The Finance Ministry was assigned by the Cabinet to approach the court again, Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday.

The government would attempt to prove that the NVPSKG consortium of contractors had distorted facts and been instrumental in the irregularity involving state officials.

This was a new piece of information that would be cited in seeking a retrial, he said.

In 2014, the Supreme Administrative Court ordered the Pollution Control Department (PCD) to pay compensation to the consortium for damages caused by its cancellation of the project. The first of three instalments of the compensation has already been paid. However, the Criminal Court sentenced three former PCD officials last December, including its ex-chief, to 20 years in jail each for malfeasance for their involvement in the project. And earlier this month, the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) resolved to confiscate the money to be paid to the consortium in the second and third instalments, arguing that it was earned through irregularity. The Cabinet yesterday endorsed the AMLO’s action and resolved not to pay the second and third instalments, the spokesman said.

He said the consortium would need to explain to the AMLO within 30 days why they deserved to get the compensation. A satisfactory explanation would result in payment of the remaining instalments.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the government was “taking a risk” in resolving to suspend payment. He said the Cabinet was convinced AMLO had the power to confiscate the money. “But we will have to pay them more compensation if a court agrees with the consortium in their case against us.”