PLANB Denies “Baseless” Accusation, Claiming Legal Process on the Bidding

Plan B Media Public Company Limited (PLANB) has released the explanations regarding the lawsuit against Pol.Gen. Somyot Poompanmoung, president of the Football Association of Thailand under Patronage of His Majesty the King (FA Thailand) that contains claims that may allegedly cause damage to FA Thailand for the benefit of PLANB. 

PLANB confirmed that the accusation is baseless and would like to clarify factual details on the following key items:

1. The bidding process was in accordance with the invitation to bid. PLANB tendered the offer with a bank guarantee of the Commercial Bank with the amount of THB 450 million to FA Thailand and another THB 450 million to Premiere League (Thailand) Company Limited. PLANB won the bidding with the highest offer among 3 bidders.
2. The contract entering process was in strict compliance with the invitation and requirements stipulated by FA Thailand. PLANB offered a bank guarantee of the Commercial Bank with the amount of THB 250 million to FA Thailand and another THB 260 million guarantee to Premiere League (Thailand) Company Limited (later this contractual party was changed to Thai League Company Limited) according to the guarantee limit of minimum revenue. The verifiable evidence is present.
3. Throughout this undertaking, PLANB has performed its duties in managing rights for FA Thailand and Thai League Company Limited according to the contract by consistently generating and delivering revenue of more than the minimum requirements as well as providing collaterals until 2020 which is the last year of the contract. There was no damage done to FA Thailand or Thai League and PLANB conducted marketing through various advertising media with summary reports submitted to FA Thailand on an annual basis.

4. The accusation against PLANB on receiving right management compensation of THB 136 million from backdating the contract through the contract of Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited is false. During that mentioned period, FA Thailand was under process of changing the management team and there was no one responsible for right management. PLANB has won the bidding and FA Thailand appointed PLANB as its official agent to manage rights for sponsors as stated in the mutual agreement. This is not considered a revenue sharing according to the existing contract of Siam Sport in any way.

PLANB as well firmly adhered to upright business conduct including bidding process and has trust in its performance for FA Thailand, moveover PLANB stated that the company has delivered revenue higher than mutually agreed minimum requirements and executed effective marketing plans. Throughout the past 3 years, PLANB has been developing content through online channels, advertising media and activities with the purpose to promote Thai football of Thai people to be accepted at international level. PLANB hit the record number of viewers for the Thai national football team in the history and gained over a million followers on social media platforms.

Therefore, PLANB strongly believes that its performance and efforts in supporting Thai sport industry throughout the years will qualify PLANB for the future biddings for right management of FA Thailand. 

In regard to the false accusation that caused damage to the image and reputation of PLANB as well as investors’ confidence, PLANB has a plan to take legal actions and recover damages according to its legal rights. This will be later clarified and proved in court.