Thaksin Accused By Assets Examination Committee On Deals

[Jai Dee]

AEC says ex-PM’s return will not affect its work process

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) says the return of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not affect its working process.

AEC Spokesman Sak Korsaengruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) says AEC will not be disheartened after the deposed premier traveled back to the country and affirms all AEC members will perform their duties to their utmost.

The spokesman says further that cases being investigated by AEC will be closed this March.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 February 2008

[sriracha john]

Call to review saplings case

Public prosecutors have called on the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) to set up a joint committee with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) to review the investigation into the alleged corruption case related to the distribution of 1.4 Billion Baht worth of rubber tree saplings during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. Attorney-General Chaikasem Nitisiri said yesterday that a letter on the recommendation had been sent to the ASC. ''The team just wants to make the investigation report clear and complete,'' said a source. ''Otherwise, the accused could exploit the gaps in court.'' Prosecutors have recommended to the attorney-general that members of both panels set up a joint committee to revise the report before taking the case further, the source said. When the ASC recently forwarded its report to the OAG, it also recommended that the OAG indict 45 suspects, including former Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, former Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Newin Chidchob, senior officials at the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and executives of the Charoen Pokphand Seeds company. The source said the ASC has managed to support its allegations against the accused cabinet ministers and other suspects with solid evidence and information.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Mar2008_news13.php

[sriracha john]

ASC: Thaksin proposed increasing Burma loan

Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra proposed increasing an Export-Import Bank of Thailand loan to Burma by one billion baht, according to the ASC. The former Thaksin administration is being investigated for improprieties over the loan, which was increased to four billion baht from three billion. Sak Korsaengruang, chairman of the ASC's sub-panel investigating the case said Thaksin proposed the one-billion-baht extension himself. The cabinet had nothing to do with the proposal, Mr Sak said after meeting with former Cabinet Secretary-General Borwornsak Uwanno, who was asked to testify in the case. Mr Sak said Borwornsak verified some documents that had been forwarded to the Cabinet, bringing about the resolution to approve the four-billion-baht soft loan to Burma by the bank. The deal requires the Finance Ministry to subsidise interest on the loan, provided to Burma at 3% while the true cost to Exim Bank was 4-5%. The Finance Ministry was also required to cover any losses by Exim Bank from the loan extension, Mr Sak said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/31Oct2007_news09.php

Thaksin role in Burma loan

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra alone approved the 1 Billion Baht credit increase to Burma, a source said yesterday.

Former Cabinet Secretary-General Borwornsak Uwanno was summoned by the Assets Examination Committee to clarify a document put on the Cabinet agenda to approve an increase in the credit line to Burma to 4 Billion Baht.

The Cabinet did not publicly acknowledge the increase. Thaksin brought the matter to the Cabinet, which approved it, the source said.

- The Nation

Thaksin faces up to 26 years in jail

Four criminal charges to be pressed by ASC

In the fourth case, the ASC found Thaksin allegedly ordered the Export and Import Bank to lend a 900-million-baht soft loan, out of a total of four billion baht, to the Burmese government to improve its infrastructure and telecom sector in 2004. This came with the condition that the Burmese government purchase materials from Shin Corp. After the loan agreement, Burma reportedly contracted Shin Corp's subsidiary, Shin Satellite, to be a major supplier to its 600-million-baht broadband satellite telecoms project.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Nov2007_news01.php

Jan 13 deadline for ex-PM to testify in EXIM Bank case

Mr. Sak Korsaengruang, a member of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) and chairman of the AEC subcommittee on the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank case, reported that his subcommittee has set January 13th as the deadline for the deposed Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, to testify in the case.

Mr. Sak said that Thaksin's lawyer had requested the AEC subcommittee postpone his client's testimony from December 29th, 2007, to January 28th, 2008, but the subcommittee shortened the postponement period to January 13th. Mr. Sak said the subcommittee will request the AEC to conclude the investigation of the case if Thaksin does not show up on January 28th to give testimony.

- ThaiNews

Now with the Thaksin-proxy People Power Party in charge.... all the above seems to be magically disappearing....

Exim bank to complete Burma loan

Government to boost economic ties with Burmese junta

The Export-Import Bank of Thailand is cleared to hand Burma any remaining funds from a four-billion-baht soft loan to the junta that had been suspended due to alleged irregularities, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said yesterday. The fresh move came as Thailand tried to foster closer economic ties with Burma following the first official visit to the country by PM Samak since he took office last month. Asked in Bangkok about the future of the loan, Noppadon said the government will not allow political wrangles in Thailand to obstruct attempts to strengthen relations with Burma and other neighbours. Thailand's internal problems ''have no effect on the right of Burma to get the money,'' he told a press conference. It remains unclear how much of the four-billion-baht loan has yet to be handed to the ruling junta in Burma. Noppadon said yesterday that only one billion baht had been given to Burma so far; however, the bank said in a statement released in September last year that all but 341 million baht of the loan had already been handed over. The loan was signed between the Exim Bank and the Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank in June 2004, when then PM Thaksin was in power. However, the ASC agreed in August last year to press criminal charges against the former PM for alleged abuse of his position in ordering a one-billion-baht increase in the amount of the loan, allegedly for the benefit of his family's satellite and broadband businesses. Thailand is one of Burma's biggest investors and trading partners, spending billions of dollars annually to tap into the country's natural gas and hydropower resources. The kingdom is at odds with the West over ways to deal with Burma's military regime

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Mar2008_news01.php

Edited March 16, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

With the possible exception of the lottery charge, the Exim bank accusation was probably the silliest accusation against Thaksin.I don't personally think Burma should be given this kind of support but of course -a point that has escaped some -the purpose of Thai Exim bank is to give backing to Thai exporters.It's all laughable especially at this stage of the game.

Now if I'm allowed a brief digression there was a report recently that a Thaksin aide had been linked to the disappearence of the Muslim lawyer Khun Somchai.Now if a Nixon-Watergate type connection could be firmly attached to Thaksin that would be the kind of dynamite that would blow him out of the water.It's that kind of charge that those who wish to nail Thaksin should be looking for.It also has the advantage of not implicating anyone else in the coup loving Bangkok power elite, which cannot be said for drug wars, Tak Bai etc etc.

[Plus]

Thaksin - Somchai link would be impossible to prove.

Thaksin's involvement with Exim bank loan left a lot of paperwork and a damning testimony by Surakiart. The crux of the matter, I believe, is that a PM is not legally authorised to order the bank to do anything. I bet much in the same way Thaksin's lawyers are going to defend him in Ratchada case - both Exim bank and FIDF have their own boards that make such decisions, and they are not government employees.

Prosecution in both cases will argue that Thaksin exercised (and abused) his ultimate authority as board members are appointed by Finance ministry, especially if they prove Thaksin had control over Shin Corp first (in a separate case).

YH, are you going to argue the legalities here? I assumed you accept that Shin Corp was always Thaskin's own company and that ordering a state run bank to extend loans to benefit his own business was a serious offence. It appears now you go for "innocent until proven guilty" line of arguing.

[younghusband]

Thaksin - Somchai link would be impossible to prove.

Thaksin's involvement with Exim bank loan left a lot of paperwork and a damning testimony by Surakiart. The crux of the matter, I believe, is that a PM is not legally authorised to order the bank to do anything. I bet much in the same way Thaksin's lawyers are going to defend him in Ratchada case - both Exim bank and FIDF have their own boards that make such decisions, and they are not government employees.

Prosecution in both cases will argue that Thaksin exercised (and abused) his ultimate authority as board members are appointed by Finance ministry, especially if they prove Thaksin had control over Shin Corp first (in a separate case).

YH, are you going to argue the legalities here? I assumed you accept that Shin Corp was always Thaskin's own company and that ordering a state run bank to extend loans to benefit his own business was a serious offence. It appears now you go for "innocent until proven guilty" line of arguing.

Well Watergate must have seemed impossible to prove at one point.Trouble is Thai journalism doesn't have a Woodward/Bernstein approach. on the whole being craven and incompetent.

The big picture on the Thaksin offences front is that after months of delving,persuading,browbeating and latterly panic the junta and its agents were only able to come up with unconvincing charges.This is the view of the world at large anyway.I'm not suggesting that Thaksin didn't break rules nor that he should not be accountable -but the bottom line is that these are not charges that a rich rogue can't wriggle out of.It's a measure of the junta's desperation that they included the silly illegal lottery one.As to Eximbank, Shin was a major Thai corporate player and in any event only a minor part of the Burmese package.It probably would have qualified regardless of Thaksin's intervention.Incidentally I must have missed the anouncement of Surarkiat's resignation and that of the Eximbnk board on this issue at the time.

What's missing in this set of charges is the money shot, the one that would have in some eyes -not mine- justified the coup.

[sriracha john]

AEC is poised to prosecute Thaksin for the EXIM Bank - Burma deal

The Assets Examination Committee has scheduled Monday to rule on the prosecution of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for abuse of power relating to his involvement in the extending of 4 Billion Baht by the EXIM Bank to Burma.

AEC panel chairman Sak Korsaengruang said he would recommend for the trial of Thaksin as the sole defendant for increasing the loan from 3 Billion Baht in order to finance a telecom deal with Shin Satellite, seen as linked to his family.

The deal caused 99 Million Baht in damages computed from the interest subsidy paid by the Finance Ministry to make the soft loan available.

- The Nation (today)

[Old Man River]

Thaksin - Somchai link would be impossible to prove.

Thaksin's involvement with Exim bank loan left a lot of paperwork and a damning testimony by Surakiart. The crux of the matter, I believe, is that a PM is not legally authorised to order the bank to do anything. I bet much in the same way Thaksin's lawyers are going to defend him in Ratchada case - both Exim bank and FIDF have their own boards that make such decisions, and they are not government employees.

Prosecution in both cases will argue that Thaksin exercised (and abused) his ultimate authority as board members are appointed by Finance ministry, especially if they prove Thaksin had control over Shin Corp first (in a separate case).

YH, are you going to argue the legalities here? I assumed you accept that Shin Corp was always Thaskin's own company and that ordering a state run bank to extend loans to benefit his own business was a serious offence. It appears now you go for "innocent until proven guilty" line of arguing.

Well Watergate must have seemed impossible to prove at one point.Trouble is Thai journalism doesn't have a Woodward/Bernstein approach. on the whole being craven and incompetent.

The big picture on the Thaksin offences front is that after months of delving,persuading,browbeating and latterly panic the junta and its agents were only able to come up with unconvincing charges.This is the view of the world at large anyway.I'm not suggesting that Thaksin didn't break rules nor that he should not be accountable -but the bottom line is that these are not charges that a rich rogue can't wriggle out of.It's a measure of the junta's desperation that they included the silly illegal lottery one.As to Eximbank, Shin was a major Thai corporate player and in any event only a minor part of the Burmese package.It probably would have qualified regardless of Thaksin's intervention.Incidentally I must have missed the anouncement of Surarkiat's resignation and that of the Eximbnk board on this issue at the time.

What's missing in this set of charges is the money shot, the one that would have in some eyes -not mine- justified the coup.

In a nutshell, what you have written is the bottom line. With all the talk of corruption on a grand scale, the charges make it look like it was much ado about nothing.

[Plus]

It's the fourth case to go to courts personally concerning Thaksin. Under current conditions, and living off donations, AEC has to prioritise, I suppose, and concentrate on bullet proof Thaksin cases only, the rest of the Cabinet is off the hook, at least for now.

Implications of SC Asset concealement are far too reaching to predict, and that's the one PPP will probably stall for good.

[younghusband]

It's the fourth case to go to courts personally concerning Thaksin. Under current conditions, and living off donations, AEC has to prioritise, I suppose, and concentrate on bullet proof Thaksin cases only, the rest of the Cabinet is off the hook, at least for now.

Implications of SC Asset concealement are far too reaching to predict, and that's the one PPP will probably stall for good.

The trouble is there aren't any bullet proof Thaksin cases.

[sriracha john]

AEC to Rule on Thaksin's Graft Charges in Burma Loan Deal Monday

The Assets Examination Committee is scheduled to rule next Monday on the prosecution of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for allegedly abusing his authority during his tenure to approve a 4-billion baht loan released to Myanmar, which was found to provide indirect benefits for his family’s telecom businesses.

An AEC panel scrutinizing the 4-billion baht loan released to Myanmar filed charges against the deposed premier earlier in the week for abusing state power to seek benefits for his family’s businesses.

The panel decided to file charges against the deposed premier for intentionally gaining benefits from the soft loan released to Myanmar.

Reportedly, Thaksin later used the initial 600 million baht loan to purchase equipment for the broadband Internet network for Shin Satellite Company in which his family holds a majority of shares.

AEC Spokesman and panel chairman Sak Korsaengruang revealed that his panel is in the process of drafting charges against Thaksin, the sole defendant in the case, alleged for increasing the loan from 3 billion baht to finance a telecom deal between the troubled country and his family’s Shin Satellite.

The loan initiated through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand or EXIM bank, reportedly caused 99 million baht in damages to the state, resulting from the interest subsidy paid by the Finance Ministry to close the loans.

Sak claimed that the charges and the initial reports will be submitted to the panel meeting next Friday and would be forwarded to the AEC on October 15th.

If the AEC approves the charges, the former premier would be notified on the charges and would be allowed 15 days to testify before the panel. The case then would be forwarded to the Attorney-General and the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

In regards to earlier allegations against former minister of foreign affairs Surakiat Sathienthai for involvement in the deal, the AEC spokesman said his panel would not file charges against the former minister, for there was not sufficient evidence against him.

However, the panel would invite Surakiat to testify as a witness in the case.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[Pepe']

Thaksin 'will return' to fight graft charges

Thaksin Shinawatra's chief lawyer said the deposed premier will return to the country if he is charged with involvement in a controversial land plot purchased by his wife and the new airport's bomb-detection scanners.

Noppadon Pattama insisted the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) had made a wrong interpretation of the law in accusing Thaksin of breaching Article 100 of National Counter Corruption Commission law for the land purchase by his wife.

He said the AEC had violated Thaksin's human rights by interpreting the law in order to incriminate him. "Developed countries do not interpret the law to suggest that someone is guilty," he said. The provision prohibits government officials - including prime ministers - and their spouses from entering into or having interests in contracts made with state agencies under their authorisation.

The AEC believed Thaksin as prime minister had violated the law as he had authorised the land auction by the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF).

Noppadon insisted that Thaksin did not authorise the fund. "The FIDF is a juristic entity separate from the Bank of Thailand [bOT]. If Thaksin could not order the BOT, how could he order the FIDF," he said.

He said he had told Thaksin - who is in Beijing - during a telephone call yesterday morning about the accusations that derived from the primary investigation by the AEC.

Noppadon said Thaksin is ready to return to prove his innocence and his dignity saying there has been an attempt to harass him, his wife and children.

As a Thai citizen, he has the right to return, but he had stayed away for the last three months for the sake of the country's national reconciliation.

Noppadol said that Thaksin will not return to politics as his family wants him to wash his hands off politics. "There will not be mobs to pressure the Constitution Court," he said.

Thaksin is among 22 people accused of violating the Criminal Code's Articles 157 and 83 for having struck the new baggage-handling system contract and approved the Airports of Thailand's (AOT) contract to buy the 26 bomb scanners directly from US-based scanner maker GE InVision Inc.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula yesterday expressed confidence that the FIDF could handle the case involving the land purchase on Ratchadapisek Road. "The guilt will fall on the buyer. I believe the Fund is capable of handling this," he said. The minister said he is waiting for the document from the AEC, which on Monday ruled that Thaksin violated the National Counter Corruption Act by letting his wife buy the land from the Fund.

Source: The Nation - 27 December 2006

To Quote from the above:-

He said the AEC had violated Thaksin's human rights by interpreting the law in order to incriminate him. "Developed countries do not interpret the law to suggest that someone is guilty," he said.

How hypocritical can you be / unsensitive and out of touch with reality considering all the inhuman attrocities that took place on his watch ???

marshbags

Democratic leaders do not ignore the law so that thousands of their electorate can be murdered on a political whim. The irony in Mr. Thaksin demanding the full legal protection and due process that he denied so many. And his human rights are violated by a charge being brought against him! Of course we should ignore the fact that in the past 20 years no Thai leader has ever violated the human rights of his own people so badly as Mr. Thaksin. He and his badly dressed lawyer have some gall even talking about human rights without even an apology for all the deaths caused by the Thaksin regime.

-----------------

He doesn't have to apologise he's way too rich...

[Jai Dee]

Former PM prepares for return to Kingdom

News reports have indicated that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently attending to business involving his football club Manchester City, has made arrangements to return once again to Thailand on April 10th. The visit will be to report to the Supreme Court for a second round of litigation.

The court had previously announced his charges in an initial court date and stated that he could leave the nation, but must report back for his court date on April 11th. Unverified reports however have shown the possibility Doctor Thaksin may be returning sooner as to meet with his team of attorney’s and prepare to deal with his Ratchada Land purchase case.

There have been no indications as to how long his latest stay will last.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 March 2008

[sriracha john]

AEC ready to rule today on ex-pm Thaksin's role

The Assets Examination Committee will today rule on indicting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over alleged irregularities involving the 1-Billion Baht additional soft loan extended to Burma.

An investigative panel headed by Sak Korsaengruang would recommend Thaksin be charged with violating Article 152 and 157 of the Criminal Code by seeking to promote the vested interest of the Shinawatra family.

The AEC panel alleged that Thaksin had instructed Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) to extended the soft loan to Burma to enable them to buy products of Shin Satellite.

A source said the investigative panel dismissed Thaksin's defence testimony as groundless and recommended the AEC forward the case to the Attorney-General to indict Thaksin at the Supreme Court's Political Division for Political Office Holders.

The panel found Thaksin, during an "unofficial" negotiation, promised Burmese leaders to extend more soft loans. When the Burmese sought additional funds, citing the unofficial negotiation, Thaksin instructed then Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai to respond in a letter that Thailand would increase the soft loan from 3 Billion Baht to 4 Billion Baht for Burma's telecommunication system and reduce the interest rate without Cabinet approval, the source said.

The AEC had solid testimony from Surakiart that Thaksin had verbally instructed him twice to extend loans to Burma in two instalments, 3 Billion Baht and 1 Billion Baht, the source said.

"The AEC believes the move damaged the Exim Bank. Thaksin went to Burma with Shin Sat staff to negotiate a business transaction for Shin Sat and Shin Corp, both of which belonged to Thaksin's family and Thaksin himself also benefited from the companies,'' the source added.

Thaksin's testimony denied the allegations. He said he had followed the national policies declared before the House to support the economic development of neighbouring countries. Thaksin also argued that the soft loan extension was a commitment Thailand had made to Burma in accordance with the Bagan Declaration.

Thaksin said in his testimony that the AEC had made unfair allegations against him related to the loan. He reasoned that Thailand would hugely benefit from Burmese natural resources worth trillions of baht.

Thaksin also rejected the allegation that the soft loan was extended to Burma to buy Shin Sat equipment.

- The Nation (today)

[sriracha john]

AEC rules Thaksin must be indicted

Graft panel dismisses defence

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday unanimously ruled to indict ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over corruption allegations involving a 4-Billion Baht soft loan to Burma.

A panel headed by Sak Korsaengreung will recommend to the Attorney-General within two weeks that Thaksin be charged with violating Articles 152 and 157 of the Criminal Code, for dereliction of duty and malfeasance by seeking a vested interest for the Shinawatra family.

The panel alleged Thaksin had instructed Export-Import Bank of Thailand to extend the loan to Burma to secure business interests of Shin Satellite (ShinSat) and Shin Corp, which belonged to Thaksin's family.

The panel found Thaksin, during an "unofficial" negotiation, promised Burmese leaders more loans. When the Burmese sought additional funds, Thaksin instructed then-Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai to respond that Thailand would increase the loan from 3 Billion Baht to 4 Billion Baht for Burma's telecommunications systems and reduce the interest rate, without Cabinet approval.

The AEC said the move had cost the bank 140 Million Baht in damages. Total damage is estimated at 670 Million Baht.

Thaksin also instructed the bank to extend the grace period from two to five years, in order to secure the business interest of ShinSat and win a 539 Million Baht contract to develop a telecommunications system and provide equipment.

Sak said the AEC found at the time Shin Corp was the major shareholder in ShinSat. The major shareholders included Pinthongta Shinawatra [Thaksin's daughter], Bhanapot Damapong [Thaksin's brother-in-law], Panthongtae Shinawatra [Thaksin's son], Ample Rich Investment, and Yingluck Shinawatra [Thaksin's sister].

Thaksin said he transferred Shin Corp shares to others before becoming premier in 2001. He denied Panthongtae, Bhanapot, Pinthongta and Yingluck held Shin Corp shares on his behalf. The panel found Thaksin's defence hard to believe because of incriminating evidence - a promissory note signed by Bhanapot.

The panel found Bhanapot signed a 102 Million Baht promissory note dated March 16, 1999, to pay "Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra" for the share purchase. The panel suspected the note was written after, as Pojaman was made a khunying on May 5, 1999. :D *they're not only scammers, but they're weak-ass scammers at that*

Sak dismissed Thaksin's argument the loan extension was a commitment under the Bagan Declaration as a telecommunications agreement was not included.

He said ShinSat and Shin Corp went to Burma to demonstrate telecommunications technology and although the Burmese government proposed ratifying the telecommunications agreement in the Bagan Declaration, the Foreign Ministry disapproved of it.

- The Nation (today)

Edited April 1, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thai investigators push for new Thaksin charges

In Thailand, investigators are going to ask prosecutors to file new corruption charges against ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, stemming from a loan deal with Burma.

The Assets Examination Committee is accusing Thaksin of signing off on a loan by the Export-Import Bank of Thailand so that military junta in Burma could buy satellite services from Thaksin's Shin Satellite.

Claiming a conflict of interest, the committee says Thaksin wrongly ordered the Exim Bank to increase a $US95 million loan to $127 million to enable the junta to buy more services from ShinSat.

ShinSat is part of the Shin Corp telecom firm, which Thaksin founded.

- Radio Australia (today)

[sriracha john]

Going back in time to one of Thaksin's earlier "Deals"....

Bhokin loses Bt2.5-bn libel suit

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled to dismiss a Bt2.5-billion libel lawsuit, ending an 11-year court battle between former PM's Office minister Bhokin Bhalakula and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.

The high-profile litigation arose from a censure debate in 1997 in which Suthep, who was in opposition, delivered a damning speech against former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh following the baht's flotation. The devaluation of the currency triggered the Asian financial crisis.

Suthep claimed Chavalit had wrongfully allowed Bhokin to attend a crucial meeting before cutting the baht loose and that Bhokin had leaked the information to then telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, who made huge gains from speculative currency trading.

Chavalit issued a public statement denying Bhokin's presence at the meeting which was confined to himself and two officials, then finance minister Thanong Bidaya and then central bank chief Rerngchai Marakanond.

Citing Chavalit's statement as evidence, Bhokin sued Suthep for defamation and demanded Bt4 billion in damages, before reducing the demand. The plaintiff argued that Suthep had smeared Bhokin as a third person, hence there was no grounds to invoke parliamentary immunity.

Some 16 major newspapers and media outlets were named as accomplices in publishing and distributing Suthep's speech.

Following yesterday's release of the high court's final verdict, Suthep said the judicial review found him to have carried out his duty as an opposition MP in censuring government leaders.

In regard to the question whether Bhokin was present at the meeting, two plaintiff witnesses - Thanong and Rerngchai - testified that Bhokin was in attendance without authorisation.

The high court ruled that Suthep did not alter the information to smear Bhokin, but had outlined what happened.

Suthep said he was grateful for justice being his shield for doing his job in censuring the government.

- The Nation (today)

[Jai Dee]

Prosecution of Thaksin in SC Asset case delayed by evidence snag

The prosecution of Thaksin Shinawatra on charges of concealing the shareholder structure of SC Asset Corp faces a delay caused by problems with evidence, the deputy director-general of the Special Litigation Division said yesterday.

Suthi Poo-iam said public prosecutors will postpone their decision on the case which had been set for tomorrow because documents from Singa-pore, Hong Kong and Malaysia which the Department of Special Investiga-tion (DSI) submitted as evidence were not authenticated by officials.

He said authentication was needed for trial proceedings if they were to be accepted by the court.

Suthi said prosecutors had instructed the DSI to ask concerned agencies to authenticate the documents a week ago but had not yet received them.

DSI deputy director-general Tharit Pengdit, who oversees the Bank and Finance Litigation Office, said he had not been informed by prosecutors about the additional evidence and authentication.

Meanwhile, ousted prime minister Thaksin will issue a statement denying malfeasance in the Bt4 billion loan extension to Burma, his lawyer said yesterday. Chattip Tantaprasat said Thaksin was ready to prove his innocence in court and would issue a statement through his personal spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana today.

Thaksin insisted the loan extension complied with Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Bank) directives. Chattip said Thailand would benefit from Burma's Gulf of Martaban natural gas concessions worth a trillion baht.

He said Thaksin did not force Burma to buy a telecommunication system from Shin Satellite and Thaksin did not benefit from the transaction because he did not own shares in Shin Corp.

Source: The Nation - 02 April 2008

[Jai Dee]

Dr. Thaksin to play golf with Cambodian PM Hun Sen

Mr. Pongthep Thepkanjana, the personal spokesman of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, says Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has invited Dr. Thaksin to play a round of golf in Cambodia on April 5th and 6th.

Meanwhile, Mr. Pongthep says he has not been informed by Dr. Thaksin that there would be a clarification about the controversial loans granted to Myanmar worth four billion baht before he was ousted. However, the spokesman believes that Dr. Thaksin can fight the corruption charges against him.

Mr. Pongthep says the deposed prime minister is scheduled to meet two businessmen from Brazil and Europe who are planning to invest in Thailand following his return from Cambodia. He says Dr. Thaksin will pay respect to the monks at Phra Chao Phon Luang Temple in Phayao tomorrow (April 3rd), and he will visit the forest in Doi Tung in the northern province of Chiang Rai the next day.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 April 2008

[sriracha john]

Development of Probe into Procurement of Rubber Saplings

The Assets Examination Committee is ready to launch prosecution over the controversial rubber sapling project initiated by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, if the Attorney-General fails to forward the case to the court.

Spokesperson of the Assets Examination Committee or AEC, Sak Korsaengrueng, disclosed that his panel will hold a meeting with the Attorney-General to consider whether to file charges against those involved in the allegedly corrupted procurement of rubber saplings, approved by the former Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

Sak says the meeting will be the last joint-consideration over the rubber sapling purchase case between the two agencies and if the Attorney-General fails to launch the prosecution, the AEC may file the indictment with the court by itself.

As for the development of the four billion baht loan given to Burma by the Export and Import Bank, Sak revealed the panel's investigation report is nearly complete and it is expected to be forwarded to the Attorney-General for further prosecution by next week.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[sriracha john]

Going back in time to one of Thaksin's earlier "Deals"....

Bhokin loses Bt2.5-bn libel suit

The Supreme Court yesterday ruled to dismiss a Bt2.5-billion libel lawsuit, ending an 11-year court battle between former PM's Office Minister Bhokin Bhalakula and Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.

The high-profile litigation arose from a censure debate in 1997 in which Suthep, who was in opposition, delivered a damning speech against former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh following the baht's flotation. The devaluation of the currency triggered the Asian financial crisis.

Suthep claimed Chavalit had wrongfully allowed Bhokin to attend a crucial meeting before cutting the baht loose and that Bhokin had leaked the information to then telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, who made huge gains from speculative currency trading.

In regard to the question whether Bhokin was present at the meeting, two plaintiff witnesses - Thanong and Rerngchai - testified that Bhokin was in attendance without authorisation.

- The Nation (today)

Thaksin knew of baht float

Parliamentary records confirm that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra had a strong suspicion the baht was about to be floated before the actual announcement was made on July 2, 1997, according to the Isara News Centre. The proof was in the official record of the Sept 26, 1997 censure debate in the House against the government of Chavalit Yongchaiyud. Thaksin was a Deputy Prime Minister in the government. In replying to Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban during the debate, Thaksin said:

''On July 1 [1997], I had a dinner with a person I respected and a senior journalist. Around 10pm, someone called to tell me that there was a serious meeting at Government House. Those attending the meeting were the Prime Minister [Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh], Rerngchai Marakanond [then Governor of the Bank of Thailand], Thanong Bidaya [then Finance Minister] and Chaiyawat Wibulswasdi [then Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand]. ''Because I knew that Chaiyawat was also the manager of the Exchange Equalisation Fund..... I suspected there would be the baht float as the manager of the fund also attended such a serious meeting.'' Mr Suthep alleged in the debate that then PM's Office Minister Bhokin Bhalakula leaked information enabling Thaksin's company to benefit from the

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http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/04Apr2008_news09.php

[sriracha john]

AEC to seek Thaksin's indictment over Shin tax

The Assets Examination Committee will next month seek an indictment against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over tax evasion in the sale of Shin Corp shares, AEC secretary Kaewsan Atibodhi said yesterday.

The AEC last week rejected Thaksin's lawyer's request to question 100 more witnesses :D *he's trying to get the case delayed until 2035* on the grounds that none of them was involved in the case and none could reasonably refute the AEC's allegations.

The AEC will by tomorrow seek evidence from the Securities and Exchange Commission that shows the Shinawatra family held Win Mark shares.

It will ask Thaksin's lawyer to provide evidence from USB AG Singapore, which is the custodian of Shin Corp shares, which might be used as evidence to counter the AEC's case.

The AEC found that from 1999 to 2005 there were five transactions involving Shin Corp shares and Ample Rich, and the evidence of the transactions is currently with UBS.

The most important evidence is a UBS report dated August 24, 2001, showing that Shin Corp shares were transferred from one account to another belonging to the same person. The shares totalled more than 5 per cent of Shin Corp's capital.

UBS then reported the transfer to the SEC, as required by law.

The AEC suspects it was Thaksin who owned the shares.

"We need this evidence. If Thaksin can get UBS to confirm that the AEC misunderstood the report, then we will cease the investigation against him,'' Kaewsan said.

He said the investigation had been delayed because Thaksin ordered his security guards to reject all mail from the AEC.

"Since they have behaved like this, we decided to reject their request to question more witnesses,'' he added.

- THE NATION (today)

[sriracha john]

Panel: No more defence witnesses for Shinawatras

A sub-panel of the ASC investigating the Shinawatra family's alleged assets concealment has decided to recommend that the ASC take legal action against the family without waiting for some 300 other defence witnesses to testify. *300 now?!?!?! good grief... the Shittywaters are so unbelievably obvious* ASC Secretary Kaewsan Atipho, who also sits on the sub-committee, said the panel decided to conclude its investigation into the case in which former PM Thaksin and his wife Potjaman were accused of failing to declare their shares in Shin Corp during Thaksin's time in office. At the time Shin Corp was owned and run by the Shinawatra family. There was no need to consider some 100 additional pieces of evidence or hear the testimony of more than 300 other defence witnesses, said Kaewsan. "Those evidence and witnesses are useless. Most of them are company staff, former and current MPs and senators. What we have in our investigation [report] now is complete," he said. According to Kaewsan, the Shinawatra family had never cooperated with the sub-panel while it was conducting the investigation. "Postmen also told the panel that workers at Thaksin's residence in Bangkok told them that their bosses had ordered them not to accept any letters or documents sent by the ASC," he said. Thaksin and Potjaman denied all accusations made by the ASC in every alleged graft case against them, but they did not present to the ASC any strong evidence or witnesses that could prove their innocence, Kaewsan said. The sub-panel could neither wait any longer to consider additional evidence from the Shinawatra family nor hear their other witnesses, he said. It therefore decided to conclude the investigation by exercising its legal authority to instruct the Securities and Exchange Commission and the SET to hand to the sub-panel by tomorrow evidence of the couple's ownership of Shin Corp

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http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Apr2008_news13.php

[sriracha john]

Assets Probe Panel Fowards Report on Burma Loan against Ousted PM

The public prosecution team expects the decision on whether to lauch an indictment against deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over a state bank 's loan to Burma to be completed within 30 days.

Deputy Governor of Auditor-General's Office, Pisit Leelawachiropars today visited Chief of the Ecomomic and Public Resource Litigation Department Thanapij Moonpruek and Chief of the Special Litigation Department Seksan Bangsombun to hand over the investigation report from the Assets Examination Committee over the controversial loan that the state-run Export-Import or EXIM Bank provided to the Burmese government.

Thanapij says that the Attorney-General’s working panel over the charge will be the same one responsible for the controversial purchase of the Ratchadapisek land plot, the unlawful introduction of the two and three digit lottery and the corruption over the procurement of rubber saplings.

The Attorney-General is expected to complete its consideration on whether to file the EXIM Bank loan case with the Supreme Court within 30 days.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[sriracha john]

Malfeasance charges filed against ex-PM Thaksin

BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) -- Malfeasance charges lodged by Thailand's Assets Examination Committee against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra involving a 4 Billion Baht bank loan for Myanmar were submitted to the Office of the Attorney General Thursday.

The spokesman for the Office of Attorney General, Thanapit Mulpreuk, said the agency would handle the 1,300-page case in a less time-consuming fashion because Thaksin is the only defendant of the case, in which he has been alleged to have damaged state interests and abusing his powers only to streamline the Export-Import Bank of Thailand's loan for Myanmar to buy telecom merchandise from his Shin Satellite Company.

The Attorney General's spokesman did not say how soon his agency would get through the deliberation process over the malfeasance charges against Thaksin so that it may be forwarded to the court,

However, the Assets Examination Committee might act on its own by directly filing a lawsuit in court, should the Office of Attorney General decide to drop it, he said.

[sriracha john]

We're ready to take over AEC cases, says NCCC

The National Counter Corruption Commission is ready to take over the graft investigations initiated by the Assets Examination Committee after its term ends, NCCC member Vicha Mahakun said yesterday.

Vicha said the NCCC might invite AEC members to testify or appoint them as subcommittee members to continue probing corruption allegations, mostly arising from the period under the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

He said the NCCC was currently probing 90 cases involving land offences such as en-croachment on natural forestland allegedly committed by politicians in Koh Samui, Phuket, Chanthaburi and Trat.

He said the agency faced constraints, as - unlike the AEC - it cannot use anti-money laundering measures. It also cannot investigate cases in which state officials are not involved.

Vicha said that although the NCCC had been appointed by the Council for National Security (CNS), it is not instructed to directly handle special investigations. "The NCCC works in a straightforward manner and has no hidden agenda placed on it by the CNS," he said.

Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is planning to shorten the terms of the Election Commission and the NCCC by including a transitional provision in its proposed amendment of the 2007 Constitution. * yet another dubious PPP amendment to the constitution??? *

PPP party-list MP Sukhum-pong Ngon-kham, deputy chief of the committee tasked with amending the charter, said the panel had been instructed to complete its draft by Thursday on a transitional provision to limit the term of temporary agencies such as the NCCC, Election Commission and Constitution Court.

"It is likely the draft will shorten their terms, since they were formed as temporary bodies,'' he said.

However, PPP Chiang Rai MP Samart Kaemeechai denied the panel had discussed shortening the term of the agencies, saying the charter-drafters had merely talked about limiting the role of the Election Commission to overseeing elections and about setting up an election court.

- The Nation (today)

[sriracha john]

a self-admission of guilt is good for the soul as Thaksin ver. 2.0 concedes Thaksin ver. 1.0 was "less than prudent" and "unmonitored"...

Tighter rein on village loan funds

Government wants money to be better spent

The government has pledged to be more selective with community-based proposals for funding under the so-called SML (small, medium, large) village grants scheme to ensure more prudent spending amid scepticism from social and economic experts. Anek Permvongseni, in his capacity as Secretary to the SML Committee, said the government will give more emphasis to proposals that are aimed at raising local incomes to ensure the money would truly help boost communities and the village economy. ''The SML scheme has been brought back with a work structure similar to the previous one, but we will try to implement it with closer monitoring. "Making money will be emphasised. The challenge before us is how to make the scheme a vehicle to drive the local economy,'' said Anek, also Deputy Secretary-General to the PM, in charge of administrative affairs. The SML scheme under which villages received grants for community development was launched by the Thaksin Shinawatra government. Under the Thaksin government, the scheme drew criticism from social and economic experts who said it would spur spending rather than strengthening community development.

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[Plus]

I'm afraid it's only paper talk as they are under pressure to issue as many loans as possible, not tigthen them up.

[sriracha john]

AEC pushes ahead in sapling graft case

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will submit the file on the alleged corruption in the Thaksin Shinawatra government's sapling project to the Supreme Court despite Office of the Attorney-General opposition, spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said yesterday.

Lawyers from the Lawyers' Council of Thailand will help study the AEC's report again to make sure it is complete, Sak said.

The Office of the Attorney-General formerly rejected the AEC's request to submit the case to the court, saying the report was incomplete. The two agencies assigned a joint-committee, but it failed to agree on the report.

- The Nation (today)

Edited April 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

PPP wants control over prosecutors

Critics alarmed at plans to change the charter

The PPP wants existing independent agencies to revert to their former structures under the abrogated 1997 constitution, said Sukhumpong Ngonkam, the PPP Deputy Secretary-General. The PPP wants to put the Attorney-General's Office, an independent agency under the present charter, back under direct government supervision as a civil service agency. The proposal has alarmed critics, who are concerned that the prosecution may become subject to the influence of politicians who could dictate the course of justice. Sukhumpong claimed the proposed change to the public prosecution structure would not benefit former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who is facing criminal charges, including corruption. Under the planned charter changes, other independent agencies reverting to their old working structures would include the Election Commission (EC), the Ombudsman, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC). The proposals would also seek to revert the courts of justice, the Constitution Court, the military court and Administrative Court to their former structures. Komsan Phokong, a former charter drafter, accused the PPP of trying to mount a ''purge'' of the independent agencies.

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