Thaksin Linked To Wife's Suspect Land Deal Under Investigation

[slimdog]

Subcommittee wants Bt772 million paid by former premier's wife to be held while case pursued: Udom

I would be interested to know exactly where this money is supposed to come from. As the auction was held nearly 4 years ago, the money has long since been given over to the BOT and in turn passed onto the government..

Things are looking up. By the way I have not heard about PTV this week. Does anyone know what they are planning?

Metropolitan police chief Adisorn Nonsi said several groups are preparing to stage protest rallies against the CNS, the government and the draft constitution, with some taking place today. They include the Pirap Khao (White Dove) group, executives of the banned PTV station, and the Saturday Opposition Group Against the Coup.

source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/04May2007_news05.php

However, there was still no confirmation yesterday of a report that the anti-coup Sept 19 Network would rally today outside the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda, although the group was being kept under close watch, the city police chief said.

Edited May 4, 2007 by slimdog

[Tony Clifton]

Things are looking up. By the way I have not heard about PTV this week. Does anyone know what they are planning?

They may be in China again meeting with the ''boss''.

[Tony Clifton]

Things are looking up. By the way I have not heard about PTV this week. Does anyone know what they are planning?

They may be in China again meeting with the ''boss''.

...or Hong Kong

Plans for new Somkid-led party sealed in Hong Kong

Three political veterans met in Hong Kong earlier this week and agreed to form a new party designed to replace the former ruling Thai Rak Thai Party and become a force capable of forming the next government.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/05...es_30033454.php

[sriracha john]

Thaksin to 'fight hard' to keep hold of his assets

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told lawyers to "fight to the end" if the Assets Examination Committee employs "means outside the law" to seize his property, an adviser said yesterday.

"We won't allow the assets to be seized. We will use the courts to fight to the end," Noppadon Pattama said.

The committee threatened to seize a Ratchadaphisek plot - purchased by Thaksin's wife Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra from the Financial Institution Development Fund - and the Bt772 million paid for it.

On Wednesday, Pojaman will testify before the AEC over the Shin Corp share sale, according to Noppadon.

AEC member Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka welcomed Pojaman's testimony. "She knows facts about the case and I think her appearance will benefit the investigation," she said.

Jaruvan said there would be no extra security measures for Pojaman.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

The Guinness Book of World Records has been notified of a new record-breaking attempt in the field of audacity. It's a slap in the face of Thailand:

Thaksin's wife postpones ASC testimony

Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of deposed premier Thaksin, asked to postponed her testimony to the Assets Scrutiny Committee on Shin Corp share transactions scheduled for Wednesday, saying she had other business to look after. Family lawyer Noppadol Pattama said on Tuesday that Potjaman was willing to cooperate with the ASC, but she was not available on Wednesday so she would like to reschedule the meeting. He did not explain the exact nature of Potjaman's claimed "other business," but said she was not trying to duck out of appearing. "The postponement isn't aimed at buying time because Potjaman will testify to the ASC as a witness," he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=118614

[John K]

The Guinness Book of World Records has been notified of a new record-breaking attempt in the field of audacity. It's a slap in the face of Thailand:

Thaksin's wife postpones ASC testimony

Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of deposed premier Thaksin, asked to postponed her testimony to the Assets Scrutiny Committee on Shin Corp share transactions scheduled for Wednesday, saying she had other business to look after. Family lawyer Noppadol Pattama said on Tuesday that Potjaman was willing to cooperate with the ASC, but she was not available on Wednesday so she would like to reschedule the meeting. He did not explain the exact nature of Potjaman's claimed "other business," but said she was not trying to duck out of appearing. "The postponement isn't aimed at buying time because Potjaman will testify to the ASC as a witness," he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=118614

I had a whole nice paragraph typed up on this but then I deleted it because this simply goes without words.

[cclub75]

The Guinness Book of World Records has been notified of a new record-breaking attempt in the field of audacity. It's a slap in the face of Thailand:

Thaksin's wife postpones ASC testimony

"she had other business to look after"

Indeed. But a question is burning : why do they accept to be slapped in the face. It's like Jesus Christ : they give the other cheek ! Again and again. Since last september. Almost 8 month... That's a lot of slaps.

I propose to create 2 counters.

-the "slaps in the face" counter

-and the "committees sub-committees panels sub-panels" counter

Edited May 8, 2007 by cclub75

[sriracha john]

AEC panel to seek Thaksin indictment

The AEC panel probing the Ratchadaphisek land purchase will recommend indictment of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife for anti-graft violations in what could become a landmark case.

Chairman Udom Fuangfung said yesterday that his Assets Examination Committee subcommittee has wrapped up its investigation and is determined to push for the prosecution of Thaksin and Pojaman even though they have threatened to counter-sue the AEC.

Thaksin and Pojaman will be charged with breaching Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, which prohibits government officials - even prime ministers - and their spouses from entering into or having interests in contracts with state agencies under their supervision.

Udom said that if the case goes to court, the legal dispute over whether Thaksin had the power to oversee the Financial Institutions Development Fund - which sold the property to Pojaman - would determine if the anti-graft law could be fully enforced.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Pojaman objects to talk of land seizure

Lawyers for Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of the former prime minister, will submit a letter of objection

today over statements made by an Assets Examination Commission (AEC) panel chairman Udom Fuangfung - that land on Ratchadaphisek that Pojaman bought may be seized.

Pichit Chuenban, the authorised lawyer for Pojaman, said Udom's statement that his panel would recommend that the court seize the land was "unlawful and lacked morality".

He said if Pojaman were poor and had to place the plot with a bank as collateral, no bank would accept the land. "This statement has caused damage to Pojaman," he claimed.

Udom said that Pojaman could sell the Ratchadaphisek plot now, because the AEC could not seize it until a court ruled that she had committed an offence. If Pojaman sold the land during court hearings - and the court ruled that she committed an offence - the land would still be confiscated.

- The Nation

[farangsay]

Pojaman objects to talk of land seizure

Lawyers for Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of the former prime minister, will submit a letter of objection

today over statements made by an Assets Examination Commission (AEC) panel chairman Udom Fuangfung - that land on Ratchadaphisek that Pojaman bought may be seized.

Pichit Chuenban, the authorised lawyer for Pojaman, said Udom's statement that his panel would recommend that the court seize the land was "unlawful and lacked morality".

He said if Pojaman were poor and had to place the plot with a bank as collateral, no bank would accept the land. "This statement has caused damage to Pojaman," he claimed.

Udom said that Pojaman could sell the Ratchadaphisek plot now, because the AEC could not seize it until a court ruled that she had committed an offence. If Pojaman sold the land during court hearings - and the court ruled that she committed an offence - the land would still be confiscated.

- The Nation

I hear some live in hope

Edited May 10, 2007 by farangsay

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's wife files suit against Nam

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's wife Pojaman has filed a criminal suit against graft buster Nam Yimyaem, on charges relating to abuse of power to frame her and her husband for alleged graft violations, their lawyer said Friday.

"The legal action against Nam is deemed necessary after a telephone call (from Pojaman) expressing concern about the threat to seize her Ratchadaphisek plot before commencing trial," Pichit Banchuen said.

"Nam has tried to raise frame-up charges against Thaksin and Pojaman even though concerned authorities, such as the Financial Institution Development Fund (FIDF), have no intent to file a complaint of alleged wrongdoing involving the two," he added.

Pichit said Nam harboured "grudges" against his clients and used his position as chairman of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to exact his revenge.

The Criminal Court has set July 23 for a first hearing on the case, he said in reference to the court proceedings to determine whether the case would merit the judicial review.

He said Thaksin's defence team has also filed a complaint asking Nam to remove himself from all graft probes involving the two.

- The Nation

Edited May 11, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Delay... stall... postpone... sue... review...

Thaksin, wife seeking review of land inquiry

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Potjaman, yesterday asked an inquiry panel on the Ratchada land purchase to review its conclusion to be handed over to the ASC next Monday. The couple asked their lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, to submit a petition to the head of the inquiry team, Udom Fuangfung, on their behalf. Mr Pichit said the petition was prompted by a report that the inquiry committee was to recommend seizure of 772 million baht. The inquiry panel found Mr Thaksin and his wife in the wrong over the 772-million-baht land deal and is set to recommend seizure of the money. Mr Thaksin and his wife also lodged a complaint seeking the removal of Nam Yimyaem as ASC chairman, said Mr Pichit. They accused the ASC chairman of trying to influence the inquiry panel's judgement in the probe, said the lawyer. Early yesterday, Mr Pichit also filed a complaint with the Criminal Court accusing Mr Nam of abuse of authority in his investigatory role into the land deal.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/12May2007_news14.php

[sriracha john]

The AEC is also scheduled today to consider its fact-finding committee's proposal to indict Thaksin and his wife Pojaman for her Ratchadaphisek land purchase.

However, chairman of the fact-finding committee, Udom Fuangfung, said the AEC must first consider whether to accept their rebuttals. Thaksin and his wife Pojaman let their lawyer, Pichit Chuenban, rebut the sub-committee's conclusion and Udom's remark that the land could be seized.

Pichit said Udom's statement that the panel would recommend the court seize the land was "unlawful and lacked morality".

Udom said the AEC did not force the Financial Institutions Development Fund, a branch of the Bank of Thailand (BOT) that sold the land to Pojaman, to file a complaint against the accused people but the BOT governor had agreed to file a complaint based on the panel's conclusion.

He said Thaksin did watch over the FIDF when he was in the post. If he didn't, he would not have claimed many of his accomplishments by praising the FIDF in his weekly radio programmes.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Separately, a special government committee recommended Monday that Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, be prosecuted over her purchase of land in Bangkok at a favorable price from a semi-official agency.

In the real estate case, the Assets Examination Committee decided to recommend to prosecutors that Thaksin and his wife be brought before the Supreme Court on charges of conflict of interest and malfeasance.

The case involves Pojaman's 2003 purchase of some prime Bangkok real estate from the Financial Institutions Development Fund, a state rescue fund directed by the central bank.

An anti-corruption law bars prime ministers or their spouses from doing business with a government agency, and the Assets Examination Committee said Thaksin as prime minister ultimately oversaw the FIDF.

The conflict of interest and malfeasance charges each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

If the prosecutor agrees to take the case and the court accepts it, a special section of the Supreme Court that handles cases of political office holders would hear it, and its ruling would be final.

- Associated Press

[sriracha john]

the beginning...

Thaksin faces criminal charges

ASC to hand over case to prosecutors

The ASC yesterday agreed to proceed with corruption and criminal charges against deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Potjaman, and to hand the case over to the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) for prosecution. The charges relate to the 772-million-baht purchase of land on Ratchadaphisek road from the FIDF in 2003. The ASC has handled 13 corruption allegations against the Thaksin administration since it was appointed by the coup makers last year. This is the first time it has managed to lay a case for the prosecution of the ousted prime minister before the attorney-general. It could pave the way for Mr Thaksin to return to the country to fight the charges in court, pending a decision by the CNS. Potjaman, her brother and her secretary already face a tax evasion charge over the transfer of Shin Corp shares. The ASC ruled that Mr Thaksin and his wife broke the NCC Act in buying the 33 rai of land in a prime area on Ratchadaphisek road. The ASC rejected a written defence of the couple submitted by their lawyers.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15May2007_news01.php

Edited May 14, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

CORRUPTION DECISION

Criminal case looms nearer over land deal

AEC to press for charges against Thaksin, wife over Ratchadaphisek property sale

The office of the Attorney General will be asked to file a criminal graft case against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman in regard to her controversial land purchase in 2003, the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) decided yesterday.

The case will be filed with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang told reporters after the panel's meeting yesterday evening.

The AEC agreed that Thaksin and Pojaman had violated Articles 100 and 122 of the anti-corruption law, which are aimed at preventing conflicts of interest involving political office holders, and some clauses in the Penal Code, Sak said at a press briefing after the meeting.

The panel also agreed with a proposal from its subcommittee investigating the matter that the block in question and the Bt772 million paid for the land should be seized, the spokesman said.

The AEC argued that as the purchase was unlawful, right of ownership remained with the government's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF). And, money used to commit the alleged wrongdoing should be seized.

Pojaman won the bidding for the property in question, located on Ratchadaphisek Road, in 2003, while her hus-band was prime minister.

Sak said panel members discussed all the important legal issues involved in the case at the meeting yesterday before making their decisions.

It was agreed that as a public office holder and supervisor of the FIDF, Thaksin had violated the anti-graft law for allowing his spouse to be engaged in a deal with the state, as it was a conflict of interest. And Pojaman was an accomplice in the wrongdoing, the spokesman said.

Also, Thaksin's written permission as a spouse, allowing Pojaman to bid for the land, pointed to their joint intention to enter into the agreement.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Thaksin and his wife warned not to use delaying tactics

Attorney General Pachara Yutidhammadamrong said Monday that public prosecutors would rule on the Ratchadaphisek land deal based on the evidence, and reminded the accused - former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman - not to resort to delaying tactics.

"Prosecutors are ready to dispense justice by reviewing the defence petition rebutting the charges, although they will not allow any attempts to delay the start of the trial," he said.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) is scheduled to forward its report on the controversial land deal by Thursday, and prosecutors have been notified that the defence team for Pojaman will petition for the charges be dropped, he said.

"The defence petition should raise specific questions on the graft probe leading to indictments instead of abusing the defence's right of rebuttal in order to buy time," he said.

In an earlier tax case relating to a share transaction between Pojaman and her brother Bhanapot Damapong, the defence invoked the right to rebut the charges before the issuing of the prosecution order, he said.

In that rebuttal, prosecutors found the defence raised no new points and that the AEC fully complied with graft proceedings, he said.

If the defence decided to repeat the tactic of filing frivolous petitions, prosecutors would proceed to rule on whether to launch litigation without factoring in such petitions, he said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Thaksin will be exonerated: lawyer

The lawyer for ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra says the corruption allegations against him have no basis.

Earlier this month, the anti-graft body set up by the military-run government ruled that Mr Thaksin and his wife should face charges over what it says was an illegal land deal in 2003.

Speaking to Radio Australia's Rob Sharp, lawyer Nopodom Pattama said Mr Thaksin is confident that if charges are laid, he will be exonerated.

"The charges, most of them, or all of them, are politically motivated," he said.

"A lawyer could look at the evidence and could say that there is no substance or legal basis for the charge."

- Radio Australia

[John K]

Thaksin and his wife warned not to use delaying tactics

Attorney General Pachara Yutidhammadamrong said Monday that public prosecutors would rule on the Ratchadaphisek land deal based on the evidence, and reminded the accused - former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman - not to resort to delaying tactics.

"Prosecutors are ready to dispense justice by reviewing the defence petition rebutting the charges, although they will not allow any attempts to delay the start of the trial," he said.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) is scheduled to forward its report on the controversial land deal by Thursday, and prosecutors have been notified that the defence team for Pojaman will petition for the charges be dropped, he said.

"The defence petition should raise specific questions on the graft probe leading to indictments instead of abusing the defence's right of rebuttal in order to buy time," he said.

In an earlier tax case relating to a share transaction between Pojaman and her brother Bhanapot Damapong, the defence invoked the right to rebut the charges before the issuing of the prosecution order, he said.

In that rebuttal, prosecutors found the defence raised no new points and that the AEC fully complied with graft proceedings, he said.

If the defence decided to repeat the tactic of filing frivolous petitions, prosecutors would proceed to rule on whether to launch litigation without factoring in such petitions, he said.

- The Nation

It is about time they played the no BS card.

[Jai Dee]

AEC to reveal details of investigation into Ratchadaphisek land deal

President of the Subcommittee scrutinizing the Ratchadaphisek land purchase under the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), Udom Feungfung, (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), affirms the subcommittee will reveal details of the case’s investigation to the public.

Mr Udom says details of the investigation will benefit the public’s judgment on AEC’s performance and help it decide whether AEC has investigated the case fairly or holds prejudices against anyone.

The deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, are the alleged persons of the Ratchadiphek land purchase case. AEC has already forwarded the case to the Office of the Auditor General to file charges against the couple.

Reagrding Mr Thaksin’s lawyer, Phichit Cheunban (พิชิต ชื่นบาน), who earlier said that the announcement of the investigation’s details is unfair for Mr Thaksin and his wife, Mr Udom says AEC has discussed the matter with the Office of the Auditor General which affirms the announcement can be made. He speculates that the alleged do not want AEC to reveal details of the investigation as they do not want the public to know the truth.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 22 May 2007

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's lawyers threaten to sue if investigation detail revealed

Lawyers for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday threatened legal action if the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) discloses a report of its investigation into the controversial Ratchadaphisek land purchase.

AEC subcommittee chairman Udom Fuangfung said he would reveal the contents of the investigation to demonstrate there had been no harassment, especially of Thaksin.

He was surprised Thaksin's lawyer Pichit Chuenban opposed the move, saying no party associated with the case would suffer damage because of it. Pichit argued disclosure could be prejudicial to the case.

"There is no law that bans us from publicly revealing the investigation file. [The defence] should welcome the move because it can use the information in court," Udom said.

"I do not understand what they are afraid of or why they fear the truth being revealed,'' he said.

Udom said he would publicly reveal the report after submitting it to prosecutors tomorrow.

Pichit strongly opposed the move because the matter was about to go to court.

"No one can know what the reaction will be if the investigation file is revealed. People may be misled because of one-sided information from the AEC.

"If that is the case, the accused will have been prejudiced,'' he said.

- The Nation

[Jai Dee]

AEC forwards land deal to the Attorney-General's Office for further prosecution

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has already forwarded Khunying Pojamarn Shinawatra (พจมาน ชินวัตร)’s Ratchadapisek land deal to the Attorney-General’s Office for prosecution.

The Spokesperson to the Attorney General's Office, Mr. Athapol Yhaisawang (อรรถพล ใหญ่สว่าง), affirms the Attorney General’s Office will reveal the investigation progress to the media.

Both of Khunying Pojaman, the ex-PM Thaksin Shinnawatra’s wife, and the ex-PM is required to come to the Supreme Court for giving their testimony on the first day of the investigation. The court will issue arrest warrant against Dr. Thaksin if he refuses to come.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 May 2007

[sriracha john]

AEC forwards land deal to the Attorney-General's Office for further prosecution

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has already forwarded Pojamarn Shinawatra’s Ratchadapisek land deal to the Attorney-General’s Office for prosecution.

Both Pojaman, the ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s wife, and the ex-PM is required to come to the Supreme Court for giving their testimony on the first day of the investigation. The court will issue arrest warrant against Thaksin if he refuses to come.

Well... there it is. Thaksin has said many times that he will voluntarily return to face charges... and the Government and CNS have said they would allow him to return if it was deemed necessary by the Courts.... So I guess it's...

"See You Soon, Thakky"

[John K]

Thaksin's lawyers threaten to sue if investigation detail revealed

Lawyers for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday threatened legal action if the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) discloses a report of its investigation into the controversial Ratchadaphisek land purchase.

AEC subcommittee chairman Udom Fuangfung said he would reveal the contents of the investigation to demonstrate there had been no harassment, especially of Thaksin.

He was surprised Thaksin's lawyer Pichit Chuenban opposed the move, saying no party associated with the case would suffer damage because of it. Pichit argued disclosure could be prejudicial to the case.

"There is no law that bans us from publicly revealing the investigation file. [The defence] should welcome the move because it can use the information in court," Udom said.

"I do not understand what they are afraid of or why they fear the truth being revealed,'' he said.

Udom said he would publicly reveal the report after submitting it to prosecutors tomorrow.

Pichit strongly opposed the move because the matter was about to go to court.

"No one can know what the reaction will be if the investigation file is revealed. People may be misled because of one-sided information from the AEC.

"If that is the case, the accused will have been prejudiced,'' he said.

- The Nation

This is a new one. Let me see if I understand this correctly. The AEC want to show how they connected all the dots to make a picture. However does Thaksin object to the picture or the process? That part I am not clear on. Any input?

[sriracha john]

No Thaksin, no trial, says Attorney-General

The prosecution will ask that the trial of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra be suspended if he fails to appear in court to defend himself in the Ratchadapisek land purchase case, said Attorney-General Patchara Yutithamdamrong. Mr Patchara said the arraignment can proceed in Mr Thaksin's absence, but the former leader is required to be present in the first hearing of witnesses. Mr Patchara made the comment after the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) handed over a report on the land purchase to the Office of the Attorney-General. Mr Patchara said the final say rests with the Supreme Court's Political Crime Section to decide whether or not the trial should be suspended. According to Mr Patchara, the Attorney-General's Office has set up a 10-man committee headed by Deputy Attorney-General Somsak Boonthong to review the ASC's report. He said that a decision on whether or not to indict the couple is expected within three weeks.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/25May2007_news11.php

[sriracha john]

Time for Thaksin to face the music

His lawyers' bid to keep documents related to land deal sealed flies in face of his constant pleas of innocence

Thaksin Shinawatra's legal defence strategy regarding the corruption cases he is facing has been impressive - until last week, that is.

The Thai public can only wonder what the Thaksin camp was so afraid of when one of his lawyers threatened legal action in a bid to block a move by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to make public investigation details of the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.

The apparent paranoia only serves to arouse or rekindle interest in something that has been debated inside and out. If anything, the legal threat goes against the key defence approach, which the ousted prime minister has applied rather successfully.

"Where's the evidence?" the Thaksin camp has always been asking. This has become something of a rallying cry, with many sympathetic foreign editorials and bloggers dancing to this tune. Since he was toppled in the September 19 coup, Thaksin has been claming the corruption charges against him are all lies. He wanted the world to demand proof. He always argued that what he did while in power was legal and constitutional. But when evidence purported to show that he did break the law is about to be shown, Thaksin is crying foul.

Strategically, advanced knowledge of what the investigators have should benefit Thaksin. It should help his lawyers make necessary preparations. They would be able to know what documents the investigators feel are important, and what laws and regulations are being used against him. The only drawback, being blown out of proportion by his lawyers, is the bad publicity this will result in for the accused. But the other side of the coin is that the military junta and the interim government could have put him and his family through a summary probe, declared them guilty as sin one month after the coup and seized a large portion of their assets.

Thaksin and his lawyers should instead welcome this great opportunity to put everything on the table and let the people be the judge. If he is certain that there was nothing legally wrong with the purchase of the state-auctioned Ratchadaphisek land by his wife while he was prime minister, Thaksin should welcome the chance to know exactly why investigators do not agree. He should welcome the chance to scrutinise all evidence and inform the public which parts are "lies".

His lawyers are citing principles of criminal justice and repeatedly emphasising the rights of the suspects. They said the plan to make the investigation file public violated the rights of the accused. According to them, what the AEC is planning to do "is beyond the tradition of law". Coming from lawyers of a former leader under whose reign hundreds of drug suspects were shot dead without even being formally charged, this is simply ironic.

This is not a case where anyone can easily "plant" anything. His accusers have simple matters to prove: Was Thaksin aware of his wife's bid for the state land? And, if so, did that break the law? It's all about legal interpretation and documents that could never be doctored. If Thaksin thinks the investigators are misinterpreting the laws or the constitution, his lawyers can publicly rebut them in an instant. What makes him so scared, then?

It's time Thaksin faces legal accusations head-on, like a man. His tendency to politicise every case - trying to make them look like part of a conspiracy against him - was a major reason why Thailand ended up in this crisis. Instead of proving to Parliament and showing beyond a doubt that the Shin Corp-Temasek deal was not subject to tax, he chose to dissolve Parliament, hoping to win another election and thus get away with it. No corruption charges involving his family or Cabinet members had a chance to go through proper channels.

There were times in the past when the government collapsed simply because politicians bought plots of land set aside for farmers. Under him, the first family could do tricky share transfers to evade taxes and manage business transactions with the state despite the laws prohibiting it.

The Ratchadaphisek land case involved only about Bt700 million, but how it came about underlined most of the things that defied democratic principles while he was empowered. Instead of avoiding evidence like the plague, he should welcome the chance to confront it. We challenge him to prove he is right and his accusers wrong on this one.

- The Nation Editorial

[sriracha john]

Pojaman and children abroad

Sources report Wednesday that Pojaman Shinawatra and her children are abroad.

The Shinawatras are reportedly worried about the uncertain situation in the country. The Constitution Tribunal was now reading a verdict on the fate of Thai Rak Thai party.

Pojaman's husband, Thaksin, has found this party. Thaksin and Thai Rak Thai were popular until he was ousted from the premiership in September coup last year.

The sources said Pojaman and her children left the country last Friday.

The Nation

[John K]

So will they be back?

[CL0R0X]

on the same subject...

Suriya Jungrungreangkit sent his lawyer Friday to give written testimony to the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) about corruption allegations concerning the purchase of CTX bomb-detectors for Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Paiboon Termwat arrived at the AEC in the morning in a bid to postpone Suriya's testimony before Amnuay Thantara, the chairman of the AEC subcommittee probing the allegations.

He said his client "was being hospitalised in the United States" and asked to postpone the testimony.

However, Amnuay's panel objected to the request, saying Suriya has already postponed giving testimony twice.

Paiboon then left, but returned later with a document containing Suriya's written defence against the corruption allegations.

aren't that a coincident, criminal mind think alike.

Edited June 1, 2007 by CL0R0X

[John K]

I would say yes on this except one is a leader and the other is a follower. If it is good for the boss to be on the run.........