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

“According to the petition, it is asserted that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had declared the nationwide emergency situation under the Covid-19 pandemic and had acted wilfully or negligently, resulting in several disease clusters.”

The restaurant operators go on to say that the government’s procurement of vaccines, antigen test kits, and medication to relieve Covid-19 symptoms was inadequate, naming the Public Health Ministry, Interior Ministry and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in the lawsuit. The group says it arrived at the figure of 50 million baht compensation based on calculations from March 17, 2020, when Covid-19 first began to take hold in the country.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post