Corruption Probes: Ministers Won't Point The Finger

[sriracha john]

Subcommittee inspecting the rubber sapling graft holds its first meeting

The first meeting of the Subcommittee inspecting the rubber sapling graft case was held yesterday at 10.00 hours.

Mr.Bancherd Singkhaneti, the chief of the Subcommittee, revealed that the today meeting will set up the framework on investigation the case, and all 8 names of the Subcommittee will be released.

Currently, over 70 people suspected of involvement in the graft have been forwarded to the investigation committee.

The suspected people include former deputy minister of agriculture and cooperatives, Newin Chidchob

Interesting that an Agricultural Ministry official would procure Agricultural products through the Agricultural Ministry for his own Agricultural land:

Meanwhile, a panel investigating corruption in the purchase of rubber saplings said they were trying to ascertain if former PM's Office Minister [AND former Deputy Agricultural Minister] Newin Chidchob bought the saplings from the project to grow on his land in Buri Ram's Satu district.

- The Nation

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

I wonder how many of the dead rubber saplings, that so many others got "stuck" with, got sent to his farm..... any?

[Jai Dee]

Attorney of Shinawatra family objected against the selection of AEC subcommittee

The attorney of Shinawatra family opposed the selection of the Assets Examination Committee’s (AEC) subcommittee responsible for investigating the purchases of CTX 9000 explosive detection baggage scanning devices and the baggage-handling system for Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Mr. Amnuay Thantara, the chairperson of this subcommittee, said he was not aware that the Shinawatra’s attorney submitted a letter to protest against the selection of his subcommittee today (Feb 1). Mr. Amnuay said he did not know the details because AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem is considering the issue before discussing it at the AEC meeting on February 5th.

The subcommittee comprises of Mr. Amnuay as the chairman, Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka, ACM Arun Promthep, Pol. Col. (special) Chaithat Ratthanaphand, Mr. Paitoon Tippayarat, Mr. Suwit Iamsa-ad and Mrs.Nuntawan Kittiwatcharaphong.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Bureaucrats must be made to answer

Govt must break the conspiracy of silence by officials if the AEC is to succeed in its corruption probe

Members of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) assigned to investigate alleged corruption by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and some of his Cabinet ministers have been complaining for a while that their work is being held up because government officials are not cooperating. In order to do its job properly, the AEC needs to get the heads of agencies where cases of bribery, graft or embezzlement supposedly took place to file formal complaints against wrongdoers and supply AEC investigators with relevant evidence to back up those charges.

However, many officials are reluctant to admit that corruption had taken place in their agencies, because they previously served under the Thaksin government, as well. By admitting that corruption had taken place, they could put themselves in an awkward situation, if not actually present themselves as potential targets of investigation. That is because Cabinet members could not have engaged in acts of corruption if it were not for the acquiescence or active participation of bureaucrats.

Another possible reason for their reluctance to cooperate is that some senior bureaucrats who colluded with the Thaksin government's numerous corruption scandals are still half expecting Thaksin or some of his proteges to stage a triumphant comeback through the general election that is supposed to be held by the end of the year. Apparently in an act of self-preservation, these officials would rather sit tight and do nothing than cooperate with the AEC and possibly face Thaksin's wrath.

The AEC said that foot-dragging was evident in at least two alleged cases of corruption against Thaksin and his cronies. These were the land purchase by Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, from the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund, which reeks of conflict of interest; and the corruption scandal surrounding the rubber-saplings procurement project at the Agriculture Ministry and the Office of the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund.

The Surayud government and the Council for National Security (CNS) have done little to prod permanent officials at those agencies - at both the permanent-secretary and director-general levels - into action, despite the fact that dealing with the corruption that took place on Thaksin's watch was cited as a major justification for the overthrow of the Thaksin government last September 19.

In some respects, the reticence that bureaucrats have shown comes as little surprise. Even though both the current government and the CNS are now wielding virtual absolute power, it is obvious they are trying their best not to offend senior members of the state bureaucracy, which is one of the Kingdom's most influential interest groups. But both the government and the CNS must realise that their vacillations are sending the wrong signal to government officials who may interpret their inaction as a sign of weakness and therefore continue to sit on their hands.

The Surayud government must quit its hand-wringing and do what needs to be done. Let us not forget that the AEC, which is an ad-hoc body, will be disbanded and leave the scene as soon as the Surayud government and the CNS hand over power to the new democratically elected government around the end of the year. It cannot be emphasised enough that a failure by the Surayud government and the CNS to turn the screws and make government officials cooperate with the AEC's investigations and enable it to prove Thaksin's guilt in connection with numerous corruption scandals would be nothing short of disastrous.

Such a failure would not only diminish the credibility of the Surayud government and the military council, but also pose a threat to the future of Thailand as a democracy. As self-appointed restorers of democracy who promised to rid Thai politics of corruption, the Surayud government and the CNS must act decisively and compel any uncooperative government officials to change their ways or face punishment. After all, the Surayud government, like its predecessors, has the power to hire and fire top bureaucrats at any ministry who do not cooperate with its anti-corruption campaign, one of its top priorities.

Editorial Opinion from The Nation - 2 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

Firms, MPs 'colluded' on airport

Contractors, heads could be charged

A sub-panel under the Assets Scrutiny Committee has found that two contractors of Airports of Thailand Plc colluded with 22 politicians and officials accused of involvement in the ''overpriced'' procurement of a baggage-handling system for Suvarnabhumi airport, a source in the inquiry team said yesterday. The system included the 26 CTX bomb-scanning machines.

The sub-panel, chaired by Amnuay Tantara, will ask the ASC on Monday to file a complaint against ITO Joint Venture and Quatrotec as well as six of their representatives of criminal offences for their alleged collusion. Its decision was based on the testimony of witnesses that indicated the two companies had colluded with the 22 accused people to force AoT to accept the overpriced quotations, the source said.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[Jai Dee]

Former opposition Democrat party unveils 'corruption menu'

The former opposition Democrat Party has issued a "Black Paper" featuring a menu of alleged corruption which it says took place under the previous government led by deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

At the party's headquarters, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva introduced the Black Paper containing 34 items of a "corruption menu" involving alleged corruption involving government and corporate projects, both at the policy or implementation level, by the previous Thaksin administration.

The alleged misconducts and graft involved the Bt73 billion sale of Shin Corp shares by Mr. Thaksin's family to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, Shin Corp's tax-evasion case, and the Ministry of Agriculture's rubber sapling procurement scheme among other scandals.

Mr. Abhisit suggested the current government under Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont should study his party's Black Paper to better deal with those malpractices allegedly done during the Thaksin regime.

The Democrat Party's collected charges will be distributed to the Assets Examination Committee, the National Counter-Corruption Commission, the National Legislative Assembly, embassies in Bangkok and the mass media.

Source: TNA - 5 February 2007

[sriracha john]

.... now they're getting serious....

CORRUPTION FIGHT

New law to give AEC more teeth in graft probes

Legislation to give committee power to demand cooperation from govt agencies

A new law is being drafted to give the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) more power to demand cooperation from relevant state agencies in its investigations into corrupt politicians.

Pornthip Jala, secretary-general of the Council of State, the government's legal advisory arm, said yesterday there had been much progress in the drafting of the new legislation.

"We're going to complete it soon and will immediately report to the prime minister," she said.

Deputy Premier and Finance Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula yesterday confirmed that the Council of State was drafting a new law to increase the AEC's power.

Pornthip yesterday said some state agencies had failed to co-operate with the AEC as it was set up by an announcement of the Council for Democratic Reform, which staged the coup in September.

She said when it became law, the relevant agencies and officials would need to co-operate with the AEC - or they would be punished.

In their recent meeting with Council for National Security (CNS) chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and officials from relevant agencies, AEC chief Nam Yimyaem and other members complained about the failure of some agencies and officials to provide the necessary information and documents in its investigations. Others also failed to file petitions against corrupt politicians, the AEC said.

In a related development, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday agreed to seek amendments to an anti-graft law so that it would no longer require a damaged party to file petitions against public officials suspected of irregularities, a source said.

The planned changes to the Corruption Prevention and Suppression Act of 1999 would make it easier to begin investigations into suspected irregularities by politicians, which in the end would benefit the work of the AEC, according to the source.

The NCCC would today present its proposed amendment to the Justice Ministry so that it would be forwarded to the Cabinet, the source said.

Meanwhile, the AEC yesterday named eight individuals and private companies as additional co-wrongdoers in its probe into alleged irregularities involving the CTX bomb scanners and baggage carrousels for the trouble-plagued Suvarnabhumi Airport, AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said.

Those accused include the construction giant Italian-Thai Development Plc, and Thai and foreign executives of the project's contractors, according to the spokesman.

Previously the AEC accused 23 former Cabinet members and state officials of involvement in the CTX scandal, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, ex-transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Airports of Thailand Plc's ex-chairman Srisuk Chandrangsu.

The AEC yesterday agreed to write to Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to reiterate its earlier request for the Cabinet to issue a resolution requiring relevant government agencies to co-operate with its investigations, said spokesman Sak. The solution had been agreed at the AEC's meeting with the CNS chief but no action had been taken by the Cabinet.

The AEC also rejected a petition by Thaksin's lawyers opposing the appointment of three members of the CTX case's probe panel, including Auditor General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, on grounds that they had a conflict of interest about the matter and had a personal dispute with Thaksin.

The AEC argued that the grounds cited by Thaksin's lawyers were not convincing, according to the spokesman.

The Nation

[Jai Dee]

Khunying Jaruwan shrugs off allegations of her connection to CTX bomb scanner graft case

The Auditor-General Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka (จารุวรรณ เมณฑกา) said that she is not worried of the opposition against her as a member of the sub-committee inspecting CTX procurement scandal.

The lawyer of Shinawatra’s family has submitted a letter requesting the withdrawal of Khunying Jarawan as member of the investigation sub-committee. The letter casted doubts over Khunying Jaruwan's impartiality on the case.

Khunying Jaruwan affirmed that the matters are not interfered by personal issue.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will consider the request of the Shinwatra’s lawyer in the meeting today.

As for news claiming about the meeting between the Council for National Security (CNS) and AEC, Khunying Jaruwan said that there is no need for the joint meeting at this moment.

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

[Jai Dee]

Minister to PM's Office affirms government will tackle corruption

The Minister to the Prime Minister's Office affirms that the government would proceed with the elimination of corruption, and would be proposing conflict of interest regulations to the National Legislative Assembly.

The deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Mr. Alongkorn Polbuth (อลงกรณ์ พลบุตร), presented 35 black papers on Thaksin era corruption to The Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Theerapat Seri Rangsan (ธีรภัทร เสรีรังสรรค์ ) for conveyance to the Cabinet. Mr. Alongkorn said that the papers would illustrate 34 incident of corruption in the Thaksin Administration during the past 5 years in terms of policy, and personal interests. The deputy Democrat leader asked the government to study the papers and take necessary action.

Mr. Theerapat said that the government seemed to have a clear policy in preventing and suppressing corruption. The deputy Democrat leader said that regulations are currently being passed by the National Legislative Assembly against conflict of interests, and to extend the legal period in which corruption could be investigated. While the Minister to the Prime Minister's Office affirms that the Cabinet will be handling the proposed measures appropriately.

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

[Jai Dee]

Jurisdiction to AEC does not mean unrestricted powers of arrest

The Minister to the Prime Minister's Office affirms that an increase in jurisdiction to the Assets Examination Committee meant only additional powers in processing investigations and not unrestricted powers of arrest or detainment.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Prasit Kor-wilaikul (ประสิทธิ์ โฆวิไลยกูล), said that an amendment to the 30th Declaration of the former Council For Democratic Reform Under Constitutional Monarchy (คปค.) to increase jurisdiction to the Assets Examination Committee would provide the AEC with greater legal prosecution authority, but would not allow the committee to conduct arrests or detainments. Mr. Prasit said that the change to the 30th Declaration would attempt to minimize damage to the justice system. The Council for National Security has assigned the Minister of Justice, Mr. Charnchai Likitchinta the task of discussing the change with Mr. Prasit and to present their findings to the Cabinet for further approval.

The Minister to the Prime Minister's Office added that AEC would proceed with its investigation concerning the Government Lottery Office, following amendments being implemented on the Government Lottery Office Act. Mr. Prasit said that once the changes were completed, the deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, M.R. Pridiyathorn Devakul could present the matter to the National Legislative Assembly for further consideration.

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

[Jai Dee]

NCCC to discuss corruption eradication with PM

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) will be entering discussions with the Prime Minister to obtain a solution to corruption as part of national agenda.

The Chairman of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), Mr. Parnthep Klanarongrarn (ปานเทพ กล้าณรงค์ราญ), and delegates will be traveling to meet with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanon today (Feb 8) at Government House to propose resolute anti-corruption measures to the government. Mr. Parnthep said that the meeting stemmed from Prime Minister Suraryud Chulanon's recent declaration that corruption prevention and suppression would be integrated into national agenda.

The NCCC will be discussing counter-corruption activities for 2007 to present to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a gift on the meritorious occasion of His Majesty's 80th cycle birthday.

The National Counter Corruption Commission will also be affixing His Majesty's royal image at the entrance of its headquarters along with the slogan " Washing corruption from the Kingdom of Thailand as a gift for the King of Kings."

Mr. Parnthep added that a pledge would be solicited from civil servants nationwide to refrain from corrupt practices.

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

[Jai Dee]

AEC indifferent to Mr. Thaksins guilt-free views

The Assets Examination Committee is indifferent to the confidence exhibited by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his belief that he would escape all prosecution

The Chairman of the Assets Examination Committee, Mr. Nam Yimyam (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม), conducted a telephone interview in which he commented on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's confidence of escaping all prosecution. Mr. Nam said that it was Mr. Thaksin's right to express opinions, and that all decisions currently rest with the court. The Chairman said that the AEC would attempt to collect concrete evidence involving Mr. Thaksin before presenting a case file to the court. Mr. Nam believes that the present court members are independent in their work and that Mr. Thaksin would not have an opportunity to influence their findings.

Meanwhile the Assets Examination Committee secretary-general, Mr. Kaewsan Athipothi (แก้วสรร อติโพธิ), critized Mr. Thaksin on making a statement before reviewing the court's evidence.

The AEC spokesperson, Mr. Sak Korkaewruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) said that Mr. Thaksin was entitled to his view, and that no sane suspect would freely admit to being guilty.

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

[Jai Dee]

Gen. Sonthi says investigations of AEC will be clear on May

The Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief and chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, will propel the Assets Examination Committee’s (AEC) investigations before the committee will end its term. However, if the AEC’s tasks have not been accomplished, he would have to discuss the continuation of the committee with the new government.

Gen. Sonthi said many projects from the previous government that are being probed by the AEC at the moment will show clear results in May 2007.

He also said the CNS meeting today (Feb 13) discussed measures to solve poverty by applying His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy philosophy.

The meeting has assigned the Internal Security Operations Command secretary-general, Gen. Montri Sangkasab, to take care of this task.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 Febuary 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC Chairman says PM Surayud is satisfied with the AEC’s performance

The Chairman of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), Mr. Nam Yimyam (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม), said that Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has expressed satisfaction over the AEC’s performances, while insisting that the appointment of former deputy premier Somkid Jatusripitak as chairman of a foreign economic relations committee would not affect the AEC’s work.

Speaking after a meeting with the Prime Minister, Mr. Nam stated that Prime Minister Surayud asked about obstacles to the AEC's work and pledged full cooperation with the panel.

Regarding the appointment of Mr. Somkid as chairman of a foreign coordinating committee, Mr. Nam cited the Prime Minister as saying that Mr. Somkid was a capable person and the Prime Minister wanted him to work with the government. He reiterated that the appointment would not affect the AEC's investigations although Mr. Somkid is one of the accused in a case of corruption involving rubber trade under the previous government.

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

[Jai Dee]

A network from Northeast wants NCCC to probe assets of former Public Health Minister

The National Liberation Network of the Northeast submitted a document to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), alleging former Public Health Minister Pinij Charusombat of reporting false information of his assets.

Mr. Chayan Insorn, a member of the National Liberation Network of the Northeast, traveled to the NCCC office today (Feb 19), calling for the commission to investigate the assets of Mr. Pinij. Mr. Chayan said Mr. Pinij is living with his wife, Mrs. Noree Suksawat, and both of them have two children. According to the information submitted by Mr. Pinij, he is single. Therefore, Mr. Chayan believed the former Public Health Minister has an intention to conceal his assets, and he also referred to his shares of PNN Engineering Company Limited that cost over 100 million baht, his rubber plantations, and his processed wood factory. Thus, the information that says Mr. Pinij has four million baht of debt is deemed false.

The National Liberation Network of the Northeast also would like the NCCC to probe six other former ministers and 11 former permanent secretaries during Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra’s administration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 Febuary 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC to set up new panel investigating two-and three digit lotteries

The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has sent documents on the two-and three-digit lotteries to the Assets Examination Committee (AEC). The AEC subcommittee scrutinizing the distribution of the lotteries has scheduled to set up a panel to investigate the matter on March 5.

President of the subcommittee scrutinizing the two-and three digit lotteries, Udom Feung-fung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง) said that the subcommittee will hold a meeting next week to consider the documents submitted to AEC by GLO before it requests the AEC general meeting to approve the set up the panel.

As for the case of Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra’s land deal, Mr Udom said that yesterday (February, 20) the subcommittee responsible for the case will summon the chief of the Huay Khwang (ห้วยขวาง) Land Office to provide information. The chief was then the registrar of the transfer of the title deed from the seller, the Financial Institutions Development Fund, to the buyer, Khunying Potjaman. Mr Udom affirmed that the subcommittee has investigated the case in strict compliance with legal procedure.

Tomorrow (February, 22), the subcommittee will summon representatives of a private company involved in the procurement to give testimony.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 February 2007

[Jai Dee]

AEC CTX-panel did not coordinate w/ Revenue Dept in examining financial transactions of 38 suspects

The chairman of the subcommittee responsible for probing the procurement of the CTX-9000 bomb scanners and the baggage handling system, Mr. Amnuay Thanthara, turned down the news that his panel coordinated with the Revenue Department in examining the taxes and financial transactions of all 38 suspects.

Mr. Amnuay said his subcommittee is only inspecting the corporate income taxes of some companies that have been involved with the construction of Suvarnabhumi Airport because the submission of corporate income tax will reveal the financial status. However, the information given by the witnesses summoned by the panel is not in accordance with the actual facts, and further investigation on the details has to be carried out since the difference is about 100 million baht.

Mr. Amnuay said the subcommittee is expected to send 22 letters to the first batch of 23 people who have been accused next week to inform them about the charge. However, one of them has some technical difficulties. They are expected to listen to their charges in the beginning of next month. Two of the accused include deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit.

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

[sriracha john]

Breaking news

Law amendment to allow AEC to launch probes

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Wednesday accepted for further consideration a law amendment to allow the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) and the National Counter Corruption Commission to launch investigations without the need for damaged parties or accusers to lodge a complaint.

An adhoc panel is set to finish considering the proposal drafted by the Justice Ministry to amend the National Counter Corruption Act in three days before asking for the NLA approval to become law.

The move came after the AEC had run into legal obstacles in its investigations into alleged graft cases involving the deposed government because state agencies - who are damaged parties - have refused to file complaints against political officer holders.

The Nation

[Jai Dee]

NCCC reveals assets of two Deputy Ministers

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) officially discloses the assets of Deputy Minister of Commerce Oranuch Osathanugroh and Deputy Minister of Education Varakorn Samkoset. Mrs. Oranuch has 92 million baht of assets while Mr. Varakorn has 20 million baht of assets.

Both deputy ministers have been appointed in Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s Cabinet on February 5th. Mrs. Oranuch’s husband, Mr. Veera Osathanugroh, has 14 million baht of assets while Mr. Varakorn’s wife, Mrs. Monthira Samkoset, has 28 million baht of assets.

The NCCC says the former Culture Minister during Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin Shinawatra’s Cabinet, Mrs. Uraiwan Thienthong, has 156 million baht of assets, and her husband, Mr. Sanoh Thienthong, has 66 million baht of assets.

The former Information and Communication Technology Minister during the administration of Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin, Mr. Sora-at Klinpratoom, has 115 million baht of assets, and his wife, Mrs. Pornrat Klinpratoom, has eight million baht of assets. Their two children, who have yet to reach the legal age, have 15 million of assets in total.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Former Permanent Secretary for Justice Somchai clarified CTX 9000 case to AEC

Former Permanent Secretary for Justice and former member of the Airports of Thailand (AoT) board Somchai Wongsawat together with his lawyer Somsak Toraksa gave explanation on the procurement of CTX 9000 bomb scanners and the baggage handling system being used in Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) today (Apr 18). AEC member Amnuay Thanthara chaired the hearing. Mr. Somchai meanwhile insists that his information is based on facts.

Former Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is also scheduled to respond to his accusation at the AEC today. However, Mr. Suriya has sent his personal secretary Anucha Nakachai and his lawyer Bunsong Termwat to the AEC, asking for the committee to postpone the hearing because there are many information and evidence to be prepared.

Mr. Suriya claims that the case has an effect on his reputation and he would like to explain it in details. Furthermore, he claims that he is ill and needs sometime to rest before he will clarify the case by himself.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2007

[cclub75]

Former Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is also scheduled to respond to his accusation at the AEC today. However, Mr. Suriya has sent his personal secretary Anucha Nakachai and his lawyer Bunsong Termwat to the AEC, asking for the committee to postpone the hearing because there are many information and evidence to be prepared.

Mr. Suriya claims that the case has an effect on his reputation and he would like to explain it in details. Furthermore, he claims that he is ill and needs sometime to rest before he will clarify the case by himself.

The Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department seems a bit... shy on this issue.

Here are some details on BKK Post.

According to his lawyer Anucha Nakasai, Mr Suriya, who was scheduled to testify at the ASC Wednesday, had health problems concerning blood pressure, causing him to feel dizzy. He rescheduled his meeting with the committee to some time in the next three months.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=118164

We can only hope that his blood pressure will fall down. In 3 months.

[marshbags]

Former Permanent Secretary for Justice Somchai clarified CTX 9000 case to AEC

Former Permanent Secretary for Justice and former member of the Airports of Thailand (AoT) board Somchai Wongsawat together with his lawyer Somsak Toraksa gave explanation on the procurement of CTX 9000 bomb scanners and the baggage handling system being used in Suvarnabhumi Airport to the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) today (Apr 18). AEC member Amnuay Thanthara chaired the hearing. Mr. Somchai meanwhile insists that his information is based on facts.

Former Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is also scheduled to respond to his accusation at the AEC today. However, Mr. Suriya has sent his personal secretary Anucha Nakachai and his lawyer Bunsong Termwat to the AEC, asking for the committee to postpone the hearing because there are many information and evidence to be prepared.

Mr. Suriya claims that the case has an effect on his reputation and he would like to explain it in details. Furthermore, he claims that he is ill and needs sometime to rest before he will clarify the case by himself.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 April 2007

Edited a duplicate posting from by CCclub 75.

I,ve left my additional comments as observed:-

Rescheduled " sometime " within the next 3 months W.T.F

That,s one way of getting a delay / postponement " Thai Style " of course.

Possibly hoping something is going to happen whereby the charges become nil and void due to 3rd party intervention, no doubt.

His beloved master of corruption is still welding interference form distant lands me is beginning to think.

I hope the present administration are not beginning to loose the plot.

They need to assert their authority NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

They can start be MAKING all the state authorities ect. withholding relevant info provide the much needed back up for evidence or jail the BASTARDS

marshbags

Edited April 18, 2007 by marshbags

[John K]

Watch how fast he is cured if they hold his stuff while he gets better.

[marshbags]

B.Post Today 18-04-2007

Quote:-

Thailand to host global corruption school

Bangkok (dpa)

A three-day global congress on transnational financial crimes kicked off on Tuesday in Bangkok, where Interpol hopes to win financial support for the world's first anti-corruption academy, scheduled to open in 2009.

"Nobody will dispute that corruption and financial crimes are closely interrelated," said Ronald Noble, Interpol secretary general, in his opening speech to the 4th Global Financial Crime Congress, co-hosted in Bangkok by Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The congress, which has drawn more than 200 experts from law enforcement agencies, multinational organisations and the private sector, will provide an opportunity to boost international cooperation against financial crimes in the six areas covered by Interpol operations, including terrorism, drug-trafficking, human trafficking, felony investigations, high-tech crimes and corruption.

Unquote.

Please go to the following url for the full article:-

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=118146

I wonder how many PuYai there are, among the observers

Quote:-

"One of the best ways to fight corruption is to follow the money to where it ends up and to recover the assets that have been corruptly removed from a country, a government or a people," said Noble.

May i suggest they start in by following the Thaksin family trail ??????????

marshbags

Edited April 18, 2007 by marshbags

[marshbags]

April 18, 2007 : Last updated 06:04 pm (Thai local time)

The Nation Breaking news.

Quote

Suriya can't attend corruption hearing due to "vertigo".

Former transport minister Suriya Jungrungruengkit Wednesday postponed his meeting with the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) for alleged corruption in the Suvarnabhumi airport's CTX bomb-detection scanners, claiming he was ill.

Suriya's lawyer, Boonsong Termwat said after explaining to the AEC, that Suriya will testify by himself on May 2.

Former MP Anucha Nakasai, who is Suriya's secretary, said Suriya intended to meet the AEC but the former transport minister was "suffering from vertigo".

He said Suriya had asked the AEC to postpone his testimony for three months, however, the AEC allowed only 15 days of postponement.

The Nation

Unquote.

That sounds better

marshbags

Edited April 18, 2007 by marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

Have you ever seen Mr. CTX, Suryia, with his dumb smile, trying hopelessly to answer to questions thrown at him one by one by Abhisit? One of the most laughable performances of the entire Thaksin cabinet accompanied by a whole lot of sweating.

The guy is so dumb he couldn't figure out how to stick a finger up his own arse if you were to ask him.

He's only delaying, hoping something will come up eventually to save him from going to jail.

Slimy lil' shrimp!

Edited April 18, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

"oohhhhhhhh....... my vertigo is acting up....."

Edited April 18, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The ever-amused Former Thaksin Cabinet Minister of Transportation Suriya Jungrungreangkit

Former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Justice and Thaksin brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat (center) along with his ever-so-lovely wife, the Former Thai Rak Thai MP from Chiang Mai and Thaksin sister Yaowapa Wongsawat (right), with Former Thaksin Cabinet Minister of Justice Pongthep Thepkarnchana (left)

Suriya misses corruption probe

Former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday postponed a meeting with the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to discuss his alleged corruption in the purchase of CTX bomb-detection scanners for the new airport, claiming he was ill.

A lawyer for the former minister, Boonsong Termwat, said after explaining to the AEC that Suriya would testify on May 2.

Former MP Anucha Nakasai, who is Suriya's secretary, said Suriya intended to meet the AEC but the former transport minister was "suffering from vertigo".

He said Suriya had asked the AEC to postpone his testimony for three months. However, the AEC allowed only a 15-day delay.

Meanwhile, former permanent secretary for justice Somchai Wongsawat, who is facing similar charges as a former member of Airports of Thailand Plc board of directors, reported to the AEC yesterday.

Somchai, who is a brother-in-law of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said the purchase of the CTX bomb scanners was legal.

- The Nation

[John K]

Clarification: The purchase was legal, the kickbacks are another story.

[Tony Clifton]

How could he suffer from vertigo with his head so much closer to the ground than your average person?

[sriracha john]

he used to get altitude sickness while sitting in his booster chair during Cabinet meetings.