The first bogus deal involving 2.19 million tonnes of rice resulted in an estimated Bt9.7-billion financial damage to the state. When two other fake deals were included, the state suffered financial damage estimated at a total of Bt16.9 billion. The high court also ordered Apichart, Siam Indiga and others to pay Bt16.9 billion compensation to the state. All 4 G-to-G deals were invalidThe high court held a total of 20 hearings on this case with 27 witnesses provided by the public prosecutors and 103 witnesses provided by the defendants. A lawyer for Boonsong yesterday also submitted a request to the court for a temporary release of the ex-minister.

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 25, 2017 18:00 UTC