AEC Freezes Thaksin's Assets, Proceeds From Shin Corp Sale

[Jai Dee]

AEC freezes Banpot's shares

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has decided to freeze additional shares owned by Mr. Banpot Damapong (บรรณพจน์ ดามาพงศ์), the brother of the ex-PM’s wife Khunying Pojaman Shinnawatra. The shares are estimated at 2,682 million baht.

The AEC Chairman Nam Yimyam (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม) discloses after the AEC meeting that the AEC has reached a conclusion to freeze Mr. Banpot’s shares, including 28.9 million shares of the Kasikorn Bank, 15.9 million shares of SC Assets Corporation Company (SC), and 57 million shares of the Thanachart Insurance Co. Ltd (TCAP).

Mr. Banpot can submit petition to the AEC within 60 days.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Office of the Attorney General reports that precise whereabouts of Mr. Thaksin remains unknown

The Spokesperson to the Office of the Attorney General, Mr. Athapol Yaisawang, reports that the whereabouts of suspects involved in the Ratchdapisek land procurement case are currently unknown.

Mr. Athapol revealed that actual whereabouts of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjamarn Shinawatra with regards to the Ratchadapisek land procurement case are currently unknown. The Asset Examination Committee has yet to obtain additional information on the case.

The Office of the Attorney General has coordinated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in requesting the whereabouts of Mr. Thaksin and his wife from relevant authorities. Mr. Athapol reports that Mr. Thaksin is somewhere in Britain, while Khunying Pojamarn is currently in Singapore. A more precise location is expected to be obtained by July 6th.

A general press conference will be held to report on the former Prime Minister's condition on July 9th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 July 2007

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's woes continue to mount like a MF'er...

BREAKING NEWS

Thaksin case against ASC dismissed

The Criminal Court dismissed a case filed by a company owned by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman against Assets Scrutiny Committee on an accusation that the panel unlawfully froze their assets. Worth Supply Co filed the case against the ASC on June 29, accusing the 11-member panel of acting illegally in freezing bank accounts of the couple that they believe were part of the funds they received from Shin Corp share sale to Temasek. The court said the ASC did not act illegally in the case as the Council for Democratic Reform gave the panel power to scrutinise assets of the ousted premier. The court said the couple can prove their innocence by.......

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=119933

============================================

awwwww... what a shame....

[sriracha john]

Court rejects challenge to AEC's asset freeze

The Criminal Court yesterday threw out a lawsuit filed by a company linked to frozen assets of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, saying the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) had a mandate to act on suspicious wealth.

"The AEC is empowered to freeze assets if it has cause to suspect corruption or abuse of power," the court said in its verdict.

If any party with assets that had been frozen viewed an order to impound them as unjustified, they could lodge an appeal to demonstrate honest possession of the assets in question, the court said.

Somboon Kuptimanas sued the AEC for abuse of power on June 29 after the AEC's move to freeze Thaksin's assets on June 11.

Somboon acted on behalf of Worth Supplies Co, one of five companies whose assets were frozen in the course of the graft investigation into the Winmark case involving Thaksin.

- The Nation

===================================================

Apparently when faced with what they need to do to unfreeze the assets... that is, prove honest possession of the assets, Thaksin... errr, I mean Somboon, backs off and while nervously shuffling his ... he softly and sheepishly says,

"Oh... gee... well then... if that's the situation.... uhmmm...if we have to show we are an honest company... uhmm... nevermind then."

Edited July 5, 2007 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

PM says Govt. has no plan to close down Mr Thaksin’s website

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont affirms the authority has not ordered a closure of Thaksin Shinawatra’s website through which the ex-premier will explain his allegations instead of returning to the country.

Gen.Surayud says Mr Thaksin can open the website to clarify himself but suggests that he should travel back to the country to defend himself in court. The premier also affirms that the interim government has never interfered with the justice system and assures Mr Thaksin of maximum security if he wishes to come back.

According to the prime minister, Mr Thaksin’s website is not likely to be closed down as the Council for Democratic Reform’s 5th announcement was lifted.

As for the Thai Rak Thai Group’s request to set up a political party under the same name, the premier says the matter depends on the Political Party Act which is being drafted by the Election Commission.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Deputy CNS Chairman says Mr. Thaksin is free to establish political website

The Deputy Chairman of the Council for National Security says that Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra has the right to establish a website to address details of his alleged corrupted practices.

Royal Thai Air Force Commander in Chief and Deputy Chairman of the Council for National Security Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phugpasuk (ชลิต พุกผาสุก) reported on the incident in which former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra opened a website aimed at rebutting allegations of his abuse of power and corrupted practices while in office. ACM Chalit said that Mr. Thaksin had the right to freedom of expression and no censorship of the website will be initiated.

The Deputy CNS Chairman said that Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont has coordinated with the Minister of Information and Communication Technology in monitoring Mr. Thaksin's website to ascertain whether the site's contents were appropriate. ACM Chalit called on Mr. Thaksin to return to Thailand to face criminal charges.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[hammered]

Deputy CNS Chairman says Mr. Thaksin is free to establish political website

The Deputy Chairman of the Council for National Security says that Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra has the right to establish a website to address details of his alleged corrupted practices.

Royal Thai Air Force Commander in Chief and Deputy Chairman of the Council for National Security Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phugpasuk (ชลิต พุกผาสุก) reported on the incident in which former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra opened a website aimed at rebutting allegations of his abuse of power and corrupted practices while in office. ACM Chalit said that Mr. Thaksin had the right to freedom of expression and no censorship of the website will be initiated.

The Deputy CNS Chairman said that Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont has coordinated with the Minister of Information and Communication Technology in monitoring Mr. Thaksin's website to ascertain whether the site's contents were appropriate. ACM Chalit called on Mr. Thaksin to return to Thailand to face criminal charges.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

Another sign of increasing confidence by the government and military.

[Mid]

Another sign of increasing confidence by the government and military.

or the belated realisation that they can't stop it .

[hammered]

Another sign of increasing confidence by the government and military.

or the belated realisation that they can't stop it .

or the belated realization that the only people who look at it are his ardent supporters and a few curious opponents and most have little interest, so why give extra publicity by banning it.

[Tony Clifton]

How long until a hacker defaces the website or launches a denial of service attack on it ?

[sriracha john]

Another sign of increasing confidence by the government and military.

or the belated realisation that they can't stop it .

or the belated realisation that people don't visit it much anyway.

Unless his website visitor counter is broken, I noticed it only had gone up a few hundred since the last time I visited there around 10 days ago...

[hammered]

PM promises fair trial for ousted Thaksin

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont promised on Friday that exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will get a fair trial if he returned home to face corruption charges.

"I guarantee the fairness of Thailand's justice system, without any intervention. The government has never been and will not involve at any level," Surayud told reporters.

Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup last year and faces several corruption charges, told Kyodo News in Japan that he would return home "only when the justice system goes back to normal" and he could be sure of a fair trial.

His lawyer has repeatedly said that he fears for Thaksin's safety and had advised his client not to return home until after a general election, promised by the junta by the end of the year.

"The government will do our best to look after Thaksin's safety. But it was up to Thaksin whether he returned," he said.

Thaksin's claims of unfair trial and injustice in the country have been seen by many as excuses not to return home to face corruption charges.

Surayud also said it was Thaksin's rights to launch his own website, but he should return home to defend the charges in the courts.

Thai government will not try to block Thaksin's website.

The Nation

But they just dont get it. It is not a fair trial Dear Leader wants. It is a bias trail. Bias in his favour. Like that famous asset concealment one.

[Tony Clifton]

[Old Man River]

PM promises fair trial for ousted Thaksin

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont promised on Friday that exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will get a fair trial if he returned home to face corruption charges.

"I guarantee the fairness of Thailand's justice system, without any intervention. The government has never been and will not involve at any level," Surayud told reporters.

Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup last year and faces several corruption charges, told Kyodo News in Japan that he would return home "only when the justice system goes back to normal" and he could be sure of a fair trial.

His lawyer has repeatedly said that he fears for Thaksin's safety and had advised his client not to return home until after a general election, promised by the junta by the end of the year.

"The government will do our best to look after Thaksin's safety. But it was up to Thaksin whether he returned," he said.

Thaksin's claims of unfair trial and injustice in the country have been seen by many as excuses not to return home to face corruption charges.

Surayud also said it was Thaksin's rights to launch his own website, but he should return home to defend the charges in the courts.

Thai government will not try to block Thaksin's website.

The Nation

But they just dont get it. It is not a fair trial Dear Leader wants. It is a bias trail. Bias in his favour. Like that famous asset concealment one.

It is very important that he does get a fair trial. Ten years from now, Thai's will look back at what is going on today similar to our looking back at what was going on in 1997. How will this be remembered? Public, transparent fair trials will be vital if this is going to be used as an example of what not to do going forward.

[chinthee]

PM promises fair trial for ousted Thaksin

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont promised on Friday that exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will get a fair trial if he returned home to face corruption charges.

"I guarantee the fairness of Thailand's justice system, without any intervention. The government has never been and will not involve at any level," Surayud told reporters.

Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup last year and faces several corruption charges, told Kyodo News in Japan that he would return home "only when the justice system goes back to normal" and he could be sure of a fair trial.

His lawyer has repeatedly said that he fears for Thaksin's safety and had advised his client not to return home until after a general election, promised by the junta by the end of the year.

"The government will do our best to look after Thaksin's safety. But it was up to Thaksin whether he returned," he said.

Thaksin's claims of unfair trial and injustice in the country have been seen by many as excuses not to return home to face corruption charges.

Surayud also said it was Thaksin's rights to launch his own website, but he should return home to defend the charges in the courts.

Thai government will not try to block Thaksin's website.

The Nation

But they just dont get it. It is not a fair trial Dear Leader wants. It is a bias trail. Bias in his favour. Like that famous asset concealment one.

It is very important that he does get a fair trial. Ten years from now, Thai's will look back at what is going on today similar to our looking back at what was going on in 1997. How will this be remembered? Public, transparent fair trials will be vital if this is going to be used as an example of what not to do going forward.

That's the fact, jack... Got to restart democracy somewhere.

[hammered]

PM promises fair trial for ousted Thaksin

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont promised on Friday that exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will get a fair trial if he returned home to face corruption charges.

"I guarantee the fairness of Thailand's justice system, without any intervention. The government has never been and will not involve at any level," Surayud told reporters.

Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup last year and faces several corruption charges, told Kyodo News in Japan that he would return home "only when the justice system goes back to normal" and he could be sure of a fair trial.

His lawyer has repeatedly said that he fears for Thaksin's safety and had advised his client not to return home until after a general election, promised by the junta by the end of the year.

"The government will do our best to look after Thaksin's safety. But it was up to Thaksin whether he returned," he said.

Thaksin's claims of unfair trial and injustice in the country have been seen by many as excuses not to return home to face corruption charges.

Surayud also said it was Thaksin's rights to launch his own website, but he should return home to defend the charges in the courts.

Thai government will not try to block Thaksin's website.

The Nation

But they just dont get it. It is not a fair trial Dear Leader wants. It is a bias trail. Bias in his favour. Like that famous asset concealment one.

It is very important that he does get a fair trial. Ten years from now, Thai's will look back at what is going on today similar to our looking back at what was going on in 1997. How will this be remembered? Public, transparent fair trials will be vital if this is going to be used as an example of what not to do going forward.

Totally agree with this. I was actaully just joking about previous now exposed influence that was used to let Mr. T off the asset concealment case in 2001(?), which is the kind of justice he seeks again if his proxies can regain power.

[Jai Dee]

Department of Special Litigation chief filed charges against Dr. Thaksin

The Director-General of the Department of Special Litigation, Mr. Seksan Bangsombun, and a team of prosecutors filed corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions.

Mr. Seksan and his entourage submitted documents related to allegations of wrongdoing in the procurement of land on Ratchadapisek Road to the court.

Mr. Seksan says the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that Dr. Thaksin is currently residing in England and China while his wife, Khunying Potjaman, is being hospitalized in Singapore. At the same time, the district chiefs of Bang Phlat and Dusit have affirmed that Dr. Thaksin and his wife have not changed their residences. However, the prosecutors will have to wait for the court’s ruling tomorrow (Jul 10).

Mr. Seksan says the disclosure of the residences of Dr. Thaksin and his wife is not considered illegal because it is stated in the government official document.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Prosecutor submits Thaksin, wife addresses to court

A Thai prosecutor submitted the addresses of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman to the Supreme Court Monday morning, one day before the court is scheduled to announce whether or not it will accept the land purchase case for deliberation.

The addresses will enable the Thai authorities to officially summon the couple to face court action.

Chief Prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon submitted an official letter with the addresses of Mr. Thaksin and his wife as the first and second defendants in the Ratchadapisek land purchase scandal in the capital.

The letter stated that the former prime minister has residences in both Beijing and London, while his wife is now hospitalised in Singapore for heart irregularities.

Mr. Seksan said the addresses were acquired through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as requested earlier by the court.

"At this stage, we are confident given evidence presented by the Assets Examination Commitee. The next step is awaiting for the court's decision whether to accept the case," he added.

Last month, prosecutors filed corruption charges against Mr. Thaksin and his wife in the Supreme Court, the first time criminal charges have ever been filed against a former premier in the kingdom. The charges involve a Bt772 million land purchase, following a finding by a working committee that Mr. Thaksin and his wife were guilty as alleged in charges earlier lodged by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC).

The Office of the Attorney General's working group ruled that the Bangkok land on Ratchadapisek Road, which changed hands from the Financial Institutions Development Fund to Mr. Thaksin's wife, could have realised as much as Bt2.1 billion in terms of then current property market levels, but eventually sold for only Bt772 million, only one-third of the market value when the purchase was made.

In addition, the Office of the Attorney General suggested the 33 rai (five-hectare or 13-acre) parcel of controversial land be confiscated at the order of the Supreme Court.

The AEC, which had investigated and subsequently lodged malfeasance charges against Mr. Thaksin and his wife with the Office of Attorney-General, had earlier said the Ratchadapisek land could have earned twice as much again as the panel had calculated, or more than Bt4 billion.

Chief Prosecutor Seksan said the prosecution asked the Supreme Court to subpoena the former prime minister, who remains in self-exile overseas following last year's coup, as well as his wife, to return to Bangkok to stand trial on charges of abusing power and dereliction of duty.

The couple are charged of breaching anti-corruption laws, which bars state officials and their spouses

from doing business with a state agency.

If convicted, they face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Bt60,000, plus a maximum of 10 years in jail and a maximum Bt20,000 fine for malfeasance.

Source: TNA - 09 July 2007

[hammered]

Graft busters freeze more assets of Thaksin's associates and family

Assets Examination Committee freezes more assets of ousted PM's associates and family, including of Pramai Suri Co, Ltd that involved in taking over England's Manchester City.

The freezing of Bt1.9 billion came after the meeting of the committee on Monday.

The amount consisted of Bt800 million of Pramai Suri, Bt100 million of Somporn Associates and cashier cheques of Bt600 million of Thaksin's son; Panthongtae Shinawatra.

Pramai Suri Co, Ltd is part of Thaksin's consortium that took over Manchester City.

From the Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30040059

[Tony Clifton]

Looking at the jail terms, I'm reminded of criminals seeing their sentences reduced by half for either addmitting their crime, cooperating and divulging more with police investigations.

Looking at the zero cooperation from Thaksin and accomplices, some of them could be in for quite a while.

[John K]

Tony you should not pick on the handicapped. You know Thaksin is incapable of the truth and accepting the blame for anything. His mouth and tongue are incapable of that type of movement. It is a medical condition known as Iwannalieallthetimetogetrich. It was condition was first discovered at the start of the Gold Digger era by Mike Tyson in a court room. It is a highly contagious condition that is easily spread by observing overstuffed wallets of others.

One of the known curs it confinement in small spaces for several years wearing only clothing provided by others. This cur only works after being properly diagnosed by a judge of the court. Relapse is possible however the symptoms are often not as severe.

[sriracha john]

Graft panel orders sixth round of asset freeze

The special anti-graft panel has resolved on Monday to put a freeze on bank accounts of and cheques paid to private companies valued at 1.9 Billion Baht, in connection with its investigation into the graft cases against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Assets Examination Committee has found that the targeted accounts and cheques obtained money transferred from bank accounts of Thaksin's son Panthongtae Shinawatra, which contained part of the proceeds from last year's sale of the Shinawatra family's shares in the telecom giant Shin Corp, AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said.

Two of the bank accounts are of Thai Commercial Bank and the third one of Bank of Ayudhya. There are also three Bank of Ayudhya cashier's checks for 200 million baht each.

It was the latest in a series of freeze orders by the AEC, which since June 11 has issued five freeze orders on several bank accounts involving the Shin Corp share sale.

- The Nation

[Bill97]

600 million in cashiers checks, nice pocket money

[sriracha john]

uh oh.... looks like the British will soon be dealing with the same sort of shenanigans the Thais faced when he was the despot here....

Thaksin son's 'football fund' frozen

BANGKOK - Thailand's Assets Examination Committee (AEC) moved Monday to freeze assets totalling 1.9 Billion Baht belonging to Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, which it claims was part of the income earned from last year's Shin Corp share sale to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, and now is linked to the ex-premier's takeover of English football club Manchester City.

The assets frozen Monday, according to the AEC, was seen to have moved between June 14-27 in the bank accounts of three firms, and one company which helped Mr. Thaksin finance the takeover of Manchester City was identified as the Pramaisuri Property Company, owned by Thaksin's relatives.

British media said Mr. Thaksin's new company in England, UK Sports Investments (UKSIL), was set up to buy Manchester City and that Pramaisuri is a core owner of UKSIL, and that it used money from the sale of Thaksin's Shin Corp telecom in January 2006 to finance the football club purchase.

Speaking with Thai reporters in London, the ousted premier defended his use of funds he says were earned before he entered politics. "I earned my money," Mr. Thaksin told the Bangkok Post. "I declared it before entering politics."

Mr. Thaksin's son Panthongtae is scheduled to testify before an assets examination sub-committee on July 18, after the hearing was postponed following his statement that he was ill and produced a medical certificate requesting that his appearance be delayed as he was unable to testify.

The AEC earlier asked the Revenue Department to demand a corporate tax collection of 20.89 Billion Baht (US$616 million) from the offshore company Ample Rich Investments, saying that Mr. Thaksin's two children -- Mr. Panthongtae and Ms. Pinthongta -- were liable for the tax since both were company directors at the time of the transaction.

The sub-committee found that Ample Rich had earned income from the Shin Corp share sale, dividends and profits, and must pay taxes on the transaction since it conducted its business in Thailand, despite being an offshore company.

The AEC had earlier concluded that Mr. Panthongtae and Ms. Pinthongta were liable for tax on a transaction last year in which the two bought 329.2 million Shin Corp shares from Ample Rich for one baht each and sold them the next day to Singapore's Temasek Holdings for Bt49.25 each.

Ample Rich is a holding company set up by Mr. Thaksin in the British Virgin Islands. The AEC said the company was established as part of a scheme to avoid paying taxes on the sale. It was only discovered after the sale that both Panthongtae and Pinthongta were owners of the firm.

AEC member Kaewsan Athipho has said the committee ruled Mr. Panthongtae and Ms. Pinthongta intended to evade taxes by selling the shares indirectly.

Both registered the firm overseas but conducted business in Thailand. So, they must pay taxes like other corporations, Mr. Kaewsan said.

- MCOT

[Jai Dee]

AEC decides to freeze more of Mr. Panthonthae's bank accounts

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has decided to freeze more bank accounts owned by Mr. Panthonthae Shinnawatra, the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra’s son.

The AEC Spokesman Sak Korsanegruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) announces the AEC’s order to freeze Mr. Panthonthae’s additional bank accounts have been estimated over 1.9 billion baht. The money in the bank was reportedly from the sale of Shin Corp’s share with Temasek Holdings Group.

The frozen additional bank accounts include Bank of Ayudhaya Public Company Limited worth 400 million baht with interest, three cashier check worth 600 million baht with interest, and Siam Commercial Bank worth 100 million baht with interest.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 July 2007

[sriracha john]

Thaksin is eliminated from Forbes Asia billionaires list

Chaleo Yoovidhya, Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and Dhanin Chearavanont are the only dollar billionaires in Thailand in the latest rankings by Forbes Asia of the country's wealthiest individuals. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ranked fourth in last year's poll, saw his ranking drop to 14th with a net wealth of $300 million. Forbes noted that the Assets Scrutiny Committee last month froze $1.84 billion held by Mr Thaksin and his family. The latest rankings show that the number of billionaires in Thailand has fallen to three from 10 a decade ago. The 40 richest Thais are worth $19 billion, down from $20 billion last year. Minimum net worth on the list has risen to $109 million from $50 million last year. The Thailand 40 Richest List will appear in the July 23 issue of Forbes Asia.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/13Jul2007_biz32.php

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[sriracha john]

This post is freezing at the beginning, but heats up later...

Assets Probe Panel to Announce 7th Round of Exiled PM's Assets Freeze

A member of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) admits that the panel is considering another freeze of the Shinawatra and Damapong families' assets.

Chairman of the AEC's sub-panel studying the assets ordered to be frozen, Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka, said the committee have not been investigating exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's purchase of the English Premier League team, Manchester City.

Khunying Jaruwan stated that the AEC only agreed to probe the 73 billion baht from the Shinawatra-Damapong Shin Corp share sale to Singapore's Temasek Holdings. However, she believes that, as a public figure, the deposed PM should reveal his source of funds for taking over Manchester City.

Khunying Jaruwan confirmed that an assets freeze will be ordered on one of Thaksin's relatives, but kept the name confidential in case any transfers of assets are made.

On Thursday, the ousted PM's legal advisor, Noppadol Pattama announced that the Manchester City deal will be concluded within the next two weeks.

He added that a friendly match between Manchester City and Spanish Valencia will be held on August 4 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

A concert will also be organized for the day with two Thai singers, Lydia and Mai Charoenpura.

- Thailand Outlook

=============================================

More money of Thaksin's gets frozen... but he shows he's a real a family man... He hasn't forgotten to ensure his mia noi has employment opportunities....

Sorry, but I thought with the thread title, Thaksin's Little Girl Right At Home In London, it was going to be about this woman, who he's been spotted with shopping at Harrods:

Mai Charoenpura

She's a rather famous Thai singer that's reportedly been Thaksin's companion lately as he struggles during his many weeks away from his equally sexy wife, Potjaman. They could pass for sisters, yes?

Where have you heard these reports about Thaksin hanging out with this absolutely beautiful singer? Can't imagine his wife is too happy about that. Should be more discreet if true.

It's easier for me to go back and find the links to references in the English-language press, but it was said in a less vague, more direct manner in the Thai press. Certainly something his wife, Potjaman, would have seen. As for being discreet, it doesn't seem to be his style... no matter what the situation:

Gratuitously vague gossip

One of the richest men in Thailand - who we're not going to name, just to be obnoxious - has for a long time now had to do all his shopping at the world's luxury boutiques alone.

Just churned out of the rumour mill, though, is testimony that he now has some pretty company on his swank buying safaris.

He was seen at Harrod's in London, picking out purchases with celebrated singer Mai Charoenpura, who's known for such heart-rending tunes as "Cry" and "Walking Endlessly".

Maybe he won't want to return to Thailand back so soon after all! (That was a hint.)

- The Nation, April 16, 2007

Edited July 13, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

Thaksin to file civil suit against ASC

(BangkokPost.com) - A team of lawyers hired by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will file a civil lawsuit against the Assets Scrutiny Committee by Wednesday after it ordered the freezing of his assets worth billions of baht, his legal aide Noppadon Pattama said Friday.

Mr Noppadon wouldn’t reveal the amount of money the team will seek from the suit against the ASC, but it is expected to be billions of baht.

He said the team will also ask the court to order the ASC to unfreeze the assets worth at least 5 billion baht, saying the order is unfair.

Mr Noppadon would not confirm if and when Mr Thaksin and his wife Khunying Potjaman would return to Thailand to fight alleged corruption charges in the Ratchadaphisek land deal worth 772 million baht.

Mr Thaksin’s lawyer suggested the Office of the Attorney General send its summonses to the Thaksin’s address abroad after the Attorney-General’s failed attempt to deliver them in Bangkok.

More here

http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120139

[John K]

I still can’t find the term unfair as applied to this. I see unfair in contracts, I see unfair in a lot of things but not unfair in this.

[Tony Clifton]

He ignores the , for now, local justice system chasing him but sure enjoys it when it's time for him to throw another lawsuit.