AEC Files Charges Against Ex-Ministers Involved In Authorization Of 2-3 Digit Lotteries

[Jai Dee]

AEC files charges against ex-ministers involved in authorization of 2-3 digit lotteries

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) files charges against ministers of the Thaksin administration and officials of the Government Lottery Office (GLO) involved in the distribution of the two- and three-digit lottery.

AEC Spokesman Sak Korsanegruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) says the AEC meeting today (July, 3rd) announced to take legal actions against 49 political and state officials who authorized the two- and thee-digit lotteries on ground of exploiting loopholes of laws to benefit themselves. According to Mr Sak, the 49 people infringed the 1959 Act on Punishments for State Officials. The cost of damage of their action is estimated at about 38 billion baht.

In addition, AEC has appointed a subcommittee to scrutinize officials of the Revenue Department and the Ministry of Commerce authoring the share buying of Panthongthae and Pinthongtha Shinawatra made with the Ample Rich Company. The officials include Former Permanent Secretary of Finance Supharat Khawatkul (ศุภรัตน์ ควัฒน์กุล). The spokesman says the share buying caused great damage to the country.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 July 2007

[wolfmanjack]

The Assets Scrutiny Committee yesterday agreed to press malfeasance charges ------------- If found guilty in court, the 32 former cabinet ministers, including Mr Thaksin and 17 GLO executives , could spend life inprisonment.

Why life in prison for this and not other corruption cases ???

[Tony Clifton]

The Assets Scrutiny Committee yesterday agreed to press malfeasance charges ------------- If found guilty in court, the 32 former cabinet ministers, including Mr Thaksin and 17 GLO executives , could spend life inprisonment.

Why life in prison for this and not other corruption cases ???

Nothing wrong with that when you've ganged up, formed a party and pick pocketed every single individual in a country time and time again.

[lazeeboy]

The Assets Scrutiny Committee yesterday agreed to press malfeasance charges ------------- If found guilty in court, the 32 former cabinet ministers, including Mr Thaksin and 17 GLO executives , could spend life inprisonment.

Why life in prison for this and not other corruption cases ???

Nothing wrong with that when you've ganged up, formed a party and pick pocketed every single individual in a country time and time again.

if they spent as much time on the problems in the south as they do trying to get taksin and cronies ,there wouldnt be a problem in the south...

[PeaceBlondie]

The iron hand of the government can grasp and squeeze any criminal on any charges they can find and convict him on. Al Capone went to prison for income tax evasion. Other chief executives such as Arnuldo Aleman of Nicaragua, for theft of national funds.

[Scott]

This continues to be nothing more than a witch hunt. Too many revenge seeking people currently in power and that is resulting in the country being run rather poorly.

[hammered]

This continues to be nothing more than a witch hunt. Too many revenge seeking people currently in power and that is resulting in the country being run rather poorly.

Persoanlly I have no problem with those accused of corruption being taken to court. Then they get the chance to clear their names if they can, and if guilty the country gets the opportunity to see corruption punished for the first time. I dont side with those who argue everyone does it, it will always go on so it is wrong to target this particular group.

[sriracha john]

AEC plans to indict 49 people

All 32 ministers of ousted government summoned to hear charges

Forty-nine ousted Cabinet members and lottery officials have been summoned to hear indictments relating to the July 8, 2003 decision on the sale of illegal two- and three-digit lotteries, graft-buster Udom Fuangfung said yesterday.

They are obliged to report to authorities from July 23. About 10 defendants each day are expected to report to hear the charges.

Udom is the chairman of an investigative panel appointed by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to take charge of the lottery case. His panel has estimated there was Bt37 billion in damages to the state.

Under the graft proceedings, the suspects will be allowed to present rebuttals following the notification of indictments.

If the AEC rules against rebuttals then the cases will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for prosecution in the Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders.

The suspects include all 32 members of the ousted government, including deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Indicted ministers are Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Somkid Jatusripitak, Chaturon Chaisang, Korn Dabbaransi, Purachai Piumsombun, Wissanu Krea-ngam, Thamarak Isarangura, Suchart Jaovisidha, Varathep Ratanakorn, Sontaya Kunplome, Anurak Chureemas, Sora-at Klinpratoom, Newin Chidchob, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Pichet Sathirachawal, Nikorn Jamnong, Prapat Panyachatraksa, Surapong Suebwonglee, Prommin Lertsuridej, Adisai Bhodaramik and Watana Muangsook, Wan Mohammad Noor Matha, Pramuan Ruchanaseree, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Suwat Liptapanlop, Uraiwan Thienthong, Pinij Charusombat, Pongpol Adireksarn, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Pracha Phromnok and Somsak Thepsuthin.

The 17 indicted lottery officials include two incumbent and former Finance Ministry permanent secretaries, Suparat Kawatkul and Somchainuk Engtrakul. The others are Sermsak Pongpanit, Pornchai Nutsuwan, Sutheeporn Duangto, Natawat Intuputi, Chaiwat Pasokpakdi, Kamthorn Tatiyakawee, Surasit Sangkhapong, Chairuek Ditha-amnaj, Wuthipan Wichairat, Sombat Amornwiwat and Satri Pathipasen, Amnuaysak Toonsiri, Issaraphan Snidvong na Ayutthaya, Bantoon Supakwanit and Ornanong Maneekan.

- The Nation

[Tony Clifton]

Remember the Sicilian Maxi-Trials in the 80?

First TRT.

Now, it's ex-ministers.

Edited July 7, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[lazeeboy]

Remember the Sicilian Maxi-Trials in the 80?

First TRT.

Now, it's ex-ministers.

in a couple of years this governments washing will be on these threads for the corruption they got up too