Court ruling gives way to new Tesco Lotus in Lamai

THE Administrative Court in Bangkok has ruled in favor of Tesco Lotus in its dispute with the Koh Samui municipality over the construction of a supermarket in Maret subdistrict, it was learned.

Ek-Chai Distribution System Co. Ltd., which is in charge of Tesco Lotus in Samui, sued Koh Samui Mayor Varakorn Rattanarak after the latter refused to issue a permit allowing the construction of a new supermarket in Maret even though Tesco Lotus had already followed all laws and regulations.

Tesco Lotus claimed that the municipal government had neglected its duty to provide justice to the company. The Administrative Court sided with Lotus Tesco, noting that the municipality had failed to act according to the law.

This means that the project of Tesco Lotus in Lamai, Maret subdistrict, will continue after being suspended by the municipality which reasoned that too many branches of Tesco Lotus was not good for the island and the business of local people.