A Thai appeals court has reduced the fine imposed on Philip Morris (Thailand) for customs violations to 121 million baht ($3.53 million), the Bangkok Post reported.
In November 2019, the country's criminal court found the tobacco giant guilty of tax evasion on cigarettes imported from the Philippines and ordered the company to pay a fine of 1.2 billion baht.
While upholding the guilty verdict, the appeals court on June 1 reduced the fine and directed the authorities to pay rewards for information leading to an arrest.
Prosecutors filed charges against Philip Morris (Thailand) and seven of its employees in 2016, alleging inaccurate price declarations for cigarettes imported from the Philippines between July 2003 and June 2006. The defendants deny the charges.
According to the lawsuit, Philip Morris (Thailand) set the price of L&M cigarettes imported from the Philippines at 5.88 baht, while other importers declared the price of the same brand cigarettes at 6.81 baht per pack.
The tobacco company also allegedly declared cost, insurance and freight of 7.76 baht per pack of Marlboro imported from the Philippines, much lower than the 27.46 baht reported by other importers.