Thaksin's Wife Guilty Of Tax Evasion

[Jai Dee]

Wife of ousted Thai leader charged with tax evasion

Wife of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, her step-brother and personal secretary to the Shinawatra family have reported to court to face charges of evading 546 million baht (US$ 16.6 million) in back taxes involved in the 1997 transfer of shares in the family telecommunications empire later known as Shin Corp.

The tax-evasion charges against Pojaman Shinawatra, Bannaphot Damaphong, her step-brother, and Kanchanapha Honghern, personal sercretary to the Shinawatra family, had been read out before they were released on a 15-million-baht (US$458,000) bail.

Their first trial round in court is scheduled for May 14.

The first of a dozen Thaksin-related corruption cases, the outcome of the ruling will affect not only the Shinawatra family, but numerous business and political associates of the outsted premier in this and

more than a dozen outstanding corruption cases.

Noppadol Pattama, lawyer for the Shinawatra family, said Khunying Pojaman and the others had resolved to fight the cases even if it reaches the Supreme Court, following the allegations that they had deliberately violated Tax and Criminal Code regulations pertaining to their sales of Shinawatra Computers and Communications stocks a decade ago.

The Office of Attorney General had forwarded the cases to the Criminal Court after the military-appointed Asset Examinations Committee had investigated the share transfers and charged that the trio had deliberately evaded income tax valued 546 million baht.

Mr. Noppadol said the ex-prime minister's wife and others who were charged with her need not worry too much about the charges, because a lawyer well versed with tax businesses is prepared to represent them.

Yinglak Shinawatra, sister of the former prime minister, Padung Limcharoenrat, close aide to the ex-prime minister, and Pongthep Thepkanchana, a former justice minister, had joined dozens of sympathisers at the Criminal Court where about 100 policemen had stood on guard.

No untoward incidents have been reported.

Source: TNA - 26 March 2007

[Jai Dee]

Key Thai tax case could decide ousted Thaksin fate

Prosecutors charged the wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and her brother on Monday with tax evasion in a case which could finish off the charismatic billionaire politically.

A verdict of not guilty against Potjaman Shinawatra, her brother and her secretary would undermine seriously the military leaders who staged a bloodless September coup accusing him of presiding over rampant corruption.

"If they are found guilty, even by the first-level court, the public will believe this family conspired to evade tax and this political harpoon will end Thaksin's political career," political commentator Sukhum Nualskul told Reuters.

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

The three, later released on bail, were charged in court and the trial of the first of more than a dozen investigations of alleged wrongdoing during Thaksin's five years in power to reach court would start on May 14, Potjaman's lawyer said.

Arriving at Bangkok's Criminal Court in a dark blue luxury car, Potjaman had to pass through a mass of journalists as 100 policemen stood by.

She, her brother and the secretary could face up to 14 years in jail over a transfer of shares in what is now Shin Corp, the firm Thaksin founded, in the first case brought by investigators appointed by coup leaders six months ago.

They face jail terms of between three months and seven years and fines of between 2,000 baht (31 pounds) and 200,000 baht, but Potjaman and her brother face two counts of the same crime, so the penalty would be doubled, prosecutors said.

Complaints about the slowness of the investigation into allegations of corruption under Thaksin have dogged the government installed by the military and contributed to its sharp decline in popularity as measured by opinion polls.

MORE TO COME?

In November, graft investigators ordered the Revenue Department to tax her brother Bannapot almost $15 million (7.6 million pounds) on 4.5 million shares he bought from a Shinawatra maid with money given to him by Potjaman in 1997.

The investigators ruled the deal, decreed tax-free at the time as a gift on a special occasion, was a handout by Potjaman to her brother, who was then chairman of what is now Shin Corp, and must be taxed.

Now the same transaction is subject to criminal charges and may not be the last.

Thaksin's family sold its controlling stake in Shin Corp, the telecommunications giant he founded as a computer supplier, to Singapore state investment firm Temasek for $1.9 billion in January 2006.

The deal, which cost Temasek $3.8 billion in all, was deemed tax-free at the time because it was done through the stock market, where no tax is charged on share transactions.

But the graft panel, which is authorised to freeze assets, is investigating whether complex share transactions leading to the final deal may have been illegal.

The panel has also accused Potjaman of underpaying for a prime piece of Bangkok real estate bought from the central bank.

It concluded that Thaksin and his wife had broken laws barring spouses of cabinet ministers from business deals with state agencies and they face up to 10 years in jail and confiscation of the land if found guilty.

But any trial on the land deal is still months away. The panel says it wants to hear Thaksin's side of the story before sending its findings to prosecutors.

Thaksin is in exile and the government says he cannot return until after elections, promised for late this year, unless summoned by the courts to give evidence.

Source: Reuters - 26 March 2007

[jumnien]

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

Gee, how much you want to bet that the junta court finds them guilty? Why even bother?

[Jai Dee]

Police escorted Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of deposed prime minister, and her brother, Banapot Damapong, (on right), from Criminal Court on Monday. They were freed on bail after being charged of tax evasion.

Source: The Nation - 26 March 2007

[John K]

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

Gee, how much you want to bet that the junta court finds them guilty? Why even bother?

All through this it was stressed by everyone that the courts remain free of influence of politicians. That is one of the key elements of democracy and it is in the Junta’s interest to keep it that way. If they are found not guilty it may just be some technicality and a very smart defense lawyer. If they are found guilty then the reasons will be clearly outlined.

[Tony Clifton]

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

Gee, how much you want to bet that the junta court finds them guilty? Why even bother?

All through this it was stressed by everyone that the courts remain free of influence of politicians. That is one of the key elements of democracy and it is in the Junta’s interest to keep it that way. If they are found not guilty it may just be some technicality and a very smart defense lawyer. If they are found guilty then the reasons will be clearly outlined.

With all the cases against the Thaksins, the over-sized sleeve lawyer must feel like Wile E. Coyote did when something would drop from the sky and the shadow on the ground would grow bigger and bigger around him. Technicalities would be reminescent of the small purple umbrella the coyote used to hold over his head to shield himself from the hurling boulder or grand piano coming down.

[hammered]

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

Gee, how much you want to bet that the junta court finds them guilty? Why even bother?

All through this it was stressed by everyone that the courts remain free of influence of politicians. That is one of the key elements of democracy and it is in the Junta’s interest to keep it that way. If they are found not guilty it may just be some technicality and a very smart defense lawyer. If they are found guilty then the reasons will be clearly outlined.

At least they get a trial.

[Plus]

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

Gee, how much you want to bet that the junta court finds them guilty? Why even bother?

To imply that before the coup courts were independent bastions of fairness and justice is disinigenious. However, if you reapeat it five times in five threads, you might start believing it yourself.

I presume that you know of Thaksin's asset concealement trial back in 2001. If the verdict was delivered according to the law, Thaksin would have been banned for five years and Thailand would have been a different country now.

After that trial one judge admitted that it didn't matter if Thaksin was guilty or not, he was not going to rule against him as he was elected by 12 million people. Another got sweet foreign ambassador post for his son assured by the first lady. Another, Thaksin's own man, was promoted to the Court in the last minute and joined the trial for only two sessions.

[sriracha john]

Potjaman Shinawatra, the wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, leaves the criminal court in Bangkok March 26, 2007. Prosecutors charged the wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and her brother on Monday with tax evasion in a case which could finish off the charismatic billionaire politically.

REUTERS

Edited March 26, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Pojaman wore a yellow suit to the criminal court -- a color signifying respect for the nation's king -- but said nothing as she entered or left the building.

- AFP

=================

Edited March 26, 2007 by sriracha john

[Chang_paarp]

This even rated a mention on Triple J the youth radio network in Oz.

It was not that much of a slow news day.

[samtam]

<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=news/2007/03/26wthaksin126.xml" target="_blank">

Thaksin's Wife Charged with tax evasion</a>

Even in the UK's Telegraph:

Is this an exercise in semantics, or does this really finally mean business?

Edited March 26, 2007 by samtam

[Siripon]

"But if they are ruled not guilty, the legitimacy of the coup leaders and their graft investigators will be in jeopardy."

Gee, how much you want to bet that the junta court finds them guilty? Why even bother?

Could you explain why Thaksin and Pojaman put millions of baht in the names of their gardener, maid and driver a few years back?

And why did Pojaman use her maid, Duangtar's account , to give a birthday gift of several millions to her step brother Bannapot? (The next case up).

[sriracha john]

For the new people to clarify the above post.

The pro-Thaksin people will be hired to be there with roses perhaps and weeping.

Pojaman charged in court

First legal strike against Shinawatras sees wife of deposed PM, her brother and secretary charged with tax evasion

The wife of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was yesterday charged with evading more than half a billion baht in tax, in the first significant legal strike against the family since Thaksin was ousted in the September 19 coup.

Khunying Pojaman appeared at the Bangkok Criminal Court with brother Bhanapot Damapong and personal secretary Kanchanapa Honghern. They were surrounded by tight security.

Reporters and photographers were on hand as were about 20 supporters with red roses and banners reading, "We are with you".

*unless, of course, you are sent to prison for 14 years...in which case, you're obviously on your own.*

If convicted, Pojaman and Bhanapot face up to of 14 years in prison and Bt400,000 in fines. They will also have to pay outstanding tax, estimated by the Assets Examination Committee at Bt500 million.

Kanchanapa, if found guilty, faces a maximum of seven years in jail and a Bt200,000 fine. Prosecutors will say she did not play a direct role in the alleged evasion.

The three suspects were released after posting Bt5 million bail each. They appeared at 9.30am to hear the charges.

May 14 has been set as the first trial day, according to Pojaman's lawyer Noppadon Pattama.

The charges date back to 1997 when the Shinawatra clan allegedly circulated a huge volume of stock in the family company among themselves without paying tax.

The prosecution is the first against people close to the former prime minister who has himself been accused of widespread corruption.

Coup leaders cited Thaksin's alleged corruption as justification for his ouster and have faced strong criticism for being slow to prove their allegations, many of which remain under investigation.

Yesterday's indictment was also the first against a spouse of a prime minister for criminal and tax offences. Prosecutors said earlier they would treat the case as a criminal conspiracy, and the matter could not be settled out of court if the defendants decided to meet their tax obligations.

In the past, coup leaders have often used their power to seize the assets of ousted leaders and family members.

Noppadon - who also represents Thaksin - told reporters the court prohibited the defendants from discussing the case publicly or "giving interviews or doing anything that could affect or obstruct the trial". The court added the trial was in the public interest, he said.

Violating this prohibition can result in bail being revoked, he added.

Wearing a yellow-silk dress Pojaman maintained her composure as she was escorted through an army of reporters and cameramen.

As many as 100 police provided a shield for Pojaman as she walked from her car to the court.

She smiled at supporters but was unable to receive their flowers. Noppadon said afterwards Pojaman said she was sorry she could not thank them in person.

Acting Thai Rak Thai Party deputy leader Pongthep Thepkanchana, brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat, close aide Phadung Limcharoenrat and public figure Darunee Kritboonyalai were among the group. Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang remained at party headquarters.

Thaksin has been in exile since the coup. He released a video for his family, saying "in such time of trouble, nothing matches the moral support among father, mother and children."

* "but then again, nothing matches the amount of freedom and partying one can do in London without a nagging wife and spoiled brats... but still, it's a shame you are going through such turmoil alone... and I wish you all the best of luck." *

Public prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon yesterday filed the 12-page charge in court. It alleges the three defendants evaded tax and intentionally gave false information to evade tax.

The Nation

Edited March 26, 2007 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

Pojaman wore a yellow suit to the criminal court -- a color signifying respect for the nation's king -- but said nothing as she entered or left the building.

- AFP

=================

The chameleon changes colors to match it's environment.

[sriracha john]

Pojaman wore a yellow suit to the criminal court -- a color signifying respect for the nation's king -- but said nothing as she entered or left the building.

- AFP

=================

The chameleon changes colors to match it's environment.

Additionally and coincidentally, chameleons also say nothing.

Edited March 26, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Landmark case sets a precedent

A successful trial against Thaksin's wife and her brother on tax charges could lead to reduced corruption

The landmark lawsuit filed by the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) against Pojaman Shinawatra, the wife of Thaksin Shinawatra, Banaphot Damapong, her brother, and Kanchanapa Honghern, her secretary, on charges of tax evasion in connection with huge share transactions in 1997, is the first criminal case against the deposed prime minister's family. The case was accepted by the Criminal Court following a preliminary hearing yesterday morning.

The three defendants pled not guilty to the charges that they had conspired to fraudulently avoid paying hundreds of millions of baht in taxes. The Criminal Court granted them temporary release on bail at Bt5 million each after their arraignment. The trial date was scheduled for May 14.

The OAG has built the case around findings of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), which had earlier investigated the tax-evasion charges against the trio and came to the conclusion that they had violated the Tax and Criminal Codes by evading tax obligations linked to the sale of their Shinawatra Computers and Communications shares that had taken place about a decade ago.

The AEC was created by the coup-makers who overthrew the Thaksin government on September 19, 2006. The military junta, now known as the Council for National Security, cited major corruption scandals that had taken place under Thaksin, among other charges, as justification for the power seizure.

The investigation panel concluded in February that Pojaman and Banaphot owed the Revenue Department back taxes and fines amounting to Bt546 million on the transfer of 4.5 million shares of Shinawatra Computer and Communications Plc, which would otherwise be taxable. But the transactions were structured in a way that enabled Pojaman to transfer those shares to a proxy who then sold them on the Stock Exchange of Thailand's trading system so that Banaphot could buy up those shares at the market price with cash provided by Pojaman herself.

In that sense, no actual trading of such shares had taken place and Banaphot managed to avoid payment of capital gains tax that he would otherwise have had to pay. Shares bought and sold on the stock market are subject to brokerage fees plus VAT, but not capital gains tax.

In 2001, responding to Revenue Department tax inspectors' questions, Pojaman and Banaphot lied when they told them the 1997 share transactions were Pojaman's way of giving the 4.5 million shares of Shinawatra Computer and Communications Plc as a gift to Banaphot when in reality they were given as payment for Banaphot's service to the telecommunication businesses of Thaksin's family. According to the AEC findings and a lawsuit filed by OAG, such lies constituted a fraudulent act that again enabled Banaphot to avoid paying personal income tax from the shares he received from Pojaman.

If found guilty by the Criminal Court, Pojaman and Banaphot each face a maximum penalty of 14-years imprisonment and a fine of up to Bt400,000 for two counts of tax evasion, said Attapol Yaisawang, spokesman for the Attorney General's Office. Kanchanapa, who participated in the bogus transfer of shares through the stock market, would face up to seven years in prison and a Bt200,000 fine.

The case is not directly related to the Bt73 billion sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings by the Shinawatra and Damapong families, which galvanised anti-Thaksin sentiment among the urban middle class, culminating in the September 2006 military takeover. But it illustrates the pattern of self-serving behaviour by Thaksin and members of his inner circle while in power.

During this high-profile criminal case against Pojaman, Banaphot and Kanchanapa, the Thai public will learn in greater detail how Thaksin's wife and brother-in-law flagrantly violated the laws of the land and how some government officials may have colluded in the wrongdoing or may have been intimidated to let them off the hook.

The AEC deserves credit for its thorough investigation that has led to the lawsuit being successfully filed against Thaksin's wife and her brother. Let's hope that lawsuits against Thaksin himself may not be far behind. The AEC is right to have taken a slow but sure approach to come up with such a strong case. For the alleged worst corruption that Thailand has ever seen, justice must be seen to be done.

- The Nation Editorial

[John K]

She smiled at supporters but was unable to receive their flowers. Noppadon said afterwards Pojaman said she was sorry she could not thank pay them in person.

[marshbags]

Yesterday's indictment was also the first against a spouse of a prime minister for criminal and tax offences. Prosecutors said earlier they would treat the case as a criminal conspiracy, and the matter could not be settled out of court if the defendants decided to meet their tax obligations.

Another first

Quote:-

Noppadon - who also represents Thaksin - told reporters the court prohibited the defendants from discussing the case publicly or "giving interviews or doing anything that could affect or obstruct the trial". The court added the trial was in the public interest, he said.

Violating this prohibition can result in bail being revoked, he added.

Unquote.

Perhaps, just perhaps, He,s now at long last seeing the reality of the situation and of what is to come ????????

To get him to button his mouth is a truly " Amazing in Thailand " taking the ingrained culture for the "Puyai / Untouchables of the past into account.

Things seem to be looking uppppppppppppp, just by getting them to court and INDICTED for starters.

marshbags while :)ing

Edited March 27, 2007 by marshbags

[ratcatcher]

She smiled at supporters but was unable to receive their flowers. Noppadon said afterwards Pojaman said she was sorry she could not thank pay them in person.

Being rich is one thing, being greedy is another.

Oh,how the mighty have fallen.

Time to pay the piper?

[hammered]

Yesterday's indictment was also the first against a spouse of a prime minister for criminal and tax offences. Prosecutors said earlier they would treat the case as a criminal conspiracy, and the matter could not be settled out of court if the defendants decided to meet their tax obligations.

Another first

Quote:-

Noppadon - who also represents Thaksin - told reporters the court prohibited the defendants from discussing the case publicly or "giving interviews or doing anything that could affect or obstruct the trial". The court added the trial was in the public interest, he said.

Violating this prohibition can result in bail being revoked, he added.

Unquote.

Perhaps, just perhaps, He,s now at long last seeing the reality of the situation and of what is to come ????????

To get him to button his mouth is a truly " Amazing in Thailand " taking the ingrained culture for the "Puyai / Untouchables of the past into account.

Things seem to be looking uppppppppppppp, just by getting them to court and INDICTED for starters.

marshbags while :)ing

The prosecutors have had to go back a long way to find a case where it seems they easily have the preponderance of evidence on the side of the prosecution. This may well be the strongest case. One guilty verdict even if appealed from the lower court will cause untold damage to the Shinawatra political machine. It is also amazing that a family as powerful as the Damaphongsa's look like they could be facing conviction. No doubt as money heads for the PTV TRT front we will see more pro-TRT demonstrations with the organisers hoping for violence to distract and discredit the Junta. These demos occuring just at the time of the charges being made is not a coincidence. It will also make it difficult for the genuine albeit small pro-democracy groups who favor neither the Junta or the TRT to find a position that keeps them seperate from the TRT front organizations.

[sriracha john]

Tax trial could drag on for up to three years

Ex-PM also on trial by proxy, on whether he was morally fit to hold public office

The first graft case against the family of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra has reached the judicial review stage, with both the prosecution and the defence equally optimistic about winning a favourable verdict.

The case involves a complex web of tax and criminal issues and is expected to go through three tiers of courts. By the time the Supreme Court reaches a verdict in the next three years or so, public sentiment may have moved on to a new issue of the day.

Regardless of what the future holds for Thaksin and his family, the court battle is not about alleged corruption involving him or his government. If the prosecution can manage to win a conviction, the case will be a reminder of how unfit he was to enter public service.

Although public prosecutors have named Thaksin's wife, Khunying Pojaman, her brother Bhanapot Damapong, and her private secretary Kanchanapa Honghern as defendants, the ousted premier is also on trial by proxy.

Thaksin's decision to enter politics triggered a cascade of events that later proved to be his undoing. As a public office holder, he was forced to hurriedly offload his wealth, estimated at Bt20 billion.

His opponents cried foul on his wealth in 2000. Even though he won a favourable verdict in an assets concealment case in 2001, prosecution evidence became the basis for subsequent tax audits.

Doubts remained about his ethical standards and suitability for public office, as critics kept revealing his questionable movements of money, designed to avoid tax obligations.

As a telecom tycoon, Thaksin would probably have got away with manipulating and minimising his tax payments. But he faced a raised bar on what the public expected of him as a politician and leader.

One highly publicised case is the 1997 share transaction involving Pojaman and Bhanapot. It has haunted Thaksin and his family for years, and it now forms the core of the prosecution's case. Following the coup, the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) focused on the Pojaman-Bhanapot share transaction as a lesson to expose Thaksin's flawed leadership.

In the writ, filed at the Criminal Court on Monday, prosecutors contend that Pojaman, Bhanapot and Kanchanapa, conspired to evade income tax and also committed perjury to avoid tax obligations.

Pojaman and Bhanapot each stand accused of two counts of criminal and tax violations relating to their 1997 share deals. The two counts comprise one for conspiracy on tax evasion and one for the conspiracy on perjury. Kanchanapa faces one count of conspiracy in the alleged tax dodge.

According to the prosecution's writ, Pojaman issued an instruction on November 7, 1997 for her stockbroker to sell 4.5 million Shin Corp shares worth Bt738 million to Bhanapot. The company was then known as Shinawatra Computer and Communications.

Pojaman's shares were held by her maid, Duangta Wongpakdee, who acted as nominee. Kanchanapa organised the transaction on Pojaman's behalf.

Pojaman issued a cheque dated November 12 to pay for the shares on Bhanapot's behalf. And her stockbroker paid out Bt734 million on the same day to Duangta for the cost of shares minus brokerage fees and value added tax. Duangta's sales earnings were later deposited in Pojaman's bank account.

Prosecutors contend that the transaction was staged on the stock market in order to help Bhanapot dodge his income tax obligations that should have amounted to Bt273 million.

In 1997 Bhanapot filed an income tax return for Bt8.1 million after claiming exemption for his shares transaction done on the stock market.

In regard to the charges of perjury, Pojaman and Bhanapot testified in the 2001 tax audit that they were entitled to tax exemption because the shares were given by Pojaman to her brother as a family gift.

Pojaman claimed that she designated her shares as a gift for Bhanapot's first-born son and that she wanted to raise the social standing of her brother's family to match her own.

Prosecutors contend that the transaction was not a gift but an outright payment for Bhanapot's services rendered to the Shinawatra family.

They say the alleged perjury during the tax audit caused damage to the state amounting to Bt546 million computed from unpaid tax plus a Bt272 million fine.

The court has set a May 14 date for a hearing on admissible evidence before commencing trial.

The three defendants were released after posting Bt5 million bail each. As a condition for bail, they are obliged not to comment publicly on the case.

The gag order might have little bearing on the upcoming courtroom drama and the defence remains a step ahead after putting up a guarantee for liable tax at the Revenue Department. The guarantee is designed to show a lack of intent to dodge tax payments.

The defence plans to play up the role of an innocent, tax-abiding citizen being victimised via conflicting interpretations of the tax code, while the prosecution has the burden of proving motive and intent by demonstrating that the three defendants are not so naive in regard to tax matters.

- The Nation

[Tony Clifton]

Unfit.

[John K]

So how is all this flying with the locals in Isaan?

[marshbags]

So how is all this flying with the locals in Isaan?

A Reality observation and NOT a cynical one.... nor i hope OFF topic as i,m responding to the debate.

Immediately after the " non violent " coup many in my Moo Ban were in shock initially and confused.

They then displayed, as before, their undying support for their hero Thaksin and all the local TRT officials and strangely a disbelief regarding the Shin situation and a refusal to condemn .

Now all the taxation or lack of taxation is really starting to hurt all the working locals and it is pissing them right off, no mistake.

As time went by they began to go very quiet and stopped talking about the injustice they had previously felt for them.

When the airport scandal hit the headlines there was open resentment and they began to feel shame ( yes shame ) and they were concerned about what the outside world would think about Thailand and the harm it had done.

New years eve was unbelievable with all the talk being about the negatives now being exposed on a daily basis.

Hardly a good word was spoken and it was obvious they felt badly let down by all the promises that were made to them and some where concerned about money problems ect. that were now building up

Now it is very rare to hear the laughter that used to echo all over the village area, coming from the local meetings and the smiles have been replaced with an odd mixture of confusion and bewilderment.

No one criticizes the present administration or shows resentment towards them and it,s not because they are frightened, it,s because they are totally demoralised and are constantly worrying about debts and how to provide for their families now the easy money they had before, has gone and pay back time has come.

On a personal note which you can ignore if you wish.......................................

I have had most of them asking / pleading with my wife to ask me to lend them money to pay for things they were encouraged to buy via their easy come, bank loans, which they can no longer pay the installments on.

You wanna see the stuff disappearing, motor vehicles, motor bikes, elect. water constantly cut off for non payment and cable t.v. ect. ect. going the same way.

Not with the genuine and wise, i might add, strangely enough who are and have been always conservative in their style of living ( within and not beyond ).

I had to start saying no because the loans were nigh impossible to recover even with signed promises to pay back ect. as these, as we all know are meaningless bits of paper.

Not mega bucks and only what i could afford so and i allowed for the risks involved

Also it was becoming obvious they were squandering what i lent ( GAVE ) them and friends i thought we had have stopped talking to us.

On the contrary they now bad mouth my wife and say we pretend to be rich and have nothing

Not one of the loans we recovered was paid back without hastle and most are still outstanding and passed their dates of recovery.

Bitter with them Honestly not.

I,m actually pleased as i now know who is what, behind the smiles and meaningless Wai,s i used to get.

Disappointed with the outcome Yes but i am still happy with my life while sorry for my wife who has shed many a tear over it all and thought everyone was her best friend ????????

We still have a few real friends and this makes up for the phoney ones, by a mile.

This is life in my neck of Isaan, John K. and i await the future with my usual optimism of a new constitution and a new beginning for our genuine Thai friends and our immediate families.

They deserve nothing LESS.

marshbags and YES i,m still Smiling.

Edited March 28, 2007 by marshbags

[John K]

Very good post marshbags. It is very important to see how this is playing out in their eyes. If I may as what province are you in? If this is typical then no doubt it is some good news hidden inside a dark cloud. They may want to seek the wisdom of a more educated person before they cast their next ballot, however old habits die hard and vote buying could prove to be a temptation too hard to resist.

From posts in the past the laid back thinking of being in a different world may not be so different after all especially when it effects their ability to pay back debt. I think Martin had some posts along that some time back.

I think that this may be the wake up call Isaan needed as compared to past corruption that was barley noticed, this is a tsunami in both financial and more important loss of face in parts of Thailand where face is the commodity.

Are there any other reports from Isaan?

[Bagwan]

If they are found not guilty it may just be some technicality and a very smart defense lawyer.

Or a very dumb prosecutor. Anybody who thinks that the prosecuting team may be bought off should be ashamed of themselves.

[Bagwan]

If convicted, Pojaman and Bhanapot face up to of 14 years in prison and Bt400,000 in fines. They will also have to pay outstanding tax, estimated by the Assets Examination Committee at Bt500 million.

Kanchanapa, if found guilty, faces a maximum of seven years in jail and a Bt200,000 fine. Prosecutors will say she did not play a direct role in the alleged evasion.

A toll collector on one of the freeways pocketed a few thousand and was sentenced to 45 years. Thai justice?

[marshbags]

It is very important to see how this is playing out in their eyes. If I may as what province are you in?

Udonthani

If this is typical then no doubt it is some good news hidden inside a dark cloud. They may want to seek the wisdom of a more educated person before they cast their next ballot, however old habits die hard and vote buying could prove to be a temptation too hard to resist.

From posts in the past the laid back thinking of being in a different world may not be so different after all especially when it effects their ability to pay back debt. I think Martin had some posts along that some time back.

I think that this may be the wake up call Isaan needed as compared to past corruption that was barley noticed, this is a tsunami in both financial and more important loss of face in parts of Thailand where face is the commodity.

Are there any other reports from Isaan?

Udonthani Province is still for me, personally, the best in Isaan, and long may it continue to be so.

As i go walk about i meet and talk to many Thai,s of different what ever pursuations, many on a daily basis.

I have noticed a complete change which has gradually developed as things come out of the woodwork and the implications they represent.

It was all TRT and Thaksin on everyones lips and he was their saviour who provided them with a prosperous future

Now it,s the opposite and more to the point they are not embarrassed in any way nor are they afraid to let you know in no uncertain terms.

Do you know some of my more familar conversationist ( all Male i might add ) try to put the odd expletive into their comments to emthasize their obvious resetment to him and his associates.

I might add that our English / Thai is not very good but we always manage to communicate and we always meet and leave each other with polite greetings and a smile.

It,s amazing what gestures can do to get something across.

My loans by the way are in my opinion an investment which have provided me with an insight into the real persona,s and " face " values behind the smiles.

The price was very cheap by comparison and also means they cannot ever come again.

A couple have tried i might add and put extra zeros on their ( they,ve got no Fukc*** chance ) requests for additional assistance accompanied by even more unrealistic promises to repay.

Imagine all the good things that could have been done with the Tax / lack of, along with all the tea money ect. that was syphoned off, especially to the now much poorer farmers along with all the other less fortunate, but deserving families.

Members like " Martin " and " Chownah "who i have come to respect as " farmers " may see it differently but the fact that the farmers are beginning to openly demonstrate and protest about debt ect. which was incurred and encouraged by the last government, for me speaks volumes.

I cannot see how it can be laid at the present administrations door unless i,m missing something ????

How anyone can continue to sing the praises of these unethical individuals, who are nothing more than thieves and unscrupulous criminals is beyond my comprehension.

marshbags

Edited March 29, 2007 by marshbags

[Ricardo]

It might be blamed on the new administration, in the sense that they have reduced (I would not claim - totally eliminated) the hand-out & loans & bribes, which had become common under the old regime. But it had to end sometime.

In our village, we regularly are asked for loans, by the sort of people who formerly benefited from TRT's rule. It is sad to see the effect on their lives, which the ending of this gravy-train brings, up to & including a local village-headman, who now asks our help to find buyers for his long-held family-antiques, so that he can clear his debts.

The wisdom of self-sufficiency, and living within one's means, is being demonstrated now, and people are less happy or given to showing-off for face, than before.