Thailand’s Central Administrative Court dismissed an application today (Wednesday), by the Transport Ministry and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), for a stay of execution of the ruling, by the Supreme Administrative Court, ordering the two state agencies to pay Hopewell (Thailand) Company 24 billion baht in compensation for the cancellation of the elevated highway and rail project about 20 years ago.

The court ruled that the application for a stay of execution did not meet the criteria for a stay, citing the fact that both state agencies had challenged the order of the Supreme Administrative Court in the Constitutional Court and had asked the Administrative Court to invalidate the registration of Hopewell Thailand Company.

The court also said that there is no law empowering the court to grant a stay, particularly in a case which has already received a final ruling from the Supreme Administrative Court.

According to the Supreme Administrative Court’s order, the Transport Ministry and the SRT must jointly pay the compensation within 180 days of the court’s order.