Rolls-Royce to provide details to THAI over bribery

BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) -- Rolls-Royce on Friday will provide details to Thai Airways International (THAI) over allegations of bribery in the purchase of engines from the British engineering company. Thailand is one of the seven countries named by the United Kingdom’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO), which found conspiracy to corrupt or failure to prevent bribery by Rolls-Royce. THAI President Charamporn Jotikasthira met with Minister of Transport Arkhom Termpittayapaisith on Thursday to report on the issue one day after the national flag carrier launched a probe into the allegation. Media reports say Rolls-Royce paid more than $36 million between 1991 and 2005 to agents to help it secure three separate contracts to supply Trent aero engines to THAI. Mr Charamporn said the committee would consider Rolls-Royce’s information and will announce primary result of the investigation within 30 days. The SFO also revealed 12 counts of conspiracy to corrupt or failure to prevent bribery in six other countries – Indonesia, India, Russia, Nigeria, China and Malaysia. Mr Arkhom said he also discussed with the THAI President on transparency in procurement and measures needed to prevent irregularities in the future. He assured that if the probe indicates wrongdoings by past or present THAI executives they would be prosecuted without exemption. (TNA)