Khon Kaen: MP Ekarat has requested a postponement of the court proceedings in the significant 431 million baht Khon Kaen Teachers’ Savings Cooperative fraud case, claiming illness and hospitalization as the reasons for his absence.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ekkarat, who serves as the MP for Khon Kaen District 4, awaits the Khon Kaen Provincial Court’s decision on whether to delay the reading of the verdict once more. He has informed his legal representative that he has been admitted to Phyathai 2 Hospital in Bangkok due to severe bronchitis and sinusitis.
The Khon Kaen Provincial Court had planned to read the verdict in the case initiated by the public prosecutor and Mr. Suthon Sonkhamkaew, a lawyer, against Mr. Ekkarat Changlao, previously a manager of the cooperative, on charges of embezzlement and forgery involving the 431 million baht cooperative fraud. The charges span activities between 2011 and 2019.
At the scheduled time of 9:00 a.m., Mr. Ekarat’s lawyer requested a postponement, citing his client’s health issues. However, the plaintiff argued that Mr. Ekarat’s condition was not severe enough to prevent him from attending court. The court deliberated for over two hours and instructed the defendant to provide a medical opinion confirming the severity of his condition by 2:30 p.m. The court set another hearing for the parties at that time.
Mr. Anusart Sonsilphong, Chairman of the Khon Kaen Teachers Savings Cooperative Limited, disclosed that a new complaint was filed against Mr. Ekkarat and associates for property theft. The NACC, currently investigating Mr. Ekkarat’s financial dealings, provided evidence indicating a transfer of 201 million baht into his account without board approval. Although the money was later returned to the cooperative, it resulted in damages exceeding 36 million baht, including interest.
The reporter noted that the Khon Kaen Provincial Court had previously postponed the verdict reading to December 18, 2024, due to Mr. Ekarat’s attendance at a House of Representatives meeting. If the court grants another postponement today, the conclusion of the House of Representatives meeting may be scheduled after April 10.