Corruption Probes: Ministers Won't Point The Finger

[Jai Dee]

NCCC unveils assets and liabilities of deposed Cabinet ministers

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) announces the list of assets and liabilities of ministers in the Thaksin administration. Wissanu Krea-Ngam (วิษณุ เครืองาม)’s family has a total asset of 43 million baht, an increase of eight million baht.

NCCC unveils figures of assets and liabilities of the ministers after they have been deposed for one year. Mr Wissanu has more assets than liabilities by 24 million baht and his spouse has 19 million baht.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

15 convicts alleged in lottery scandal, to give testimonies to AEC on August 17th

The Assets Examination Committee’s two- and three-digits lotteries committee chaired by Udom Fuangfung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง) is scheduled to invite an additional 15 people to give testimonies on August 17th.

The 15 alleged people include Permanent Secretary of Finance Suparut Kawatkul (ศุภรัตน์ ควัฒน์กุล) and Director of the Bureau of Budget Wuthiphan Wichairat (วุฒิพันธุ์ วิชัยรัตน์).

Meanwhile, another subcommittee responsible in assets freezing chaired by Amnuay Thanthara (อำนวย ธันธรา) has invited representatives of the Thaicom (ไทยคม) Foundation to give information concerning the freezing of 200 million baht of assets of the foundation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Mrs. Bussaba Damapong acknowledges charges in SC Assets case

Bussaba Damapong (บุษบา ดามาพงศ์) travels to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge charges made against her in the SC Assets case today (August, 17th) at 13.00 hrs.

Mrs. Bussaba was alleged of hiding the share structure of the SC Assets Corporation Plc., along with other members of the company's board including Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (ทักษิณ ชิยวัตร) and his wife Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra (พจมาน ชินวัตร).

DSI’s investigating team responsible for the case says it might request the court to issue arrest warrants to the accused if they do not show up today.

Meanwhile, Phichit Choenban (พิชิฎ ชื่นบาน), a lawyer of Mrs Bussaba, states that his client will travel to DSI today. However, he says it is still unclear whether the SC Assets Corporation Plc. will send Phensom Damapong (เพ็ญโสม ดามาพงศ์) or Yinglak Shinawatra (ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร) to acknowledge the company’s charges at DSI.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

NCCC to solve over 6,000 corruption cases

The Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is speedily solving more than 6,000 remaining corruption cases.

The NCCC Chairman, Mr. Panthep Klanarong (ปานเทพ กล้าณรงค์ราญ), traveled to the northern province of Chiang Mai today (September 3rd) and chaired a meeting to listen to public ideas on ways to suppress corruption. The NCCC has declared to eradicate corruption in the state sector within five years from 2008 to 2012. However, many corruption cases are complicated and traces are difficult to follow.

There have been more than 10,000 corruption cases in the last two years, and the NCCC has solved 4,000 of them so far.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 September 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC orders review of fire-truck probe

The Assets Examination Com-mittee (AEC) board yesterday ordered an investigative panel to review its probe into the purchase of fire-fighting vehicles to check whether any more people should be indicted.

"We want the results back within two weeks," AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said.

This was the second time the AEC board had refused to accept the investigative conclusion submitted by the panel, which had based its approach to the probe on the assumption that the multi-billion-baht purchase contract was legal.

Chaired by Prasert Boonsri, the panel concluded that there were grounds to believe that five former and incumbent officials acted corruptly in preparing the deal that is estimated to have cost the country Bt1.9 billion.

They are Bhokin Bhalakula, Samak Sundaravej, Police Maj-General Atilak Tanchukiat, Pracha Maleenont and Somsak Khun-ngern.

The deal dates back to 2004 when Bhokin, in his capacity as interior minister, signed an agreement of understanding with the Austrian ambassador to Thailand to buy fire engines, fire boats and other fire-fighting equipment for the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department - a unit of the Bangkok Metropolitan Adminis-tration (BMA). The Interior Ministry oversees the BMA.

Bhokin's then-deputy Pracha Maleenont and assistant secretary Somsak Khun-ngern helped prepare the agreement.

Former Bangkok governor Samak signed the purchase agreement just before his term ended. Austrian company Steyr Daimler Puch is the supplier. Atilak, who heads the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, was also involved.

In its investigation, the Prasert-chaired panel did not name incumbent Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin as a suspect even though Apirak opened the letter of credit for the deal and approved the payment of first two instalments of the deal.

The panel has refused to indict Apirak, citing that the letter of credit had to be opened because the purchase contract was already inked.

Sak yesterday insisted the AEC board believed the purchase contract was illegal and that the investigation should take this point into account.

"After the subcommittee sees this point, it can study more evidence and determine whether any more people should be held responsible for the deal," Sak said.

He said the AEC board's decision should not pose any problem to the Prasert-chaired panel and he insisted that the AEC board did not plan to appoint a new panel to take charge of this case.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem said Prasert would not lose face, because there were just some points to be reviewed.

Commenting on the AEC board's latest decision, Prasert said he had done his job transparently and said he would not lose heart.

Source: The Nation - 04 September 2007

[wpcoe]

How would this come into play with corruption charges?

Wiping the slate clean

CIVIL SERVICE, CONVICTS :The cabinet will on Thursday propose to the National Legislative Assembly a bill to erase unfavourable records of government officials and state enterprise employees to mark His Majesty the King's 80th birthday.

Apart from clearing the bad track records of government and state enterprise officials found guilty of disciplinary violations before or on Dec 5 this year, the proposed bill will also clear the criminal records of ex-convicts. The bill, if passed, will take effect on Dec 5 this year.

source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/040907_News/04Sep2007_news14.php

What exactly are "disciplinary violations"? Do corruption charges fall under that category? If not, what exactly WOULD fall under that category?

What is meant by "clear[ing] criminal records of ex-convicts"? Only ex-cons who are government officials or state enterprise employees or ALL ex-convicts?

[Mid]

'Uncooperative' tax officials may be

Sat, September 15, 2007 : Last updated 12:19 hours

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday said it might have to prosecute Revenue Department officials over tax-evasion charges involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family, as they have refused to cooperate in a graft probe.

"What is happening is similar to a murder case in which a suspected killer refuses to name the mastermind," an AEC source said.

The source said the investigation in question concerned the tax liability incurred by Ample Rich, an offshore company involved in the sale of Shin Corp in January 2006.

Although the AEC wants the officials as state witnesses, they have been unco-operative in shedding light on the alleged tax scam, the source said.

In a hearing yesterday on Thaksin's frozen assets, his wife's secretary Kanchanapa Honghern testified that funds worth Bt2 billion and held by SC Plaza, a property developer, actually belonged to Thaksin's daughter Pinthongta.

Pinthongta planned to transfer the funds to the London-based company Shinawatra Family, which manages her family's wealth, but the AEC had impounded the money, Kanchanapa said in her statement.

She also promised to submit additional evidence in seven days in an attempt to have the money released by proving it was honestly earned.

Meanwhile, the AEC is preparing a progress report for submission to the Council for National Security. The report is expected to be used by the council as part of its listing of accomplishments following the September 19 coup.

The Nation

[John K]

Is this a case of ‘let us backdate /forge some official documents that you did not find yet so Thaksin can have his money’ or is it something else?

[John K]

Embattled Thirachai defends SEC role over Shin deal

Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, secretary-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission, has found himself in hot water over the Shin Corp deal.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has accused his agency of doing nothing to probe the case allegedly involving asset concealment and insider trading on the part of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thirachai yesterday issued a statement for the third time in a week to defend the SEC's role by declaring that the agency was ready to welcome any investigation into its performance.

"So far there have been accusations that the SEC has failed to investigate the case thoroughly or has only selectively elected to probe other cases. Yesterday [AEC spokesman] Khun Sak Korsaengrung also accused the SEC of failing to do its job adequately," Thirachai said.

"This kind of charge has not only hurt the SEC, which is an important organisation in the capital market, it could also affect the confidence of Thai and foreign investors in the Thai capital market. Overall, this is not good for the system." Following almost a year of hard-hitting investigation, the AEC has produced evidence to show that Thaksin, while he was still prime minister, breached the law by using his children, close relatives and offshore companies as nominees holding assets on his and his wife's behalf.

Thaksin, the AEC has found, still owned and controlled Ample Rich Investments, an offshore company that held 10 per cent in Shin Corp, from 1999 up to 2003 before he transferred the interest in this firm to his two children.

Even more damaging is the AEC's evidence that Win Mark, another offshore company, could belong to Thaksin by holding more than one per cent in Shin Corp without proper disclosure.

Win Mark was also suspected of insider trading because it steadily accumulated Shin Corp shares before selling them to Temasek of Singapore for a gain of Bt500 million.

Thirachai said he would like all parties to cooperate and work on the Shin Corp deal instead of accusing the SEC without any grounds for doing so.

"We are ready to let anyone investigate the performance of the SEC in all forms. As for the Shin Corp deal, I would like the AEC to pass on the information on alleged insider trading or other violation of the securities law, so that the SEC can pursue additional investigation," he said.

Sak said on Thursday that if the SEC had done its job seriously, the AEC would not have had to work this hard. The AEC might not pass on the information about the Shin Corp deal to the SEC, he said.

Kaewsan Athibhodi, another AEC member, has also expressed disappointment with the SEC for neglecting to dig deep into the Shin Corp deal. He said the SEC just stood for "I forgot to follow up".

Besides his statement yesterday, Thirachai came out on Tuesday and Thursday to defend the role of the SEC in the Shin Corp deal, saying the commission has worked to the limit of the securities law.

The finding that Win Mark, allegedly controlled by Thaksin, was also holding Shin Corp stock without proper disclosure, was news to the SEC, he acknowledged.

He also called for the AEC to pass on information, so that it could probe further as to whether Win Mark was involved in insider trading, which is a serious crime.

The AEC and the National Counter Corruption Commission will be wrapping up the case against Thaksin involving Ample Rich and Win Mark to justify the government's move to freeze his family's finances worth more than Bt50 billion. If found guilty of being unusually wealthy as a result of policy corruption, Thaksin's assets could be confiscated for the state's treasury.

The Nation

[Tony Clifton]

Reminiscent of the former Election Committee that would not take action following it's sub- committee's findings and recommendations.

[A_Traveller]

The finding that Win Mark, allegedly controlled by Thaksin, was also holding Shin Corp stock without proper disclosure, was news to the SEC, he acknowledged.[Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, SecGen SEC]

But why was the report from UBS AG. described as erroneous, since they [uBS AG]. didn't understand the reporting requirements in Thailand? This is bizarre, even by standards here.

Regards

[John K]

OK please correct me if any of the facts are off. The EC 3 that spent time in jail, are still out on appeal. If there case was to come back up quickly knowing the outcome would let them see jail again, I would think others would give some thought to being more cooperative. The days of being on appeal until after their natural death related to old age must go.

[A_Traveller]

The issue here is the court timetable process, or it seems lack of it. Cases are often heard for 1 day then the next hearing {which in say the US or EU would be the next day} maybe a month or more. The other issue here is that the trails are non jury, so the time line is affected by the availability of a specific judge.

Regards

PS The non jury trial issue may well be a killer for extradition attempts.

PPS This link leads to a report on the trial of those suspected of kidnapping Somchai Neelaphaijit which gives some background on the processes involved.

Edited September 15, 2007 by A_Traveller

[Old Man River]

The finding that Win Mark, allegedly controlled by Thaksin, was also holding Shin Corp stock without proper disclosure, was news to the SEC, he acknowledged.[Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala, SecGen SEC]

But why was the report from UBS AG. described as erroneous, since they [uBS AG]. didn't understand the reporting requirements in Thailand? This is bizarre, even by standards here.

Regards

Aren't potential cover-ups and damage control normally bizarre?

According to Thai investigators, on August 24, 2001, UBS AG Singapore filed a 246-2 form to the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to declare that it was holding 10,000,000 shares (Bt10 par value then) of Shin Corp for Ample Rich and another 5,405,913 shares of Shin Corp in another account. UBS AG Singapore was obliged to file the 246-2 form because the combined stake of the two accounts under its custodianship breached the 5-per-cent mark to 5.24 per cent. Thai securities law requires any individual, party or company to report holdings in a publicly listed company if the stake exceeds 5 per cent. UBS AG Singapore's filing could only mean that the beneficiary owner of Ample Rich and Win Mark was the same person.

Korn Chatikavanij of the Democrat Party followed up on the Win Mark case right after the sale of Shin Corp. In February and March 2006 he called on the SEC several times to ask it to look into Thaksin's possible ownership in Win Mark, which held the Shin shares in an account with UBS in Singapore. Through his own investigation, Korn, a former investment banker, suspected that Win Mark, which then held around 55 million Shin shares, belonged to Thaksin and his family without any proper public disclosure. After all, there had been Shin Corp stock transactions between Ample Rich and Win Mark conducted by UBS Singapore, and as Korn surmised, if Ample Rich and Win Mark did not belong to the same owner, how could UBS Singapore have transacted the shares between the two?

Thirachai Bhuvanat-naranubala, secretary-general of the SEC, quite reluctantly looked into the matter and afterward came out to insist that the 55 million shares did not belong to Thaksin. He also stressed that the SEC, unlike the Department of Special Investigation or the Assets Examination Committee, did not have the legal basis to probe the case beyond its statute (even though it had similarly investigated several other cases, although in those, the PM was not involved). On the UBS filling, the SEC stated that UBS AG was incorrect in making this filling because they didn't understand Thailand's laws. The SEC said this despite the fact that UBS AG has been in working in this type of transactions in Asia for a long time AND they had an office in Bangkok.

Recently, in a knee-jerk reaction, Thirachai vowed to continue the investigation after new evidence pointed out the possibility that the owner of Ample Rich and Win Mark might be the same. However, he also added that: "This kind of charge has not only hurt the SEC, which is an important organisation in the capital market, it could also affect the confidence of Thai and foreign investors in the Thai capital market. Overall, this is not good for the system." In other words, he is telling investigators if they continue to investigate into the Ample Rich and Win Mark connections vis a vis the SEC's failure to delve into it deeper when it occurred, then these new investigations into their actions might hurt the country.

[Plus]

That was from the Nation, wasn't it, OMR?

[Old Man River]

That was from the Nation, wasn't it, OMR?

No, not entirely. More of a pick and choose from several different articles from The Nation and BP, some current, some not so current, but all now timely. However, other than a few immaterial comments of my own to clarify, nothing included has not been printed somewhere at some point. I just wanted to put it all together so it made more sense.

Note, while the investigation into Ample Rich and Win Mark would have continued as it has now, if Korn didn't push for a closer look into the SEC's non role in this investigation, it would have disappeared from view a long time ago.

[sriracha john]

Officials hamper graft probes

Assets Examination Committee (AEC) chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday expressed disappointment at the slow rate of progress of AEC investigations but blamed lack of cooperation from state agencies for the situation.

Speaking on the first anniversary of the AEC, Nam said only two cases have reached the court - the tax evasion in Shinawatra Computer, and the Ratchadaphisek land purchase scandal.

Auditor-General Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka said the prime minister, ministers and permanent secretaries must give their full support for the investigations into the corruption cases. She expects the CTX scanner case to be wrapped up at the end of October, while the airport power-cable case will be completed in November.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaeng-ruang said the AEC could not meet its objectives because of lack of cooperation from concerned officials and the people involved in the cases.

The AEC's term has been extended to June next year.

Sak said the agency wants to complete all investigations and does not want to pass on the responsibility to other agencies.

Sak called on people in the justice system to be fair and not practice double standards. The AEC has ordered a freeze of Bt60 billion in assets, but has been sued for more than Bt100 billion by deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife.

"It should not be that when you file charges against others, you say one thing and when you are sued you say something different," he said.

Sak pointed out the delay in some cases such as the Ua Athon housing project, which involves more than 100 housing projects. The AEC can find evidence in five housing projects that may reach the court.

The rubber sapling investigation also involves a number of people and more time is required to wrap up the investigation.

Jaruwan said the AEC will be asked to take up more corruption allegations relating to the Bangkok garbage project, King Power and Thai Maritime Navigation cases.

However, Nam said the AEC may not be able to take up more cases because its term has been extended on the condition that it cannot accept more cases for investigation.

- The Nation

[Jai Dee]

AEC Chairman to propose new members of subcommittee scrutinizing fire-truck deal

A meeting of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) in the afternoon today (September, 24th) will be appointing new members of the subcommittee investigating the fire-truck and boat procurement by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

AEC Chairman and Chairman of the subcommittee, Nam Yimyaem (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม), says he will propose the meeting to approve the appointment of seven new members of the subcommittee. Mr Nam says some of the old members of the subcommittee who earlier resigned might be re-appointed.

Other members of the panel include officials from the Election Commission. However, Mr Nam says he cannot say whether the officials are those who used to work on the party dissolution case. He affirms the new panel does not include officials from the Department of Special Investigation.

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

[Jai Dee]

NLA’s transport committee to meet with PM to discuss corruption cases in Transport Ministry

Spokesman of the transport committee under the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Phaisarn Phuetmongkol (ไพศาล พืชมงคล), reveals that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont will invite the committee to discuss alleged corruption in the Ministry of Transport.

The spokesman says the committee earlier requested the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to investigate six alleged corruption cases in the ministry. DSI later informed that the corruption really took place and forwarded the case to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

NLA’s transport committee is scheduled to meet with the premier on October 2nd at 15.00 hrs at the Government House. The spokesman says the committee will decide whether to arrange a censure debate against the ministry of transport and the deputy minister of transport after the meeting with the premier. He affirms the committee’s inspection of the corruption cases does not carry any hidden agenda.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 September 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC Chairman will further investigate BMA fire truck purchase

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) Chairman, Mr. Nam Yimyaem (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม), says he will review the previous reports on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s fire truck and boat procurement case before investigating further.

Mr. Nam says the AEC subcommittee has determined the frameworks and guidelines for this case. According to Mr. Nam, previous reports will be thoroughly examined and the subcommittee will then cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to gather more information on involved parties from the Austrian diplomat.

The AEC Chairman says further investigation will focus on the Letter of Credit (LC)'s issuance involving Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin (อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน) concerning, as well as the procurement contract involving the BMA’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, Khunying Nattanon Taweesin (ณฐนนท ทวีสิน), and the former Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mr. Wattana Muangsuk (วัฒนา เมืองสุข), The AEC will file charges against them if proven guilty.

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

[Artisi]

It seems that this particular story will run for ever, however, as I am not being bothered to read because it's all smoke and mirrors - has anyone really addressed the main point of it (the title) and the cure to overcoming that problem.

"Corruption Probes: Ministers Won't Point The Finger, AEC complains that it can't do its job "

Simple solution - withhold evidence when asked in a duly authorised "court" - use the old monopoly dictum -"go to goal, go directly to goal and do not pass go" - this should help to jog the memories and remind the ministers where their allegiances to the country lay.

[cclub75]

Assets Examination Committee (AEC) chairman Nam Yimyaem yesterday expressed disappointment at the slow rate of progress of AEC investigations but blamed lack of cooperation from state agencies for the situation

AEC (or ASC) might have a lot of problems with state agencies... however at that point we could also question their "willingness".*

Here is a good example : CTX Scanners Scandal. US authorities wrote a report (because the supplier was a US company), that report was sent to Thaksin's gvt. And of course was never published.

It took almost 10 month to the AEC... to start to complain that the Foreign Ministry was reluctant... to translate this famous report !

I mean... let's be serious.

Even though some people inside the junta are really willing to nail Thaksin... it's obvious that the typical "thai compromise" will once again prevail : enough to prevent Thaksin to come back in the country (political gain), but not enough to expose the whole system (financial gain).

I think the reason is obvious : many people, and not even Thaksin's croonies, have benefited from this system...

And furthermore, the system must be kept alive. There are so many mouth to feed, right ?...

Edited October 5, 2007 by cclub75

[John K]

Correct cclub75 hence the title of this thread otherwise known as deliberate foot dragging hoping to run out the clock or whatever.

[Jai Dee]

Post box set up for graft tip-offs

A corruption scandal has rocked the Social Development and Human Security Ministry, prompting its minister to open a post box to receive tip-offs about a high-ranking official whose behaviour has recently been attacked in leaflets circulating in the ministry.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham yesterday set up the post box at Government House to deal with this case.

The official has been accused of abusing his authority, manipulating the foundation's funds and having extra-marital affairs.

Paiboon, also a deputy prime minister, said anyone with information about this official could send it to his PO Box No 10, at Government House.

"I am the only person who has access to this post box," Paiboon said.

He assured junior officials they could send in any information without having to worry that their career advancement could be endangered.

Paiboon said he was going to establish a fact-finding committee to investigate the official in question.

"I plan to invite respectable figures outside the ministry to sit on the committee," he said.

National Legislative Assem-bly (NLA) member Juree Vichit-Vadakan said the NLA would closely monitor this case.

Speaking about the official in question, Juree recounted the time when she was an adviser for a research project on the Public Welfare Department's funds.

"Back then, he was serving as either a director-general or deputy director-general of the department. When our project requested to see the expense details, he refused, citing that each fund has a board to handle the fund management."

This department is now known as the Department of Social Development and Wel-fare, which is under the supervision of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry.

A ministry official said that some portion of the welfare allowances were often withheld because senior officials demanded a share in the funds.

"Local officials have to keep between 10 and 20 per cent of the fund budget for the senior officials," the official said on condition of anonymity.

The official explained that when foundations were established to receive donations it was hard for relevant authorities to detect irregularities.

Source: The Nation - 06 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Democrat party satisfied with AEC s 1 year work

The Democrat Party expresses satisfaction over the Assets Examination Committee (AEC)'s performance during its one year term while offering full cooperation if headed the next administration.

Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Polabutr (อลงกรณ์ พลบุตร) says he is satisfied with the AEC's progress on the 13 corruption cases involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร) and his allies. He expressed his belief that all cases shall proceed against them.

Mr. Alongkorn anticipates that the AEC would submit its investigations to public prosecutors in order to file suits against the culprits by December at least three cases, namely the Suvarnabhumi Airport CTX 9000's bomb scanner purchase, the procurement of 90 million tons of para rubber saplings and EXIM bank’s loan to Myanmar government.

Mr. Alongkorn vows his party would provide full support, without interfering its performance, to facilitate the committee's work if elected as a new government.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Permanent secretary of Justice to chair committee probing adultery and corruption in SDHS

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Human Security (SDHS) Paiboon Wattanasiritham (ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม) says the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice will be officially appointed today as chairman of a committee to scrutinize high-ranking officials allegedly involved in adultery and corruption.

Mr Paiboon said he appointed justice permanent secretary Charan Phakdithanakul (จรัญ ภักดีธนากุล) as the committee’s chairman as the latter is a senior justice official. However, Mr Paiboon adds that the alleged people are deemed innocent until proven they had committed serious misconducts.

The minister says further that he will consult the committee before deciding whether to transfer the alleged people who have yet contacted him to explain their charges.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 October 2007

[Pundi64]

For every finger pointed, there are three pointing back at them-

[Jai Dee]

Corruption lingers on at SSO

The Social Security Office will continue to fall prey to dishonest officials unless it undergoes a major overhaul soon

The interim Surayud administration has disappointingly taken the easy way out on the crucial question of how to improve the administrative efficiency and corporate governance of the Social Security Office by leaving the current corruption-prone organisational set-up largely unchanged. Politicians at the Labour Ministry will continue to hold great influence over the appointment of SSO administrators rather than selection being based on a meritocracy whereby the most competent candidates are chosen from a pool of public-sector executives, or high-calibre private sector fund-managers. Instead of transforming the SSO into an autonomous public agency that must meet the highest standards of sound governance and transparent decision-making, the Surayud government has chosen the path of least resistance by turning only the SSO's investment arm into a public agency with a high degree of autonomous power.

The organisation remains under the thumb of politicians.

As things stand, the long-term sustainability of the SSO Fund of over Bt400 billion, on which some nine million workers depend for a wide range of welfare benefits, will remain uncertain. Past experience has proven many times that SSO administrators appointed by politicians cannot be trusted to serve the best interests of insured workers. Apparently, the Surayud government does not consider the SSO's future prospects a matter of urgency.

There are at least three glaring corruption scandals from the Thaksin era that have already done or will do serious damage to the SSO's finances which the Surayud government has neglected to act on. These include the procurement of a Bt2.8-billion computer system, the purchase of the over-priced Wattajak office building, and the Bt10-billion loan project for SSO's low-cost housing programme.

The Council of State, the government's legal advisory body, has already ruled that the computer procurement and loan projects were unlawful because they contradicted the Social Security Act BE 2533. Now the SSO must scrap the project and the contractor engaged to install the computer system will likely sue the SSO to seek compensation for loss of business.

The loan project for low-cost housing has already been cancelled.

The Wattajak building, purchased by the SSO for Bt389 million, was found to have cost Bt100 million more than its market value.

No one among top SSO administrators or senior officials at the Labour Ministry, which has administrative purview of the SSO, has been taken to task over these cases.

It was obvious for everyone to see that there must have been collusion among top SSO executives and Labour Ministry officials who served under the Thaksin government to implement the projects in violation of the SSO Act. Certainly the SSO's deviation from good stewardship of the Social Security Fund was no accident. Rather it is symptomatic of the ingrained corruption that continues to persist even as the Surayud government vows to clean up politics and reform the bureaucracy before putting the country back on track to the full restoration of democracy. All of the anti-corruption efforts by the Surayud government now sound like empty promises.

Some past and present administrators have been accused of introducing new, wasteful services that mimic the previous government's populist policies or of favouring certain interest groups at the expense of insured workers. The Surayud government did not push for a thorough investigation into these cases to find out who was responsible for any wrongdoing.

The Social Security Fund may grow to become the single biggest fund in the country with Bt1 trillion in assets in 10 years. However, that is no cause for SSO-insured workers or the government to be lulled into complacency. At some point in the foreseeable future, the fund's intake of contributions from workers, employers and the government and the huge outflow in the form of pension annuities will require meticulous management to ensure long-term sustainability.

Corruption must be nipped in the bud now and not allowed to undermine the future of the SSO. It is still not too late for the government to do the right thing because it has a few more months to go before handing power to the new democratically elected government to emerge from the general election scheduled for December.

Editorial Opinion by The Nation - 09 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC to conclude digit lotteries case within this month

The subcommittee responsible for investigating the distribution of two- and three-digit lotteries under the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) expects to wrap up the case by the end of this month.

The subcommittee chairman, Mr. Udom Fuangfung (นายอุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), said after the AEC concluded five issues in yesterday’s meeting that he will convene another meeting soon to speed up the operation.

According to Mr. Udom, there are 15 other issues to be considered, and they are expected to be completed within this month or at the end of next month at the latest.

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

[sriracha john]

My fault- I thought you were speaking of peasants confronting the moneyed elites in history- you were, I see, speaking specifically of Thailand. But what was this confrontation you refer to then? Voting TRT was hardly tantamount to confronting the establishment. So what is your question- what is the psychological nature of people who champion the poor? What is their angle? Why would anybody care?

We had TRT moblising 300,000 farmers to descend on Thailand and threatening to do it again if PAD was to resume their protests. We had trained and armed forest rangers, we had people hired to beat up protesters in plain view of the police. We had an opinion that the coup was staged to prevent imminent violence.

No, you had TRT claiming 300 000 farmers coming down to Bangkok, to demonstrate peacefully, which is in their democratic right as much as the PAD demonstrations.

The alleged trained and "armed" (a few guns borrowed from the army, nothing of any consequence especially not against the far better equipped army) forest rangers were nothing but another unproven allegation by Sonthi L., the man who also propagated the ridiculous "Finland Declaration". There is no proof, or even evidence for any of those ridiculous claims.

Yes, voting TRT wasn't a move against the establishment in itself, and had Thaksin campaigned on "let's go to Bangkok and kick some ass" platform he wouldn't get anywhere, but that's what he incited farmers to do once he got their trust.

Generals don't want anyone else pulling the same trick, and that refers to socialists as well. Communism is actually illegal in Thailand.

SBK is right with her warning - as soon as you look into socialism, the challenge to the system comes up, and we know what follows next. That's why socialism is a non-starter, it's tolerated in academia only and is never presented to the public for scrutiny, it won't stand a chance as a political platform.

I don't want to second guess moderators, but i believe the statement had more to do with *you* not leaving this subject alone. Exactly what you do again. Just <deleted> leave it, for christ's sake.

They'd do far better if they concentrate on real issues and practical solutions. All we heard here form them is Thai system bashing instead - history, culture, national identity, politics, policies, religion, army, police, elites, now middle classes - nothing escapes them.

As you said, the constitution did seek to broaden power- but as you also said, it was drawn up for the elites on behalf of the middle class

I think I said it was written BY elites (Anand et al) in response to demands made by middle class. It was not FOR elites, it was called "people's constitution".

Here are some other interesting reasons why socialism would never take off in Thailand - middle classes support the "system", and the poor, downtrodden Isanites are actually the happiest bunch of all Thais. Hardly a revolutionary mix.

Unbelievable, just don't let truth spoil a good story. The Land of Smile, the poor happy farmers. So happy that these happy villages are regularly emtied of young people who so happily work 16 hour shifts in the industrial zones in factories far from their homes, brothels all around Thailand and abroad staffed by the so happy daughters (and sons) of those happy farmers, happily serving the needs of their clients.

Excuse my sarcasm, but isn't it even obvious to you that there is something slightly wrong with your view on Thailand????

UPDATE

Court Schedules 1st Hearing Session for Libel Suit on 'Finland Declaration'

The court has scheduled Manager Media Group Founder Sondhi Limthonkul and 10 others, who are defendants in the defamation lawsuit for organizing a seminar to discuss the Finland Declaration filed by the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, to testify in August next year.

The Criminal Court scheduled a meeting on Monday between plaintiffs and defendants to scrutinize evidence in regard to the libel lawsuit that the Thai Rak Thai Party and its former leader Thaksin Shinawatra filed against Manager Media Group Founder and host of the 'Thailand Weekly' program, Sondhi Limthongkul and ten others for defaming Thai Rak Thai and Thaksin by broadcasting a seminar on the 'Finland Declaration: Strategies to Change Administration'.

The seminar was broadcast live via ASTV and the Manager Website from Thammasat University. The Finland Declaration is claimed to be a plot to change Thailand's ruling system discussed at a meeting in Finland by several key members of the Thai Rak Thai Party and other prominent figures in Thailand.

The court scrutinized the defendants' testimony and it was proved to be in line with the testimony given during the inquiry session.

The plaintiffs' lawyer informed the court that he wants 20 witnesses to testified in seven sessions, while the defendants' attorney requested the court to question 21 witnesses in six sessions.

The court scheduled the testimony of the first witness of the plaintiffs on May 27 and the first witness of the defendants on August 20 next year.

- Thailand Outlook

*edit... Christmas-theme colored text added to clarify who said what...

Edited December 17, 2007 by sriracha john