German court releases Crown Prince's jet

A German court has released the impounded Boeing 737 aircraft owned by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Werner Schneider, the insolvency administrator, seized the Boeing 737 in Munich on July 11 to force the Thai government to comply with an international arbitration panel ruling in 2009 for it to compensate Walter Bau AG.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to former foreign minister Kasit Piromya, also confirmed the release of the plane.
The German court's decision came after the Thai government agreed to provide a letter of guarantee for 38 million euros (about 1.61 billion baht) to secure the plane's release, he said.
After the payment, the German court no longer had the authority to impound the aircraft, Mr Chavanond said.
Walter Bau AG has demanded the Thai government pay compensation for alleged damages related to the Don Muang Tollway project.
The Thai embassy in Germany has been working with local authorities for the release of the aircraft from Munich airport, he said.