New Political Party Ready To Launch

[Jai Dee]

BMA to allow 111 banned TRT executives to set up forum

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has overturned a previous ruling to not allow 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives from setting up a forum. It states that the move was urged on by the Election Commission (EC) which stated it showed good faith.

The rally was initially not allowed because the group had requested to use Lumphini Park which the BMA felt may disturb citizens. Afterward the executives stated they would move onto the Democracy Monument.

The BMA has discussed the issue with the EC and has decided to allow the group to stage their rally at Lan Khon Muang(ลานคนเมือง) this Friday. Nonetheless, the forum will have to abide by BMA regulations on orderly conduct and volume control.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 November 2007

[sriracha john]

has decided to allow the group to stage their rally at Lan Khon Muang

I'm not familiar with this transliterated name. Can someone, Bangkok-knowledgeable, describe it's location?

This wouldn't happen to be the Thai name for the Bangkok City Dump, would it?

[marshbags]

Did a quick scroll to find any reference to a statement on Thai T.V. news last night and early this morning that said that Thaksin was returning on the 21-12-2007.

My wife said it had come from the pig...ooops i mean Samak.

Anybody able to enlighten me about this via any relevant thread / report please ?

I viewed the English nationals but couldn,t find any reference to it.

Possibly trying to create chaos, hot air or otherwise

I wouldn,t put it past him to time a return to cause as much havoc as possible prior to the 23rd.

It was definitely on the news as my wife witnessed / observed it

marshbags

Edited November 28, 2007 by marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

Did a quick scroll to find any reference to a statement on Thai T.V. news last night and early this morning that said that Thaksin was returning on the 21-12-2007.

My wife said it had come from the pig...ooops i mean Samak.

Anybody able to enlighten me about this via any relevant thread / report please ?

I viewed the English nationals but couldn,t find any reference to it.

Possibly trying to create chaos, hot air or otherwise

I wouldn,t put it past him to time a return to cause as much havoc as possible prior to the 23rd.

It was definitely on the news as my wife witnessed / observed it

marshbags

Maybe related?

keep a close eye on what Chalerm Yubamroong has to say on Dec 21.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1675631

[sriracha john]

Haven't seen anything other than Tony's link, but we'll keep an eye out for the "Grinch That Tried To Steal Christmas"....

meanwhile.... on the soapier side of the news...

Chuwit resigns from Chart Thai Party

Deputy Chart Thai Party Leader Chuwit Kamolvisit announced his resignation from the party on Wednesday, saying that he cannot accept political stance of Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa who ended political hook-up with Democrat Party.

His resignation was announced through advertisements in several local newspapers in the afternoon. On Tuesday, Chuwit strongly criticised Banharn, saying his lack of commitment to the Democrat Party shows that he can join hands with either the People Power Party or the Democrat Party, whichever has more seats. "This is dangerous," he said. "I can only say that a politician like this is dangerous."

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=124022

Edited November 28, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

Haven't seen anything other than Tony's link, but we'll keep an eye out for the "Grinch That Tried To Steal Christmas"....

meanwhile.... on the soapier side of the news...

Chuwit resigns from Chart Thai Party

Deputy Chart Thai Party Leader Chuwit Kamolvisit announced his resignation from the party on Wednesday, saying that he cannot accept political stance of Party Leader Banharn Silpa-archa who ended political hook-up with Democrat Party.

His resignation was announced through advertisements in several local newspapers in the afternoon. On Tuesday, Chuwit strongly criticised Banharn, saying his lack of commitment to the Democrat Party shows that he can join hands with either the People Power Party or the Democrat Party, whichever has more seats. "This is dangerous," he said. "I can only say that a politician like this is dangerous."

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=124022

That is rather serious, it takes a lot to rub Chuwit the wrong way.

Edited November 28, 2007 by John K

[sriracha john]

Haven't seen anything other than Tony's link, but we'll keep an eye out for the "Grinch That Tried To Steal Christmas"....

Here's more than on that Chalerm announcement...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1675881

[sriracha john]

Thai Rum Ruay Party Leader detained

Thai Rum Ruay Party Leader Pathom Ansakul remains in the race as a party-list candidate for Zone 6 even though he has been detained on suspicion of defrauding the public, Election Commission member Somchai Juengprasert said on Wednesday.

"Pathom is presumed innocent with qualifications intact to continue his campaigning until proven guilty," Somchai said.

The Department of Special Investigation took Pathom into custody on Tuesday for questioning about his involvement in a pyramid scheme.

Pathom reportedly ran his scheme out of his party's headquarters located on Sri Nagarindra Road, Bang Kapi district.

His party has fielded 386 party-list and constituency candidates for the December 23 election. His Zone 6 covers Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.

- The Nation

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

Media assailed as police raid firm

Over 100 people surrounded journalists for three hours yesterday upset that the media accompanied Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officers to search a suspected pyramid funding company in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district.

Head of DSI Special Crime Office, Colonel Piyawat Kingketm, led his team along with officials from the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) and the Finance Ministry's Off-system Finance Suppression Division to search Easy Network Marketing on Srinakharin Road at 10.30am.

The firm's managing director, Pathom Ansakul, 28, who is also the Leader of Thai Rum Ruay Party, had been taken into police custody for questioning on Tuesday about his involvement in a suspected pyramid scheme.

Fourteen boxes of documents and computers were collected from the office amid security provided by 40 policemen. The investigation, which also involves company representatives, should have been completed late last night.

Piyawat said the DSI received a compliant from the CPB that the company was not operating as it had told the CPB, and instead was engaged in illegal activities by inviting members of the public to invest with the promise of high returns beyond the legal limit of 4 per cent.

He said such high returns were suspected to be generated from the principal of members who joined later, meaning the company borrowed money from newcomers to pay old members.

The company reportedly had investors buy shares at Bt1,450, and in return received rice and other consumer products to sell or consign to the company to sell for them, according to Piyawat.

The company promised that within three to six months the investors would get Bt2,750 per share, which was about 22 per cent interest per month. If the scheme had continued, the company would finally collapse and affect the country's economy and financial system, Piyawat said.

He said the company had been registered in 2005 as a direct-sale business of cosmetic products that paid its stockholders by dividend. However, it later notified the CPB that it would adjust its sale promotion plan to cover consumer goods.

Until September last year, complaints were filed to the CPB to probe its fund-raising methods, which were suspected to be similar to the pyramid scheme run by the notorious fraudster Mae Chamoi with her Chit Fund in the 1980s, in which many people lost a great deal of money through greed.

Over 100 investors camped outside the six-storey office yesterday while police, related officials and media members went inside to collect evidence.

The investors were upset that police searched the company, which they insisted was legal and had a proper marketing plan. They were especially upset with the media for covering the news. At 2pm, they surrounded the journalists in an attempt to prevent them from filing their news reports.

During the stand-off, a Daily News photographer who was recording the incident reportedly had his digital camera's memory stick broken by DSI officer Colonel Noppachai Pinthakup in a bid to end the conflict between the investors and the media. But the investors were not satisfied and a TITV cameraman received a blow to the head from an angry investor.

Hua Mark police superintendent Wattana Yeejin negotiated with the investors to release the reporters. Prior to this, Wattana said he believed the investors misunderstood the search by related agencies, which only needed a police presence to keep peace and order.

During the talk, the investors insisted journalists must report the company was legal and for TITV to apologise for their previous report, which said the company was cheating investors and its managing director had been arrested. They claimed the search by the DSI, along with the media reports would affect the company's business - and their investments.

One of the unhappy investors said the company was legal and paid taxes to the government every month, with a Bt5 million tax payment in August and a Bt3 million tax payment in July - but the DSI had still accused the company of being fraudulent.

"Our company pays dividends, it shares profits from selling goods among the members. We come here to collect dividends and collect goods for other members," he said, dismissing a reported threat that investors from upcountry would come to protest in Bangkok, saying they were coming for a party organised by the members.

At 4pm, the investors released the reporters and allowed the news vehicles to leave the area. The TITV cameraman and his assistant, along with Daily News reporter Surasak Thadcharoen, 27, then went to Hua Mark police station to file police complaints.

Surasak told police that while he was at the company at 2.15pm, the investors pushed him in the chest and tried to take away his digital camera, but he refused to release it so they detained him.

Until Colonel Noppachai went to negotiate for his release, the investors insisted the film be destroyed, so Surasak showed them his camera used a memory stick. The investors insisted it should be destroyed - so Noppachai broke it. They then let Surasak go.

Since the stick belonged to his employer, Surasak said he must file a police complaint. He filed four charges against the investors: illegal detention, physical assault, extortion and destroying his property.

TITV cameraman Parinya Siwakul, 36, and his assistant Wiroj Srisuk said they were waiting for the television station executives to see if they should file a police complaint.

Parinya said Wiroj was talking to the investors so they could get their van out of the area but the investors tried to attack him, so Wiroj ran off and Parinya went to help him. They were then attacked by a group of investors until the police intervened.

About 4pm, police managed to walk the two out as they promised not to send their news report. About 4.40pm, the news vans of TITV, Channel 7, and The Nation were allowed out safely.

Meanwhile, Deputy Metropolitan Police Area 2 Colonel Piyaphan Pingmuang said the city police would not hesitate to act as they had assigned officers to watch many firms suspected of running similar schemes and will investigate if a damaged party filed a complaint.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Matchima Thipataya Party on verge of break-up

Accusations fly of blackmail, extortion, coercion and abduction

The immediate future of the newly-formed Matchima Thipataya Party was in doubt yesterday after conflict erupted among senior members over controversial registration practices.

Claiming he is a victim of a conspiracy, Party Leader Prachai Leophairatana threatened to shut down the party instead of paying Bt60 million he claimed was being extorted from him.

The money was allegedly demanded in exchange for updating its records to reflect leadership changes.

"I am not disheartened, but prefer the dissolution of my party rather than agree to this blackmail," he said.

Prachai alleged Election Commission officials conspired with former party executives in the scam.

Because of time constraints in the lead-up to the December 23 election, Prachai took over the Matchima Party, instead of forming a new party from scratch.

At its convention on November 11, he sought and received approval to revise the party's name and revamp its executive under his leadership.

He claimed commission member Sodsri Satayathum gave the green light for the changes, and that the updating of records remained incomplete only because commission officials faulted name spelling, and former executives refused to sign the meeting minutes to verify their authenticity.

He said he would ignore the "extortion" demand, adding the commission should intervene to help him amend records before the December 11 deadline.

"If commission officials feel their salaries are too low, they should not blackmail me because I am willing to give them a raise if elected to lead the next government," he said.

Reacting to Prachai's remarks, former Party Leader Thanaporn Sriyakoon said he was considering defamation action.

Thanaporn said he helped party executive Nipa Soisri seek police charges of abduction and coercion against four of Prachai's subordinates.

He alleged party headquarters manager Arak Rochananutama and treasurer Silapin Buranasilapin detained Nipa on Tuesday in an attempt to force her to authenticate the minutes. Two junior party officials allegedly assisted the pair. Nipa refused and was detained overnight before she was rescued, he added.

Thanaporn suspected the signatures of Deputy Leader Ratanawut Charoenrum and Secretary Pornwut Ngamdet had been forged on the document. The commission also suspected the signatures were not genuine and sent the document back for further verification, he said. "Instead of asking the two to verify their signatures, the party opted to coerce Nipa," he said.

Thanaporn said the delay in updating party records was a result of the "questionable authenticity" of the minutes. He denied any involvement in blackmail.

Incumbent Party Secretary-General Anongwan Thepsuthin said her husband and faction leader, Somsak, was not the mastermind of the alleged scam as claimed by party officials seen as close to Prachai.

"Prachai has been elected party leader and I think it is impossible to extort money from him in exchange for just one signature," she said.

The campaigning will continue under the Matchima Thipataya banner, she said, shrugging off Prachai's threat to close down the party.

Insiders said Prachai and Somsak had been at odds for quite some time. They claimed Somsak knew in advance the minutes were not in order, but forwarded them to the commission after Prachai threatened to cut off financial support for candidates.

The issue was not questionable authenticity of the minutes but a blunder in holding an open vote to install Prachai as party leader when election laws demand a secret vote, a source said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Prachai threatens to dissolve Matchima Thipataya Party

Prachai Leophairatana has threatened to disband the Matchima Thipataya party after the former industrial tycoon alleged he has been blackmailed by a party member. Prachai claimed yesterday that the member refused to correct the party's officially registered name of Matchima to Matchima Thipataya. The member would not agree to sign a document to change the name unless Prachai paid him 60 million baht, said Prachai, who insisted he has not received formal acknowledgement of his party leadership from the Election Commission. The party started off being known as Matchima political group. It later registered as a political party under the name of Matchima Thipataya. Signatures of two senior party executives are required to validate the name change with the EC. Only one endorsed the change. Prachai said the blackmailer is a close aide of Somsak Thepsuthin, founder of the Matchima group. Somsak was aware of the blackmail attempt, but could not do anything about it, he added. Prachai, the party's de facto leader who previously ran the Thai Petrochemical Industry company, said he would choose to disband the party rather than pay the blackmailer. Matchima Thipataya Secretary-General Anongwan Thepsuthin, Somsak's wife, said she did not believe the blackmail allegation, because the party had confirmed Prachai as leader. Meanwhile, party executive Nipha Soysriha and former Party Leader Thanaporn Sriyakul filed a complaint with police against six fellow party members who allegedly tried to force them to sign a document verifying Prachai's leadership.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Nov2007_news04.php

[sriracha john]

Scuffles as police raid party's 'direct sales' premises

Members of a party that police say is running an illicit direct sales business yesterday put up resistance to a DSI raid on their premises. Police have arrested Thai Ramruai Party Leader Pathom Ansakul on a charge of fraud for allegedly operating an illegal network marketing business. The Election Commission (EC) alerted them to concerns that the Party Leader seemed unusually rich. However, the EC says Pathom is still eligible to stand as an MP as long as he is not convicted. Ironically, ramruai means rich in English. Officials from the DSI, Consumers Protection Board, and Finance Ministry yesterday raided the six-storey office of Easy Network Co on Srinakarin road in Bangkok's Hua Mak area. Earlier, police took in Pathom, the company's 28-year-old managing director and Thai Ramruai Party Leader, for questioning. Col Piyawat said the CPB alerted the DSI that Pathom's Easy Network Co had registered as a direct sales business, but did not abide by the law regulating this type of business. The CPB found irregularities in three company activities. More than 100 members of the company gathered in front of the office while authorities were conducting their search. Outraged members also scuffled with cameramen from TITV television station and the Daily News newspaper. After lengthy negotiations, they agreed to let officers remove the documents on the condition that police leave a sum of 9 million baht in cash kept in the office, and that some members go with police to keep an eye on the documents. The little-known Thai Ramruai Party is fielding 386 candidates in the election, which is more than the number of candidates fielded by some major political parties.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Nov2007_news02.php

[John K]

There are a few trends that are starting to emerge.

One is the attempt to discredit the EC. This will set the ground for another election should the bad boys lose out.

The second is Samak has been unusually quiet at a time he should be campaigning to the max. I can’t help but want to be a fly on the wall at the PPP office, I am sure there is a lot of shouting and other less than civile thing going on there. Has Thaksin been in public in the UK? My guess is no.

[John K]

Abhisit says EC must clear up bribery claim

(BangkokPost.com) - Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on the Election Commission (EC) to clear the air after Matchimathipataya party leader Prachai Leophairatana claimed he suspected some EC officials were involved in a blackmail attempt against him.

On Wednesday, Mr Prachai claimed he has been blackmailed by a party member, who asked him to pay 60 million baht in exchange for an endorsement of a name change of the party -- from Matchima to Matchimathipataya.

Mr Abhisit said the EC has to explain the matter to public to ensure that it will be politically impartial.

Mr Prachai threatened to dissolve the party rather than pay the bribery demand.

More here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=124055

[Jai Dee]

EC says Matchima Thipathai lacks documents for name change

Election Commission (EC) member Sodrsi Sattayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) has revealed that the commissions recent disapproval of a name change request by Matchima Thipathai group had nothing to do with political motives as the group’s paper work was incomplete. Mrs. Sodsri stated that the EC has clarified the matter to a representative sent by the party to amend their documentation and fill out all required paper work.

The EC vows that it will issue an approval for name change once the party completes all necessary documents to apply for the change. Mrs. Sodsri also mentioned that because the party has not cleared all documents for its alterations its newly appointed leader cannot yet serve as its official head. Matchima Thipathai party’s original leader has left his post effectively leaving the party with no leader at the moment.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 November 2007

[Jai Dee]

DPM General Sonthi expresses that high political competition is a natural cycle

Deputy Prime Minister of Internal Security General Sonthi Boonyaratglin stated after delivering a speech under the topic of “All should join hands to a just Election to create national security” that if after elections no party holds a clear majority, competition to form a government will become intense.

General Sonthi assured that intense competition was natural in the political world and should not a cause for worry among citizens. He stated that the rush to form a coalition has happened many times in the past. He only commented that if a party decides to establish a coalition it must organize it well as to not cause disarray and conflict later.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 November 2007

[Jai Dee]

Army Commander affirms neutral position after Election

Army Commander-in-Chief General Anupong Paojinda has affirmed that he will accept the decision of citizens in the upcoming election and welcome the government of their choice. General Anupong stated that he would remain unaffected after polls showed the potential for the People’s Power Party to gain power. The party is mostly comprised of former administration politicians.

General Anupong expressed that he did not fear reprisals if the People’s Power Party took power and that the military would remain firm in its stance of neutrality. He stated that if the new government was appointed and recalculated his position, he would accept the outcome of their decision as it is the choice of the people.

The Army Commander stated that another reform such as the one that alleviated the nation of the former administration would only destabilize work towards democracy that has taken place and he would not participate in such activity.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 29 November 2007

[hammered]

Scuffles as police raid party's 'direct sales' premises

Members of a party that police say is running an illicit direct sales business yesterday put up resistance to a DSI raid on their premises. Police have arrested Thai Ramruai Party Leader Pathom Ansakul on a charge of fraud for allegedly operating an illegal network marketing business. The Election Commission (EC) alerted them to concerns that the Party Leader seemed unusually rich. However, the EC says Pathom is still eligible to stand as an MP as long as he is not convicted. Ironically, ramruai means rich in English. Officials from the DSI, Consumers Protection Board, and Finance Ministry yesterday raided the six-storey office of Easy Network Co on Srinakarin road in Bangkok's Hua Mak area. Earlier, police took in Pathom, the company's 28-year-old managing director and Thai Ramruai Party Leader, for questioning. Col Piyawat said the CPB alerted the DSI that Pathom's Easy Network Co had registered as a direct sales business, but did not abide by the law regulating this type of business. The CPB found irregularities in three company activities. More than 100 members of the company gathered in front of the office while authorities were conducting their search. Outraged members also scuffled with cameramen from TITV television station and the Daily News newspaper. After lengthy negotiations, they agreed to let officers remove the documents on the condition that police leave a sum of 9 million baht in cash kept in the office, and that some members go with police to keep an eye on the documents. The little-known Thai Ramruai Party is fielding 386 candidates in the election, which is more than the number of candidates fielded by some major political parties.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/29Nov2007_news02.php

Interesting why this is such a big story and how such a little known party got to field so many MPs

[Tony Clifton]

Following last years canceled election and party dissolutions, mafia-style politics is still very popular. The article above clearly shows that they just don't care if they have to screw fellow citizens for funds in order to gain political power. One is left wondering what others are ready to do for the old power clique with all the money. At least, no candidates have received the bullet treatment yet.

We witnessed a local PPP canvasser walking around the market this week. A tall and intimidating fellow who nobody seemed to be interested in, but when he barged in front of someone and forced his wai on people, they stopped dead in their tracks and waied back. One look at the guy and you could see by his attitude and actions that he's not someone to mess with, I didn't even make eye contact when he walked right by me. Meanwhile, the candidate, dressed in dirty and stained black jeans with a wrinkled shirt half-tucked in his pants, was yapping on a loud PA system and no one seemed to listen, there was no gathering in front of him. One man actually stopped in front of the flatbed truck for a moment, lit a cigarette and kept on walking.

We've received a few pink cards from the post office and haven't ordered anything nor are we expecting any deliveries. I'm wondering if vote buying is coming our way following local politicians attempts at getting me involved in their door to door campaign and the suddent surge in post office money orders. We're going to pick up whatever it is in about an hour from now.

[sriracha john]

How much did "we" get, Tony?

[sriracha john]

There's a lot of people vying for positions... a nearly 10 to 1 ratio...

Number of candidates

According to the Election Commission, 3,879 candidates applied for constituency MP seats, of which 3,327 were men and 572 women.

The number was corrected after 15 candidates were found to be unqualified, EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said.

He said 37 proportionate MP candidates were disqualified earlier and nine of them have filed complaints to the court.

There are 400 constituency MP seats in the country up for grabs.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Democrat party has high hopes in Chon Buri

Chart Thai candidates in Chon Buri under the care of the Khunpluem family are being challenged by the Democrats, who hope to snatch at least four of the eight parliamentary seats in the province. The Democrats expect to drive arch-rivals in Chart Thai into a corner and get their candidates into parliament because of the disappearance of Somchai Khunpluem, better known as Kamnan Poh, an influential figure in the province. In the 2005 election, the Kamnan Poh faction, which was then under the TRT party banner, made a clean sweep of all eight seats in the province. The Khunpluem family has now changed political camps and aligned itself with Chart Thai. There have been rumours that Somchai, 70, fled to Kong island in Cambodia, a popular hideaway for rogue Thai politicians, after the Supreme Court sentenced him last year to five years and four months in jail for his part in the corrupt procurement of a plot of public land for use as a dump site. *He also skipped out on a 25 year prison sentence for first-degree murder* Because of his absence, the Democrats have high hopes of winning seats in the coastal province. Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political scientist at Burapha University, said there would be political change in the province. ''I believe that there will be more candidates from other parties apart from Chart Thai in this election because the Khunpluem family have no charisma, or not as much as their father Kamnan Poh did,'' he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/30Nov2007_news05.php

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

The many exploits of Kamnan Poh and his extensively corrupt family are covered in Thaivisa thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...c=46331&hl=

Sinking Lower The Lowest, Pattaya City News Breaks Record

Edited November 30, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

Every time I turn around there is a new name that pops up that is being probed. I can’t help but wonder when they will start a new wing at the Bangkok Hilton for all their future guest.

[Jai Dee]

Matchima Thipathai affirms party will not disband

Matchima Thipathai Party Leader to-be Prachai Lieowpairat (ประชัย เลี่ยวไพรัตน์) has affirmed that despite recent turmoil’s he has met with current party head Somsak Thepsutin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน) and the party will not disband. Mr. Prachai attributed many of the problems within the problem with miscommunication, but now that he has met with Mr. Somsak he is confident the party can resolve the various issues.

The party has been met with dilemmas as of late ranging from scandals to leader changes. Mr. Prachai denied commenting on the issues but affirmed that the party would stay united and work towards the election. He assured that with increased communication, the party would overcome its present state.

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

[John K]

Actually I though the Viagra vote buying was a hard sell tactic.

[Jai Dee]

DSI on trail of Bt1 bn

Easy Network boss Pathom denied bail; investors told to file complaints

Suspecting there was nearly Bt1 billion in Easy Network Marketing's alleged pyramid fund the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) yesterday froze all its known bank accounts and seized about Bt90 million in cash.

DSI officers also took the firm's managing director Pathom Ansakul, 28, who is the leader of Thai Rum Ruay Party, to court for a detention application.

DSI director-general Sunai Manomai-udom yesterday said the firm's known bank accounts were frozen. An initial investigation found money in two bank accounts, each holding Bt40 million. The DSI seized another Bt10 million in cash from the company's safe box.

Sunai said the firm was suspected to have nearly Bt1 billion in the scheme.

Head of the DSI's Special Crime Office, Colonel Piyawat King-ket, said many people had made enquiries to the DSI, the Consumer Protection Board (CPB) and Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) about assistance for those who had invested with Easy Network Marketing.

These agencies and officials from the Finance Ministry's Off-system Finance Suppression Division had discussed the case. They had contacted the Interior Ministry to have provincial governors take complaints from the investors, he said.

Piyawat urged country investors to file a complaint along with evidence of membership in the company and their share-buying receipts at an Interior Ministry Damrongtham Call Centre or provincial hall. People in Bangkok could file a complaint at the DSI.

If sufficient evidence was found of illegal activities, the DSI would take legal action and the seized money could be paid as compensation to the damaged parties, Piyawat said.

Meanwhile, 20 DSI officers yesterday took the firm's managing director, Pathom Ansakul, to Ratchadaphisek Criminal Court to apply for the first 12-day detention period from November 29 to December 10 pending further investigation into his involvement in the suspected pyramid scheme.

Since this was a serious crime and police had 20 more witnesses to question, they asked the court not to grant Pathom bail, saying it was likely he would try to escape, tamper with the evidence or continue his controversial business.

Pathom's sister Naporn Ansakul submitted a bank account with Bt1 million as a bail deposit for Pathom, but the court dismissed her request.

The large police presence was necessary as 50 members of the company were outside the court and many continued to blame the media for presenting a one-sided view of the case. However, they did not assail the reporters as they did on Wednesday when 100 people surrounded journalists for three hours.

Pathom, who is being held at Bangkok Special Prison, said he did not know the investors would attack journalists on Wednesday and apologised on their behalf. He urged reporters who were attacked to contact the firm so that it could take care of them.

He insisted he would remain the leader of Thai Rum Ruay Party.

Source: The Nation - 30 November 2007

[Jai Dee]

Ex-TRT leader to speak tonight

Former acting Thai Rak Thai party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng is set to deliver a speech criticising the Council for National Security at Lan Khon Muang on Friday evening.

Mr Chaturon will speak about the decision of the seven-member investigation committee that ruled on Wednesday that the CNS had violated a law in failing to maintain its neutrality as a state agency by issuing an order in a classified document to suppress its opponents.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[John K]

Ex-TRT leader to speak tonight

Former acting Thai Rak Thai party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng is set to deliver a speech criticising the Council for National Security at Lan Khon Muang on Friday evening.

Mr Chaturon will speak about the decision of the seven-member investigation committee that ruled on Wednesday that the CNS had violated a law in failing to maintain its neutrality as a state agency by issuing an order in a classified document to suppress its opponents.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

He will have a hard time not playing favorites to the PPP with that topic.

[Tony Clifton]

How much did "we" get, Tony?

Every day is a new adventure isn't it?

We went to the new post office where staff at the old post office redirected us last time we got a pink card. Got to the new post office and were told to go to the old post office. Too close to closing time, headed back home.

Some neighbors have apparently received pink cards as well but found unusually long queues when they showed up for their mystery prize. I haven't seen the other cards, but, although our card has different check boxes to indicate what it is waiting for us over there, none have been check marked.

Edited November 30, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

How much did "we" get, Tony?

Every day is a new adventure isn't it?

We went to the new post office where staff at the old post office redirected us last time we got a pink card. Got to the new post office and were told to go to the old post office. Too close to closing time, headed back home.

Tomorrow, the old post office will tell you that they sent it over to the new post office late yesterday after you failed to show up and collect it from the old post office... :D

Some neighbors have apparently received pink cards as well but found unusually long queues when they showed up for their mystery prize. I haven't seen the other cards, but, although our card has different check boxes to indicate what it is waiting for us over there, none have been check marked.

They need another box

Letter___

Parcel ____

Insured____

PPP Gift____

[ukjackthai]

Oh good!! Another band of cheats, frauds, swindlers, cronies, wasters, corrupters, rogues, rascals, blaggards, cads, fakes and fly-by-nights coming to an electoral constituency near you SOON.

Agreed.