Thaksin's Wife Guilty Of Tax Evasion

[george]

AEC subcommittee: Pojaman is guilty of tax evasion

BANGKOK: -- An Assets Examination Committee (AEC) inquiry has ruled the wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Khunying Pojaman, and her brother Bhanapot Damapong conspired to evade taxes.

AEC subcommittee chairman Sak Korsaengruang Sunday said his panel had resolved the two conspired to evade paying tax on a Shinawatra Computer and Telecommunications share transaction in 1997.

The two denied the allegations.

Sak will Monday submit a recommendation to the AEC that it seek the prosecution of Pojaman and Bhanapot.

-- The Nation 2007-02-11

[Pattayaman]

Maybe she will be moved to an inactive post TIT

[farangsay]

Two comments.

1) So this whole case is STILL in somebody's in-tray at the

AEC. Wow. Maybe the statute of limitations or the term

of the current administration will expire if they hang out

long enough.

2) "Guilty" is normally a term used after due process.

"Innocent until" also comes to mind.

Does The Nation have editors who check articles

and headlines before publication or did they all

buy "journalism degrees" in KSR ?

[billd766]

As far as I understand the process the AEC gives the complaint to a committee (of which there are quite a few) which investigates the complaint put before it calling on witnesses for both sides.

After the investigation it reaches a conclusion that the complaint is justified or not.

If the complaint IS justified then the committee chairman then reports back to the AEC with its reccommendation.

It is then up to the AEC management/steering committe/ whatever to go on to the next stage.

If the complaint is not proved then no further action is taken.

[Briggsy]

I feel we can expect more procrastination. They're v. good at that.

[Scott]

I don't think it is really procastination--I think it's waiting for the money to be transferred into my account before I vote. Even with the those modern ATM machines it seems this can take a long time!

[marshbags]

12:22 Thaksin's wife to face tax graft charges

BREAKING NEWS

Thaksin's wife to face tax graft charges

(BangkokPost.com)

Quote :

The anti-corruption committee appointed by the military coup council to investigate deals under the regime of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has recommended prosecutors charge Mr Thaksin's wife and brother-in-law with criminal tax evasion.

Official government media reported that the Assets Examination Committee forwarded case dossiers this morning, recommending charges against Khunying Pojamarn Shinawatra and her brother Banpot Damapong over their transfer of Shin Corp shares.

Unquote.

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

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=116739

That,s one for starters that is heading for the prosecutors office.

I don,t think they would recommend this action without firm evidence to secure a conviction and they have spent a long time deliberating before doing so.

marshbags

P.S.

As far as procrastination goes, they are purposely taking their time to make sure they are not exposed to the cunning and deceitful counter attacks that this family and their advisors are renowed for, along with minipulation of evidence and any witnesses.

Like many other slow moving corruption investigations in my humble opinion, so be patient and all will be revealed.

It will now be interesting to see what may come out via the secretary and the maid now the **** has hit the fan. now we are

Edited February 12, 2007 by marshbags

[Artisi]

surprise, surprise - but this is Thailand and it's only the first round - don't count your chickens (shares) until they are hatched

[sonthaya]

Why should she be any different from her husband ?

[marshbags]

surprise, surprise - but this is Thailand and it's only the first round - don't count your chickens (shares) until they are hatched

The fact that it,s got this far is a revelation in itself, considering the Puyai element hasn,t kicked in and stopped it.

marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

Why should she be any different from her husband ?

[sriracha john]

The further and striking similarities of these despots are unsettling:

Ferdinand Marcos

Wife: Imelda Marcos (two daughters, one son)

Daughter: Maris Imelda R. Marcos (Imee)

Daughter: Maria Victoria Irene Marcos

Son: Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Thaksin Shinawatra

Wife: Potjaman Shinawatra (two daughters, one son)

Daughter: Pinthongta Shinawatra

Daughter: Praethongtharn Shinawatra

Son: Panthongtae Shinawatra

[johnnyk]

Tax evasion/fraud cases always take time to examine and prosecute, seems to me things are moving at a decent pace.

[britmaveric]

Nought will come of it.

[LaoPo]

The further and striking similarities of these despots are unsettling:

Ferdinand Marcos

Wife: Imelda Marcos (two daughters, one son)

Daughter: Maris Imelda R. Marcos (Imee)

Daughter: Maria Victoria Irene Marcos

Son: Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

Thaksin Shinawatra

Wife: Potjaman Shinawatra (two daughters, one son)

Daughter: Pinthongta Shinawatra

Daughter: Praethongtharn Shinawatra

Son: Panthongtae Shinawatra

There might be some similarities but Thaksin is a little baby in comparison to Marcos....

Judge for yourself:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Marcos

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imelda_Marcos

http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/marcos.html

Comment: (from the above link) Marcos might not be one of the all-time killers but he is certainly one of the biggest thieves in the history of the planet. Estimates of his ill-gotten gains range from US$3 to US$35 billion. Some suggest that the true amount is over US$100 billion, perhaps even trillions of dollars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparency_International :

According to Transparency International, Marcos is the second most corrupt head of government ever, after Suharto.[29] Even so, according to a recent survey, some Filipinos prefer Marcos' rule due to the shape of the country in administrations succeeding his.[30]....

Thaksin didn't make it (yet) to those lists...

Marcos is dead....Thaksin is not -yet-; the story continues

Note:

I find it odd that most of us here on TV pay so much attention to Thaksin (understandable) and Marcos (not...anymore) but there is little to none attention to Thailands neighbour:

Burma/Myanmar:

http://www.moreorless.au.com/killers/win.html (about Ne Win and his successor Than Shwe)

" 2006 - At the end of January, the US magazine 'Parade' names Than Shwe as the third worst dictator in the world. "

Maybe something to think about ?

LaoPo

Edited February 12, 2007 by LaoPo

[sriracha john]

The further and striking similarities of these despots are unsettling:

Ferdinand Marcos

Wife: Imelda Marcos (two daughters, one son)

Thaksin Shinawatra

Wife: Potjaman Shinawatra (two daughters, one son)

There might be some similarities but Thaksin is a little baby in comparison to Marcos....

Comment: (from the above link) Marcos might not be one of the all-time killers but he is certainly one of the biggest thieves in the history of the planet. Estimates of his ill-gotten gains range from US$3 to US$35 billion. Some suggest that the true amount is over US$100 billion, perhaps even trillions of dollars.

According to Transparency International, Marcos is the second most corrupt head of government ever, after Suharto. Even so, according to a recent survey, some Filipinos prefer Marcos' rule due to the shape of the country in administrations succeeding his.....

Thaksin didn't make it (yet) to those lists...

Marcos is dead....Thaksin is not -yet-; the story continues

I guess we'll never know how badly Thaksin would have done if he had been allowed to stick around as long as Marcos did. He only was in power about 1/4 as long as Marcos was. If he would have continued, I'm sure he'd have surpassed him in corrupted dollar total amounts (with 100billion for Marcos probably being the most accurate of those estimates).

As for Marcos not being a great killer, during his years there were 100,000 permanent disappearances (presume them to be killed). Give Thaksin several more drug wars, continued butchering in the Deep South, a small increase in lawyer et al disappearances, and he'd have no doubt reached that tally in the alloted years.

As for some Filipinos preferring Marcos, that's because either they were the few that directly benefited from his doling out pesos or they failed to understand the devastating repercussions to a nation's economy after 20+ years of almost total looting, which extend to this day.

If Thaksin hadn't been throttled down from his position, there's no doubt Thaksin would have taken his rightful place as being among the worst of the worst.

Edited February 12, 2007 by sriracha john

[LaoPo]

The further and striking similarities of these despots are unsettling:

Ferdinand Marcos

Wife: Imelda Marcos (two daughters, one son)

Thaksin Shinawatra

Wife: Potjaman Shinawatra (two daughters, one son)

There might be some similarities but Thaksin is a little baby in comparison to Marcos....

Comment: (from the above link) Marcos might not be one of the all-time killers but he is certainly one of the biggest thieves in the history of the planet. Estimates of his ill-gotten gains range from US$3 to US$35 billion. Some suggest that the true amount is over US$100 billion, perhaps even trillions of dollars.

According to Transparency International, Marcos is the second most corrupt head of government ever, after Suharto. Even so, according to a recent survey, some Filipinos prefer Marcos' rule due to the shape of the country in administrations succeeding his.....

Thaksin didn't make it (yet) to those lists...

Marcos is dead....Thaksin is not -yet-; the story continues

I guess we'll never know how badly Thaksin would have done if he had been allowed to stick around as long as Marcos did. He only was in power about 1/4 as long as Marcos was. If he would have continued, I'm sure he'd have surpassed him in corrupted dollar total amounts (with 100billion for Marcos probably being the most accurate of those estimates).

As for Marcos not being a great killer, during his years there were 100,000 permanent disappearances (presume them to be killed). Give Thaksin several more drug wars, continued butchering in the Deep South, a small increase in lawyer et al disappearances, and he'd have no doubt reached that tally in the alloted years.

As for some Filipinos preferring Marcos, that's because either they were the few that directly benefited from his doling out pesos or they failed to understand the devastating repercussions to a nation's economy after 20+ years of almost total looting, which extend to this day.

If Thaksin hadn't been throttled down from his position, there's no doubt Thaksin would have taken his rightful place as being among the worst of the worst.

I suppose we'll never know, but surpassing Marcos......(100 Billion US$) ? that's quite a job, even surpassing the richest man in the world, Bill Gates ?......

To accomplish that he would have to put-up a Martial law himself (like Marcos did) and 'steal' every single -large- business in Thailand and that is/was impossible. Even in the (pre) Thaksin years there was more democracy in Thailand than in the Marcos' era's.

But of course, the 21 years Marcos was in power were different than the 21st century Thaksin was in charge.

edit:

It would be interesting to learn how rich the dictators next door are by now....

LaoPo

Edited February 12, 2007 by LaoPo

[Old Man River]

As far as I understand the process the AEC gives the complaint to a committee (of which there are quite a few) which investigates the complaint put before it calling on witnesses for both sides.

After the investigation it reaches a conclusion that the complaint is justified or not.

If the complaint IS justified then the committee chairman then reports back to the AEC with its reccommendation.

It is then up to the AEC management/steering committe/ whatever to go on to the next stage.

If the complaint is not proved then no further action is taken.

That is the process. I would add that when the investigation shows that a complaint is justified, if a government employee is involved they will be fired and their pensions canceled right away. This happened just last month. The trial has not even started.

[John K]

Khunying Pojaman and her brother could face 14 years in jail

Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of ousted premier Thaksin, and her brother Bhanapot Damapong may face the jail term of 14 years each for tax evasion, a prosecution spokesman said Wednesday following the decision to commence trial.

"The prosecution will seek maximum punishment for Pojaman and Bhanapot for alleged criminal and tax violations," Attapol Yaisawang said.

The prosecution team, led by chief prosecutor Somsak Boonthong, agreed with indictments as per the recommendations from the Asset Examination Committee (AEC) before issuing the prosecution order, Attapol said.

The next step in the litigation proceedings is for the AEC to summon the defendants to report to prosecutors within 10 days in order to spell out the charges, he said.

The defendants include Bhanapot, Pojaman and her personal secretary Kanchanapa Honghern, he said.

Kanchanapa is to be charged for involving in the tax offences and will not be tried for criminal charges laid out against the other two defendants, he said.

At the heart of the prosecution is the conspiracy to file false income tax return documents relating to a PojamanBhanapot stock transaction in 2000. The defendants unlawfully claimed tax exemption, the prosecution spokesman said.

Prosecutors will treat the case as a criminal conspiracy which cannot be settled out of court even if the defendants later decided to meet their tax obligations, he said.

Based on the AEC report, the defendants are liable for Bt500 million in unpaid tax, he said.

If convicted, they have to meet their tax liabilities and pay a fine of up to Bt400,000 on top of serving in jail, he said.

[John K]

BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai prosecutors said Wednesday they would charge the wife of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra with tax evasion.

Prosecutors said they would also file criminal charges against Pojaman Shinawatra's step-brother and her personal secretary also over alleged tax evasion.

"The attorney general office decides to sue the three as evidence is clear that they intentionally avoided paying taxes," said attorney general office spokesman Athapol Yaisawang.

The decision is in line with a recommendation last month by an anti-graft panel to charge Pojaman, Banpot Damapong and Kanchanapa Honghern.

The panel was set up by Thailand's junta, which overthrew Thaksin's twice-elected government in a September coup and vowed to clean up alleged graft in his government.

Thaksin, 57, was in New York during the September putsch and has remained in exile since, hopping between Europe and Asia.

Pojaman and her step-brother were in Bangkok and ready to defend themselves against criminal charges, said Noppadon Pattama, one of Thaksin's legal advisors.

"They are ready to defend themselves in the case and have already prepared a team of lawyers for that," said Noppadon.

The tax evasion charges stem from a 1997 deal in which Pojaman and her step-brother sold shares in the family's Shinawatra Computer and Communication, which later became Thailand's telecom giant Shin Corp.

The case is the first in a raft of investigations into Thaksin's family to reach completion, and is likely to provide a boost to the junta, which has come under criticism over the slow pace of graft probes.

If convicted, the three could face up to seven years in prison, or fines of up to 200,000 baht (5,700 dollars) or both, the official said.

A subcommittee investigating the alleged tax evasion deal had earlier recommended that Banpot pay 546 million baht (15.6 million dollars) in restitution for unpaid tax over the sale of 4.5 million Shin Corp shares.

Banpot has already paid the fine, but also filed an appeal with a higher court.

Still under investigation are larger claims of wrongdoing by Thaksin and his family, who sold their 49-percent stake in Shin Corp. to Singapore's state-linked investment firm Temasek Holdings for 1.9 billion dollars.

The tax-free sale in January 2006 sparked months of street protests against Thaksin and political turmoil, which eventually led to the military takeover.

[Jai Dee]

Pojaman, Bhanapot face major tax trial

Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, the wife of ousted premier Thaksin, and her brother Bhanapot Dama-pong could face jail terms of up to 14 years each for tax evasion, a spokesman for public prosecutors said yesterday after a decision to try the pair in court.

"The prosecution will seek maximum punishment for Pojaman and Bhanapot for alleged criminal and tax violations," Attapol Yaisawang said.

The prosecution team, led by chief prosecutor Somsak Boon-thong, agreed to indict the pair, as recommended by the Assets Exam-ination Com-mittee (AEC) and had issued an order to prosecute them, Attapol said. The next step was for the AEC to summon the defendants to report to prosecutors within 10 days in order to spell out the charges, he said.

The defendants included Bha-napot, Pojaman and her private secretary Kanchanapa Honghern, he said.

Kanchanapa would be charged for being involved in the tax offences but not tried on criminal charges laid against the other two, he said.

At the heart of the prosecution was "a conspiracy" to file false income tax returns in relation to a stock transaction by Pojaman and Bhanapot in 2000.

The defendants unlawfully claimed tax exemption, the prosecution spokesman said.

Prosecutors would treat the case as a criminal conspiracy, and the matter could not be settled out of court even if the defendants later decided to meet their tax obligations, he said.

Based on the AEC report, the defendants were liable for Bt500 million in unpaid tax, he said.

If convicted, they would have to meet their tax liabilities and pay a fine of up to Bt400,000 on top of any time served in jail, he said.

Before public prosecutors reached their decision to pursue the case, Pojaman lodged a petition arguing that the AEC had no mandate to investigate her as she was not an office holder and that the AEC failed to take testimony from five tax officials involved in the stock deal.

The prosecution team ruled to drop the petition on grounds that the junta's announcements authorised the AEC to investigate the spouse of an office holder.

It also found the AEC had already reviewed statements by the five tax officials, as demanded by Pojaman.

Reacting to the prosecutors' decision, AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem said he would convene a committee meeting to map out the procedures to summon the defendants to report to prosecutors.

The AEC might first issue a summons, before moving to ask the police to execute a warrant of arrest if the three defendants refused to voluntarily report themselves, Nam said.

Sak Korsangruang, the AEC's spokesman, said the ten days' period would start from yesterday and that the defendants are required to give themselves up to the AEC or the public prosecutors within that period, or they would face arrest by the police.

"If they fail to come forward under the summons warrant, it is likely that arrest warrants will be issued," he said.

Thaksin's chief lawyer Noppadon Patama said he viewed the litigation as an act of political expediency.

"The prosecution has been anticipated and the defence team is ready to fight every step of the way through the Criminal Court, the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court," he said.

Noppadon voiced confidence that the defendants could clear their name.

"If, at the end, the courts rules for us to pay tax, we will pay without any problem because we are innocent and have no intention to evade tax," he said.

He said the Shinawatra family had already lodged Bt546 million with the Revenue Department as a guarantee to meet tax obligations pending the outcome of the judicial review.

Source: The Nation - 15 March 2007

[TAWP]

This will be interesting...

[slimdog]

Nice accurate reporting from our wonderful newspapers...

Share Transfer definitely took place in 1997 or maybe 2000

Maximum jail time is definitely 7 years or maybe 14 years

Maximum fine is definitely 200,000 baht or maybe 400,000

[John K]

I can’t help but wonder if they will employ their delaying tactics here. “Oh I have an appointment can we do this next month?”

I also can imagine some of the content of the phone conversations between her and Thaksin;

Thaksin: Hello

Pojaman: Hello you Idiot.

Thaksin: Who is this?

Pojaman: You wife you idiot.

Thaksin: Oh hi how are you today Tirak.

Pojaman: I have been indited and they want me to show up in 10 days or less.

Thaksin: No problem I will fix everything.

Pojaman: Oh so your not going to do a ###### thing.

Thaksin: No dear that not what I said.

Pojaman: What do you think I should do.

Thaksin : What does Noppadon say?

Pojaman: Whatever you tell him to say.

Thaksin: Can you get any more money to me?

Pojaman: What are you talking about, are you more interested in money than me?

Thaksin: <long pause>

Pojaman: HEY!!!!

Thaksin: Sorry tirak I was distracted for a moment. What were we talking about?

Pojaman; I need to go to court soon!

Thaksin: Is there anyone you can buy?

Pojaman: I don’t know, the list of people you did not piss off is getting a bit short.

Thaksin: I t is a bit hard for me to do things from here. The IISS blew me off, and I can’t seem to get a good website going.

Pojaman: What does that have to do with me?!!

Thaksin: Oh a lot dear.

Pojaman: Do you have any more bombs?

Thaksin: What kind of bombs tirak?

Pojaman: You know exactly what kind of bombs.

Thaksin: How are the kids?

Pojaman: The same... they smile a lot.

Thaksin: I will see if I can get in the news again, have you seen my little X sign?

Pojaman: Why do you want that?

Thaksin: Some of the questions they ask are a bit difficult.

Pojaman: Like what?

Thaksin: Like the ones about corruption, tax evasion, sinking airports and that kind of stuff.

Pojaman: So are you planning on coming back to be at my side in court?

Thaksin: I don’t know dear it is very dangerous for me there.

Pojaman: So what will you do?

Thaksin: I found this nice restaurant in London, and I am growing fond of Bangers and Mash.

Pojaman: Can Kuhn Tony help?

Thaksin: I don’t know he has been avoiding me.

Pojaman: I have been seeing if the TRT can help but there are not many people left.

Thaksin: I don’t know what to say tirak, just do your best. Remember I will be over here.

Pojaman: What does that mean.

Thaksin: I will be working hard here.

Pojaman: <slams phone down>

[Tony Clifton]

:D

Thaksin : What does Noppadon say?

Pojaman: Whatever you tell him to say.

Thaksin: Can you get any more money to me?

:D

Edited March 15, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[Jai Dee]

AEC to report progress of its investigations today

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will report the progress of investigations into alleged corruption cases during its meeting with the Council for National Security (CNS) today (March, 15th).

AEC Chirman Nam Yimyam (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม) reveals that apart from the progress of the investigations, the meeting will consider the share transfer of the Shinawatra Computer Company which is alleged of avoiding tax. The case involves Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra (พจมาน ชินวัตร), Bannapot Damaphong (บรรณพจน์ ดามาพงศ์), and Kanchanapha Honghern (กาญจนาภา หงษ์เหิน). All of them were earlier indicted by the Attorney General.

Members of the AEC who are scheduled to attend the meeting include Nam Yimyam, Sak Korsangruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง), Kaewsan Atipothi (แก้วสรร อติโพธิ), Wiroj Laohaphan (วิโรจน์ เลาหพันธ์), Amnuey Thanthara (อำนวย ทันธารา), Saowanee Assawaroj (เสาวนีย์ อัศวโรจน์), Udom Feung-fung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), Khunying Jaruwan Mainthaka (จารุวรรณ เมณฑะกา), and Klanarong Chantik (กล้านรงค์ จันทิก).

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

[Donnyboy]

I can’t help but wonder if they will employ their delaying tactics here. “Oh I have an appointment can we do this next month?”

I also can imagine some of the content of the phone conversations between her and Thaksin;

Thaksin: Hello

Pojaman: Hello you Idiot.

Thaksin: Who is this?

Pojaman: You wife you idiot.

Thaksin: Oh hi how are you today Tirak.

Pojaman: I have been indited and they want me to show up in 10 days or less.

Thaksin: No problem I will fix everything.

Pojaman: Oh so your not going to do a ###### thing.

Thaksin: No dear that not what I said.

Pojaman: What do you think I should do.

Thaksin : What does Noppadon say?

Pojaman: Whatever you tell him to say.

Thaksin: Can you get any more money to me?

Pojaman: What are you talking about, are you more interested in money than me?

Thaksin: <long pause>

Pojaman: HEY!!!!

Thaksin: Sorry tirak I was distracted for a moment. What were we talking about?

Pojaman; I need to go to court soon!

Thaksin: Is there anyone you can buy?

Pojaman: I don’t know, the list of people you did not piss off is getting a bit short.

Thaksin: I t is a bit hard for me to do things from here. The IISS blew me off, and I can’t seem to get a good website going.

Pojaman: What does that have to do with me?!!

Thaksin: Oh a lot dear.

Pojaman: Do you have any more bombs?

Thaksin: What kind of bombs tirak?

Pojaman: You know exactly what kind of bombs.

Thaksin: How are the kids?

Pojaman: The same... they smile a lot.

Thaksin: I will see if I can get in the news again, have you seen my little X sign?

Pojaman: Why do you want that?

Thaksin: Some of the questions they ask are a bit difficult.

Pojaman: Like what?

Thaksin: Like the ones about corruption, tax evasion, sinking airports and that kind of stuff.

Pojaman: So are you planning on coming back to be at my side in court?

Thaksin: I don’t know dear it is very dangerous for me there.

Pojaman: So what will you do?

Thaksin: I found this nice restaurant in London, and I am growing fond of Bangers and Mash.

Pojaman: Can Kuhn Tony help?

Thaksin: I don’t know he has been avoiding me.

Pojaman: I have been seeing if the TRT can help but there are not many people left.

Thaksin: I don’t know what to say tirak, just do your best. Remember I will be over here.

Pojaman: What does that mean.

Thaksin: I will be working hard here.

Pojaman: <slams phone down>

:D Priceless

[ratcatcher]

The above 'conversation is the sort of great humour The Bangkok Post or The Nation should be printing. Where are John Cleese & Michael Palin when you need 'em

Marvellous stuff.

[JacknDanny]

Where are John Cleese & Michael Palin when you need 'em

They are in fact regular contributors to Thai Visa.....normally going by the names of ColPyat and younghusband, but sshhh dont let anybody else know

[marshbags]

Where are John Cleese & Michael Palin when you need 'em

They are in fact regular contributors to Thai Visa.....normally going by the names of ColPyat and younghusband, but sshhh dont let anybody else know

Eh up sithee as a Yorkshireman, Michael would be really Monty Pythoned at the thought.

Tha,s got a reight sense of uma mind, JnD.

marshbags