Corruption Update

[marshbags]

From todays Nation

Mon, March 19, 2007 : Last updated 16:32 pm (Thai local time)

Quote:-

Six months on the corruption trail

The current status of the Assets Examination Committee's probe into cases of irregularities and corruption by the Thaksin Shinawatra government:

1. Pojaman Shinawatra's Ratchadapisek land purchase

The couple would be charged with violating Article 152 of the Criminal Code for allegedly exploiting Thaksin's position for personal gain. The AEC had earlier charged Thaksin and Pojaman with violating Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act that bans state officials and their spouses from having an interest in contracts made with state agencies under their supervision.

The AEC has decided to press for additional criminal charges against Thaksin and Pojaman over the controversial land purchase, which could result in the plots in question being seized.

2. Alleged tax evasion in the share sale of Shinawatra Computer and Telecommunications

The Office of Attorney-General has decided to prosecute Pojaman, her brother Bhanapot Damapong, and her private secretary Kanchanapa Honghern for tax evasion.

In 1997, Bhanapot received 4.5 million shares of Shinawatra Computer and Communication worth Bt738 million from Shinawatra household maid Duangta Wongpakdi, as a wedding gift from Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, allegedly to avoid taxation.

The next step is for the AEC to summon the defendants to report to prosecutors before March 26 to hear the charges against them.

3. Alleged tax evasion in Shin Corp share sales to Temasek Holdings

March 16: Surin Upapatkun, the major shareholder of Kularb Kaew Co, outlined his involvement in the company, while many suspect the company acted as a nominee for Singapore's Temasek Holdings to execute the Shin Corp deal in 2006.

The AEC fact-finding committee is gathering information about the share sale by Thaksin's children Panthongtae and Pinthongta.

4. Procurement of CTX9000 bomb scanners and baggage-handling system for Suvarnabhumi Airport

The case is under investigation and summonses have been sent to 38 people. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to testify on March 29, and on the same day former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit would report to the AEC to hear the allegation.

5. Krung Thai Bank Loan

The AEC subcommittee has said that 32 people, including Thaksin's son Panthongtae and five companies, were involved in the loans, which is estimated to have cost the state up to Bt4.5 billion.

6. BMA fire-fighting vehicles and boat procurement

Former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, ex-interior minister Bhokin Bhalakula and his deputy Pracha Maleenont are among five people to be investigated by the AEC for alleged involvement in the corruption scandal.

7. Two- and three-digit lottery scheme

The AEC has incriminated 32 former cabinet members of the Thaksin government and 17 officials for state losses of Bt15 billion in taxes from the two- and three-digit lotteries.

8.Rubber-sapling purchase

More than 70 people, including all members of the Thaksin cabinet, are accused of being involved in the sapling corruption scandal.

The case is now being probed by AEC's investigation subcommittee. The panel is hearing clarifications by the accused.

9. Power scandal at Suvarnabhumi Airport

The AEC has appointed an investigation panel while the Airports of Thailand has sent representatives to the AEC to lodge a complaint against 14 suspects, including former transport minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit, and Srisook Chandrangsu, then permanent secretary at the transport ministry, for alleged involvement in the purchase of the underground power line system.

Other cases in various stages of information gathering by fact-finding panels are:

- Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail link

- Export-Import Bank's soft loan to Burma

- Excise on telecom businesses

- Central lab project

- Ua Athorn housing

Unquote.

This will do for starters and considering the list i cannot see certain Honest / Dishonest reputations staying in tact after these and other corruption charges yet to be disclosed reach their conclusions

without some sort of accountability being brought to bear.

IMHO of course

marshbags

Edited March 19, 2007 by marshbags

[stoneman]

Marshbags...

I think you are being overly optimistic..

I am of the opinion that there will not be 1 politician convicted and put in jail for even 1 day...I have no doubts that some mid level government employees will take the heat..

What happened to the 3 guys that were on the election commission that were found guilty abd sentenced to jail...I would be willing to wager that they are not in jail.. TIT

[Dupont]

Well, I think the powers that be and Thailand (Politically speaking) are drinking in the last chance saloon.

If they don't pin any top brass for this, the reputation of it (Thailand) being corrupt will live long in the minds of the international community.