Corruption Probes: Ministers Won't Point The Finger

[Hog Head]

what ever happened to the Revenue Dept seizing the Taksin kids assets? Last news I saw was the Revenue Head being called up to explain why he had done nothing

[Gary A]

A new broom sweeps clean. Unfortunately all the politicians are old brooms and it will be business as usual. It's the good ole boys network, you don't tell on me and I won't tell on you.

[hammered]

A new broom sweeps clean. Unfortunately all the politicians are old brooms and it will be business as usual. It's the good ole boys network, you don't tell on me and I won't tell on you.

You may just be onto something there. Unfortunately

[sriracha john]

what ever happened to the Revenue Dept seizing the Taksin kids assets? Last news I saw was the Revenue Head being called up to explain why he had done nothing

They've been taken....

Assets of Thai ex-premier's kin seized

BANGKOK, Thailand—Thai tax authorities have seized assets worth about $34.2 million *1,037,970,013 Baht* from family members of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, an official said Thursday.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1705943

[Jai Dee]

Update:

AEC panel to probe labs deal

Newin, 52 others face inquiry into laboratory 'scam'

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday appointed an investigative committee to probe 53 people, including Newin Chidchob, for alleged corruption in a project to control the quality of food exports, AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said.

An investigative sub-panel headed by Saowanee Assawaroj was appointed to investigate alleged corruption in the Central Lab project.

The 53 people include politicians, executives, directors and officials of firms that allegedly colluded to rig bidding for the project.

Newin, then agriculture minister, is accused of abuse of authority and violation of Article 10, 11, 13 of Offence involving State Agencies' Bidding Act (1999), Article 84 of the Criminal Law and Article 66 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act.

Sak said the AEC fact-finding panel found irregularities in the project. Politicians changed the structure of the agency that ran the project from a public organisation to a limited company. The panel suspected politicians wanted to interfere in the project's management - if the project was run by a company, it would not be subject to state rules.

The panel found the project was launched in 2003 without a feasibility study to assess if the project was a good investment. The company's service was not popular because export goods still needed approval from state agencies to ensure quality and state labs offered a lower price for this.

Some branches of the company bought expensive lab equipment to check the quality of seafood but it was never used because the branches were located far from the coast and no customers wanted to use the service.

Sitthiporn Associates and Vichitchai Thonburi won the Bt1.6-billion deal to build the laboratory and buy and install testing units. But drafting of contract terms was found to favour certain bidders.

Sak said a member of the committee determining the specification was closely connected with high-ranking executives of a company that sells laboratory equipment. The price of the equipment purchased by the project was inflated by at least Bt343 million because it was bought through several agents.

Source: The Nation - 29 January 2008

[sriracha john]

Newin Chidchob

Newin to be probed over Food Exports Lab Scandal

An investigative committee was appointed by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday to investigate 53 individuals, including Newin Chidchob, former Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister during the deposed Thaksin administration, alleged for corruption in the Central Lab project to control food exports’ quality.

Newin Chidchob, a banned former Thai Rak Thai party executive was alleged for abuse of power while in office by illegally directing the establishment of a selected company to run the project.

The banned politician along with 52 other individuals were found involved with vested interests in the Central Lab project, leading to numerous irregularities being discovered in the establishment of the organization to run the project, bidding process and contract terms, along with the procurement of laboratory equipments.

Reportedly, the structure of the organization which ran the project was changed from public to a limited company, considering projects ran by private firms will not be subjected to government regulations.

The panel’s findings concluded that participated politicians in the project had intervened with the overall project’s management to avoid being controlled by state rule.

According to AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang, the 53 accused include politicians, company’s executives and directors, along with officials from various organizations which participated in the bidding of the project.

Newin’s abuse of power and his misconduct had violated Article 10, 11, 13 of Offence involving State Agencies’ Bidding Act (1999), Article 84 of the Criminal Law and Article 66 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act.

The project was launched and approved by the previous administration of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003 without any feasibility study to determine whether the project was worthwhile for investment.

During the project implementation, certain branches of the company in question had purchased high-priced laboratory equipments to monitor seafood’s quality, but the equipments had never been used since the branches’ locations were far off from the coast, leading to decreasing demand for the services by their customers.

However, the committee discovered that the contract terms were drafted to favor certain bidders of the project, especially Sitthiporn Associates and Vichitchai Thonburi, who won the 1.6 billion baht concession to construct the laboratory and purchase relevant testing equipments for the project.

- Thailand Outlook

[Jai Dee]

AEC may increase frequency of meetings

Spokesman of the Assests Examination Committee (AEC)Sak Kosaengruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) conveyed the idea of AEC Chairman Nam Yimyaem (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม) that the commission should increase the frequency of its meetings. The body currently meets once a week and is considering meeting twice a week to be able to conclude cases for the Office of the Attorney General in a more expedient fashion.

The AEC has yet considered the matter but it is expected to bring up the issue in its next meeting. The upcoming meeting will also see various committees within the AEC presenting progress made in their cases and reports from the Attorney General’s Office.

Mr. Sak said that the committee will give special attention to the ongoing issue of 2 and 3 digit lotteries, which it is preparing to forward to the court.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

What happened to the bbc guy Jalichandra who was in the headlines yesterday ?

Did he ever serve any time out of his allotted jail sentence as i do not recall any follow up on this issue.

The article i will quote for reference:-

Another jail term for Krirk-kiat Jalichandra

Krirk-kiat Jalichandra, former president of defunct Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC), was sentenced to a 20-year imprisonment and also held responsible for the penalties of Bt1.16 billion as well as the compensations of Bt598 million to BBC.

The Criminal Court Thursday ruled that the compensations and the repayments are to be born by Krirk-kiat and two accomplices who also receive the 20-year imprisonment each, for the charged embezzlement of Bt1.23 billion from the bank through a transaction between BBC and Development Finance & Investment.

Earlier, Krirk-kiat was sentenced by the Criminal Court Ratchada and Southern Bangkok Criminal Court for the imprisonment of 70 years for 5 felonies. He has launched the appeal against the sentence.

The Nation

Unquote.

Reference url:- http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/r...newsid=30032191

Update: Krirkkiart gets 35-year imprisonment for approving loan to Support Systems

The Criminal Court Wednesday sentenced former Bangkok Bank of Commerce President Krirkkiart Jalichandra to 35 years in prison an a fine of Bt4 billion for unlawfully approving a loan to Support Systems Co Ltd.

The court convicted Krirkkiart in violating the directives of the Bank of Thailand and the Security Exchange Commission by approving the loan.

Source: The Nation - 03 September 2008

[JetsetBkk]

Update: Krirkkiart gets 35-year imprisonment for approving loan to Support Systems

The Criminal Court Wednesday sentenced former Bangkok Bank of Commerce President Krirkkiart Jalichandra to 35 years in prison an a fine of Bt4 billion for unlawfully approving a loan to Support Systems Co Ltd.

The court convicted Krirkkiart in violating the directives of the Bank of Thailand and the Security Exchange Commission by approving the loan.

Source: The Nation - 03 September 2008

So where exactly is he?

Is he in jail somewhere, or out on bail/on the run/abroad on holiday?

Has he paid up the Bt4 billion/has his money been seized?

Or has he been given 30 days to appeal/do a runner, never to be heard of again?

[jitagon]

Just a small, but I think significant example, of how stopping corruption in government offices is absolutely achievable.

Here on Phuket, the local vehicle licensing authority flat out refused to issue driving licences to anyone who hadn't passed their driving test. It doesn't matter whether you are Thai or not, they won't accept any bribe, and haven't done for the past few years. Ironically, it started when Taksin, as part of his smoke and mirrors campaign to 'clamp down on corruption' threatened them all with the sack.

Now if one government office here on one island in Thailand can do it, why can't they all?

[DavidBrook]

Newin Chidchob

Newin to be probed over Food Exports Lab Scandal

An investigative committee was appointed by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday to investigate 53 individuals, including Newin Chidchob, former Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister during the deposed Thaksin administration, alleged for corruption in the Central Lab project to control food exports’ quality.

Newin Chidchob, a banned former Thai Rak Thai party executive was alleged for abuse of power while in office by illegally directing the establishment of a selected company to run the project.

The banned politician along with 52 other individuals were found involved with vested interests in the Central Lab project, leading to numerous irregularities being discovered in the establishment of the organization to run the project, bidding process and contract terms, along with the procurement of laboratory equipments.

Reportedly, the structure of the organization which ran the project was changed from public to a limited company, considering projects ran by private firms will not be subjected to government regulations.

The panel’s findings concluded that participated politicians in the project had intervened with the overall project’s management to avoid being controlled by state rule.

According to AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang, the 53 accused include politicians, company’s executives and directors, along with officials from various organizations which participated in the bidding of the project.

Newin’s abuse of power and his misconduct had violated Article 10, 11, 13 of Offence involving State Agencies’ Bidding Act (1999), Article 84 of the Criminal Law and Article 66 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act.

The project was launched and approved by the previous administration of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2003 without any feasibility study to determine whether the project was worthwhile for investment.

During the project implementation, certain branches of the company in question had purchased high-priced laboratory equipments to monitor seafood’s quality, but the equipments had never been used since the branches’ locations were far off from the coast, leading to decreasing demand for the services by their customers.

However, the committee discovered that the contract terms were drafted to favor certain bidders of the project, especially Sitthiporn Associates and Vichitchai Thonburi, who won the 1.6 billion baht concession to construct the laboratory and purchase relevant testing equipments for the project.

- Thailand Outlook

Insofar as Thailand is concerned, this guy is poison. The antichrist. The sooner they bang him for a very long time the sooner Thailand will be able to get over the consequences of his thievery and shit-stirring. 2 satangs-worth.

D

[sriracha john]

Scandals to be probed

Incoming Deputy Public Health Minister Vallop Thaineua will oversee investigations into two of the ministry's biggest corruption scandals.

They surround its Bt900-million computer procurement and Bt340-million ambulance procurement.

"I plan to forward investigation results to an independent committee for review," Vallop said yesterday. "We're looking for well-respected, neutral persons to sit on the committee."

If the results are comprehensive, the investigations can be concluded. If not, the independent committee will investigate further.

"This is to ensure transparency," Vallop said.

Before Vallop followed a political path, he was a respected medical professional. However, in 2004, then-public-health minister and Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan transferred him to an inactive post, alleging he had failed to carry out government policies.

After Vallop's transfer, many senior health officials submitted their resignations in support of him. He later hit out at Sudarat over the computer project.

Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla said the investigation results would come out this month.

Source: The Nation - 03 May 2007

UPDATE... it's been a bit more than a month... but it's back on...

Former Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan (right) of the Former PM Thaksin administration and Former Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung of the Former PM Samak administration (left)

Graft probe on ambulances revived

Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai says he will revive the probe on the multi-million baht ambulance procurement scheme after the Office of the Auditor-General found irregularities related to the project. His team was gathering information about the procurement before making any decisions on the issue, the Minister said in response to an OAG report sent to the Public Health Ministry, the PM, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The report said corrupt activities involving the ambulance bidding were "substantial." It referred to a decision by Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongwirote who allegedly altered the terms of reference for the 464 Million Baht procurement project. The changes were illegal under laws related to government organisation tenders, the report said. Mr Witthaya said he had not received the report but he had talked with Dr Prat about the issue. Dr Prat, who will retire this year, declined to comment. The procurement of 232 ambulances began in 2003 when Sudarat Keyuraphan was Public Health Minister.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...larities-probed

Edited February 4, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Auditor-General sees graft in ambulance deal

Public Health Minister Wittaya Kaewparadai said yesterday that he would oversee the investigation into corruption cases after a report from the Auditor-General's Office said some top-level ministry officials were involved in the 340 Million Baht ambulance procurement scandal.

Wittaya said he had assigned his advisers to collect all available information about so-called "deals" that might have taken place before he took his post. "All officials must cooperate in this operation," he advised.

The report, released by the Auditor-General's Office yesterday, showed that some senior ministry officials had amended the terms of reference, that were significantly beneficial for the private company, when purchasing 232 ambulances.

Such amendments violate the government procurement bill.

Wittaya said neither the Auditor-General's Office nor the ministry's Permanent Secretary had officially notified him about the scandal, and that he had only learned about it from news reports.

"I will give more details to the public and the press after I receive official notification," he added.

When asked if he would establish a committee to investigate the case, he said he would first study the Auditor-General's regulations to see if he can actually set up such a panel.

Wittaya said he would study the quality of the ambulances and the equipment to see if they complied with all standards when purchased two years ago. The ambulances have already been delivered to hospitals across the country.

Head of the Department of Medical Science, Dr Manit Teeratantikanont, who was chairman of the committee for ambulance procurement, has insisted the procurement complied with the terms of reference and procurement regulations to purchase the vehicles in good quality and a price under the terms of reference.

The former Permanent Secretary Dr Kittisak Klabdee, who chaired a committee to check the ambulance and medical equipment items, said the panel checked all ambulances and medical equipment at the time to ensure qualifications matched the terms of reference. "I am ready to explain about this case to the Auditor-General's Office," he said.

- The Nation / 2009-02-05

[sriracha john]

More progress in the Thaksin-era corruption prosecution...

Former Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thaksin Cabinet

Charges ready in ambulance scandal

Top officials of the Public Health Ministry are facing legal charges over the purchase of new ambulances for state hospitals after the Office of the Auditor-General filed a complaint with police. A letter signed by OAG Deputy Chief Pisit Leelavachiropas as well as a 155-page fact-finding report have been sent to the National Police Office. The letter includes a request for police to make a case against Permanent Secretary for Public Health Prat Boonyawongwirote as well as the procurement and specification panels. Mr Pisit also asked the NCCC to investigate Dr Prat. The OAG last week accused Dr Prat of direct involvement in alleged corruption in the bid for the ambulances. It claimed he made a decision in 2005 to change seven items in the terms of reference (ToR) of the 464 Million Baht ambulance procurement plan.

The tender for the 232 ambulances began in 2003 when Sudarat Keyuraphan headed the Public Health Ministry.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...lances-purchase

[animatic]

Mr Pisit also asked the NCCC to investigate Dr Prat.

This line would go over great in the Pubs of ole blighty`!

[sriracha john]

Mr Pisit also asked the NCCC to investigate Dr Prat.

This line would go over great in the Pubs of ole blighty`!

and here he is... Dr. Prat

[majorpacman]

Toxin former group :Thai Rak Thai (Thai Loves Thai)

But in actual reality its Tha Koung Thai (Thai scams Thai), this is not only Toxin, but it's part of Thai life.

Sure there are good people out in thailand, but sadly not enough.

You got the moneys, high power positions and Thai politeness...you get what you wants. With all that politeness, there are the scam and corruption.

This been around for a long time in Thailand and will be. I wouldn't be surprise if other SEA countries, become more developed then thailand.

BTW, Dr Prat looks like the same fool that try to denial my rights in getting thing done at local aumpor .....he got same messed up eyes as that guy i was piss off about. that's another story

Edited July 27, 2009 by majorpacman

[slapout]

The big question in this and many other long drawn out deals, where corruption has been acknowledged, how is the money divided up between the politicians who initially start the project and those that continue to the finish? The honor and integrity among thieves known elsewhere does not seem to apply in Thailand. It would not make good business sense to pay a kickback in its entirety, until all services/equipment is provide and all monies had been received for same. This must create a real problem at times with the accounting/position/relationship in the grand scam. Is it possible this is why a project is divided up into numerous procurement processes via different people/groups?

[animatic]

Scandals to be probed

If the results are comprehensive, the investigations can be concluded.

If not, the independent committee will investigate further.

Former Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan (right) of the Former PM Thaksin administration and Former Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung of the Former PM Samak administration (left)

This could all be explained if she is Sarah Palin in Asian drag.

This is the Republican parties Asian branch office.