Ex-minister Of Social Development And Human Security Accused Of Taking Kick-backs In Housing Project

[Jai Dee]

Wattana Muangsuk alleged in taking kick-backs in Eua-Artorn Housing Project

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) approves the set up of a new subcommittee to interrogate Wattana Muangsuk (วัฒนา เมืองสุข), the ex-Minister of Social Development and Human Security involved in the Eua-Artorn (เอื้ออาทร) Housing Project.

President of the AEC’s subcommittee scrutinizing the project, Kaewsan Atipothi (แก้วสรร อติโพธิ) reveals that the new subcommittee will find out whether Mr Wattana violated articles 144, 149, and 157 of the Criminal Code. The article 144 concerns ignorance of duty by state officials while articles 144 and 149 concern bribery of state officials.

Other people alleged of being involved in the corruption include Mana Wongphiwat (มานะ วงศ์พิวัฒน์) as well as the Pastilla and the President companies. Mr Mana was the president of the subcommittee monitoring the housing project appointed by the last government. He and the executive board of the Pastilla Company were alleged of bribery while the President Company was alleged of money laundering.

According to Mr Kaewsan, there are witnesses testifying that Mr Wattana demanded Mr Mana to approve the Malaysian Pastilla Company as the project’s contractor. The AEC’s subcommittee has also found a transfer of more than 80 million baht from the company's bank account to Mr Wattana’s. In addition, it has detected an effort to launder the money into the bank account of the President Company which has a personal relationship with Mr Wattana.

AEC will forward the Eua-Artorn corruption case to the Anti-Money Laundering Office and request it to seize assets of the alleged people by the end of this month.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[cclub75]

Here we go again : a committee creates... a subcommittee.

I mean, if we didn't know that all those allegations were certainly true... it would be ridiculous.

And the irony : Mana was himself the president of... a subcommittee.

I guess Thais just love thoses...

Anyway : enough talking and committee creation ! We need prosecution.

A transfert of 80 millions from the company to the personal account of this guy should be a hard evidence. It should be backed (or not) by some accounting traces.

Could hardly be petty cash...

So ? No need a subcommittee to investigate.

What is the accounting justification for this transfert ? If they aren't any, put the guy in custody and make him talk.

Wattana Muangsuk alleged in taking kick-backs in Eua-Artorn Housing Project

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) approves the set up of a new subcommittee to interrogate Wattana Muangsuk (วัฒนา เมืองสุข), the ex-Minister of Social Development and Human Security involved in the Eua-Artorn (เอื้ออาทร) Housing Project.

President of the AEC’s subcommittee scrutinizing the project, Kaewsan Atipothi (แก้วสรร อติโพธิ) reveals that the new subcommittee will find out whether Mr Wattana violated articles 144, 149, and 157 of the Criminal Code. The article 144 concerns ignorance of duty by state officials while articles 144 and 149 concern bribery of state officials.

Other people alleged of being involved in the corruption include Mana Wongphiwat (มานะ วงศ์พิวัฒน์) as well as the Pastilla and the President companies. Mr Mana was the president of the subcommittee monitoring the housing project appointed by the last government. He and the executive board of the Pastilla Company were alleged of bribery while the President Company was alleged of money laundering.

According to Mr Kaewsan, there are witnesses testifying that Mr Wattana demanded Mr Mana to approve the Malaysian Pastilla Company as the project’s contractor. The AEC’s subcommittee has also found a transfer of more than 80 million baht from the company's bank account to Mr Wattana’s. In addition, it has detected an effort to launder the money into the bank account of the President Company which has a personal relationship with Mr Wattana.

AEC will forward the Eua-Artorn corruption case to the Anti-Money Laundering Office and request it to seize assets of the alleged people by the end of this month.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 March 2007

[ronw]

What's all this ?Corruption in a mega project ? Well, I never ! I am really shocked and surprised!

Whoever would believe it? The mind boggles!!! What next ?Tell me I am dreaming this....please!!

[stoneman]

Here we go again : a committee creates... a subcommittee.

I mean, if we didn't know that all those allegations were certainly true... it would be ridiculous.

And the irony : Mana was himself the president of... a subcommittee.

I guess Thais just love thoses...

Anyway : enough talking and committee creation ! We need prosecution.

A transfert of 80 millions from the company to the personal account of this guy should be a hard evidence. It should be backed (or not) by some accounting traces.

Could hardly be petty cash...

So ? No need a subcommittee to investigate.

What is the accounting justification for this transfert ? If they aren't any, put the guy in custody and make him talk.

[/i]

This man has too many friends and is very high up in the political scene. He was involved with other regimes prior to Toxin.. I would be willing to wager that he will never be convicted(his secretary did it and he knew nothing about it until he read it in the newspaper )

And in the off chance he is convicted, I am sure he will never see that inside of a jail..

[lazeeboy]

Here we go again : a committee creates... a subcommittee.

I mean, if we didn't know that all those allegations were certainly true... it would be ridiculous.

And the irony : Mana was himself the president of... a subcommittee.

I guess Thais just love thoses...

Anyway : enough talking and committee creation ! We need prosecution.

A transfert of 80 millions from the company to the personal account of this guy should be a hard evidence. It should be backed (or not) by some accounting traces.

Could hardly be petty cash...

So ? No need a subcommittee to investigate.

What is the accounting justification for this transfert ? If they aren't any, put the guy in custody and make him talk.

[/i]

This man has too many friends and is very high up in the political scene. He was involved with other regimes prior to Toxin.. I would be willing to wager that he will never be convicted(his secretary did it and he knew nothing about it until he read it in the newspaper )

And in the off chance he is convicted, I am sure he will never see that inside of a jail..

80 million buys a lot of help so the circle of corruption continues

[Jai Dee]

Kaewsan forwards the Eua-Arthorn case to DSI

The subcommittee scrutinizing the Eua-Artorn (เอื้ออาทร) Housing Project indicates that if the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) accepts the Eua-Artorn corruption case, those involved in the corruption will face criminal charges.

President of the subcommittee Kaewsan Atipothi (แก้วสรร อติโพธิ) reveals that the subcommittee has forwarded results of its investigation into the Eua-Artorn Project to DSI. DSI’s meeting tomorrow (March, 23rd) will decide whether it will accept the case or not.

According to Mr Kaewsan, the investigation of the case is divided into two parts. The first part deals with corruption by state officials while the other concerns money laundering. DSI is expected to work with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) in taking legal actions against the wrongdoers of the case.

Meanwhile, Suraphong Towijakchaikul (สุรพงษ์ โตวิจักษ์ชัยกุล) travels to the office of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to submit a letter to AEC, requesting it to inspect Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister. Mr Suraphong alleges that the PM’s Office Minister Theerapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร เสรีรังสรรค์) violated articles 83 and 157 of the Criminal Code by authorizing the “Yam Fao Phaen Din” program to air on Channel 11.

Mr Suraphong is the ex-member of parliament candidate in Chiang Mai Province and member of the Thai Rak Thai Party.

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

[Siripon]

Oh dear! Mr Wattana, the evidence is really rather plain to see, no wonder there is a deafening silence from yourself. This is the problem in Thai society when men marry into families that are richer than theirs, CP in this case.

The men feel inferior and somewhat desperate to get richer to prove themselves equal.

The consequences may be disastrous as in the above case.

Mr Bhokin, Mr Thaksin's ex-buddy who ruled the Senate recently, also married a lady far richer than himself.

[Jai Dee]

Suspicious bank deals linked to ex-minister

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) had found suspicious money transactions to a company linked to former minister Watana Muangsook, who has been accused in a Bt82-million bribery scandal linked to the Ua Arthorn housing project, a source in the agency said yesterday.

The agency has informed the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) about the report it received from the Bangkok Bank's Rattanatibet branch, which was compulsory for transactions exceeding Bt2 million, according to the source.

The suspicious transactions were discovered before news broke this week about Watana's involvement in the scandal. The AEC said on Monday Watana and his accomplices had been implicated for abuse of power and receiving kickbacks in Ua Arthorn Project

The case against Watana will hit the previous government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Watana, an in-law of CP Group boss Dhanin Chearavanont, was seen to represent the nepotism involved in Thaksin's selection of his Cabinet members. And the Ua Arthorn project was one of the previous government's populist policies.

Rice-trading company President Agri Trading was found to have withdrawn Bt18 million from the bank branch via 11 cheques on March 15, 2004, the source said.

The firm has been accused of helping Watana launder illicit funds into his accounts. He served as the social development and human security minister in the previous government.

Four days later on March 19, the source said another company, Pastiya Thai, transferred Bt63 million into an account of President Agri Trading - which withdrew the whole amount on the same day.

The Bt63 million was divided and deposited in five bank accounts: two in the name of President Agri Trading; one in the firm's executive's name, one in his wife's name, and one in the name of the firm's car driver, the source said.

Meanwhile, a legal adviser for deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he believed Thaksin's wife Khunying Pojaman and her brother Bhanapot Damapong would be released on bail after being charged with tax evasion.

Noppadon Pattama said Pojaman and Bhanapot would report to public prosecutors by the deadline on Monday to hear the indictment against them, as recommended by the AEC.

They have been charged with filing false income-tax returns in relation to a stock transaction between them in 2000. The prosecutors ruled that the defendants unlawfully claimed tax exemption.

Following normal legal procedures, the prosecutors will spell out the charges when the pair arrive, then take them to the Criminal Court.

Noppadon said his clients were preparing to file a motion for bail.

Based on the AEC's report, Pojaman and Bhanapot were liable for Bt500 million in unpaid tax. If convicted, they will have to meet their tax liabilities and pay a fine of up to Bt400,000 on top of any time served in jail.

The Attorney General's prosecution team, meanwhile, insisted it would file a complaint against Pojaman and Bhanapot even if they failed to report on Monday, spokesman Attapol Yaisawang said.

If the pair asked for bail, however, the team would not oppose it, he said.

Pojaman and Bhanapot each face a maximum jail term of up to 14 years for tax evasion if they are found guilty.

Source: The Nation - 23 March 2007

[cclub75]

Should we be... surprised ?

I mean 60 millions THB given to a... housekeeper.

The man has had a good teacher indeed. Remember Thaksin ? His maid and driver were MULTI billionaire.

But at that time, in 2001, it was merely "assets concealment" and "nominees"...

I guess Wattana is just a little more... stupid than his mentor.

[Jai Dee]

AEC finds 'fishy deal' in housing project

The Assets Examination Committee has discovered dubious money transfers by the National Housing Authority regarding the controversial Ua Arthorn housing project, an AEC member said yesterday.

It was found that a private contractor hired to build houses for the NHA had paid the agency Bt600 million for its land just five minutes after the same amount of money was transferred by the NHA into the contractor's bank account.

Kaewsan Atibodhi, who heads the AEC subcommittee investigating the Ua Arthorn project, said the practice was dubious as the agency was supposed to receive payment for its land before it would pay for the construction cost.

"The money out [of the NHA] was faster than the money in," he said, adding that the land was found to be worth Bt410 million.

"They used the NHA's money to buy its land, even though they had only Bt10,000 left in the account. This has caused us [the AEC] to suspect this purchase could be fishy," said Kaewsan.

He said the probe so far had found no involvement of policy-makers in the suspected irregularity.

The transfers involved 200 rai of land in the Romklao-Bang Phli phase of the Ua Arthorn project.

The project has already been hit by a bribery scandal involving Watana Muangsook, who was the social development and human security minister in the previous government.

Chuanpit Chaimuanwong, former governor of the NHA, showed up at the Auditor-General's Office, which houses the AEC office.

She left shortly before 8pm, 10 hours after the questioning began. Chuanpit brushed off questions from reporters by saying, "Not now please. I already have a headache."

Source: The Nation - 24 March 2007

[andook]

After lots of sub-committee meetings and shufflings in corridors. A semi-sub committee wai-ed its committee members; smirked a lot, and then they all went out for shark's fin soup. They all agreed to investigate the family of Mr Wattana's driver.

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

Ua-arthorn housing 'falling apart'

Chiang Mai _ About 200 residents in San Kamphaeng district are up in arms over the ''shoddy'' construction of their low-cost Ban Ua-arthorn housing, complaining the homes are plagued by defects and are unsafe to live in. The Ban Ua-arthorn scheme, literally meaning care and share, was first introduced in 2003 as a fast-track project to provide low-cost housing countrywide. Brushing aside criticism that the scheme was an unsustainable populist policy, the Thaksin administration went on expanding the housing project in many provinces, with people across the country queueing up for a chance to reserve the subsidised houses. In some popular locations, people had to draw lots to secure their right to buy them. Now, at the Ua-arthorn village in tambon Ton Pao, 200 of those residents have to queue up again; this time to demand compensation for the defects. The Assets Scrutiny Committee is already investigating alleged irregularities in the Ban Ua-arthorn housing project after the auditor-general found that land in Prachin Buri was acquired by the NHA at an inflated price, a source said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28May2007_news08.php

[ratcatcher]

Scandal-linked Japanese minister kills himself

Tokyo - Japan's farm minister committed suicide Monday hours before he was expected to face questions in parliament in a scandal over political donations and rigged contracts, officials said.

Toshikatsu Matsuoka was found unconscious in a residence for lawmakers and rushed to hospital where he died.

News reports said the 62-year-old hanged himself while in his pyjamas using a dog leash attached to his living room door.

His death is a blow to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his government, whose approval ratings have plummeted amid the allegations. He had strongly defended Matsuoka, a political insider who had helped him rise up the ruling party.

"It is extremely unfortunate and I am overwhelmed with regret. I want to pray for the rest of his soul," a visibly shaken premier told reporters after seeing Matsuoka's body at the hospital.

"I had an opportunity to see his face. He had a very peaceful face," Abe added.

-------------------------------------------See Nation for rest of story---------------------

Japanese style. Rather sad. Death with honor?

In Thailand all politicians should be issued with a suicide kit comprising : large knife, strychnine tablets or 3 meters of strong cord complete with full instructions in their use.

Thus they would all have the option of a peaceful departure if they felt they were guilty of corruption.

Trouble is the death rate from suicides among politicians in Thailand would skyrocket.

[Plus]

Why spend so much time devising the best constitution possible when it's the people who ruin everything here.

[John K]

UPDATE

Ua-arthorn housing 'falling apart'

Chiang Mai _ About 200 residents in San Kamphaeng district are up in arms over the ''shoddy'' construction of their low-cost Ban Ua-arthorn housing, complaining the homes are plagued by defects and are unsafe to live in. The Ban Ua-arthorn scheme, literally meaning care and share, was first introduced in 2003 as a fast-track project to provide low-cost housing countrywide. Brushing aside criticism that the scheme was an unsustainable populist policy, the Thaksin administration went on expanding the housing project in many provinces, with people across the country queueing up for a chance to reserve the subsidised houses. In some popular locations, people had to draw lots to secure their right to buy them. Now, at the Ua-arthorn village in tambon Ton Pao, 200 of those residents have to queue up again; this time to demand compensation for the defects. The Assets Scrutiny Committee is already investigating alleged irregularities in the Ban Ua-arthorn housing project after the auditor-general found that land in Prachin Buri was acquired by the NHA at an inflated price, a source said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28May2007_news08.php

I would guess that little 6. Something shake about a week ago had a bit to do with this. Make you wonder where else that quality work may be.

[astral]

Sorry what is new here?

[Phil Conners]

But the "polyannas" will again stand up and defend it as "being thai nature" and "none of our business" etc etc etc