Thai PM Faces Legal Scrutiny Over Delayed Divestment of Golf Club Shares

[webfact]

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under legal scrutiny after political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filed a petition with the Election Commission (EC), questioning her delayed divestment of shares in Alpine Golf and Sports Club.

 

Ruangkrai alleges that Paetongtarn held a 30% stake in the club until September 3, two weeks after assuming office as prime minister.

 

Thai law prohibits ministers from holding more than 5% of shares in any company to prevent conflicts of interest. Paetongtarn, also leader of the Pheu Thai Party, transferred her shares to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, after taking office.

 

Ruangkrai urged the EC to expedite the investigation and announced plans to file a similar complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

 

This petition is one of 13 filed so far against Paetongtarn and the Pheu Thai Party, six of which were initiated by Ruangkrai, all alleging corruption or ethical violations.

Land Controversy

Alpine Golf and Sports Club, linked to the Shinawatra family, has been embroiled in a long-standing controversy over its land holdings in Pathum Thani province. The land, initially donated to a temple in 1971, was later sold to Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club under questionable circumstances. The Council of State ruled the sale illegal, as the land was classified as monastic property.

 

In 2017, former Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in facilitating the sale. His appeal was unsuccessful, and although he was released in 2020 on health grounds, he was required to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet until the completion of his sentence, reported Bangkok Post.

 

Ruangkrai’s latest petition adds further legal pressure on Paetongtarn, as demands for a thorough investigation continue to rise.

 

FILE photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-10-02

 

[Gottfrid]

51 minutes ago, webfact said:

rime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under legal scrutiny after political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filed a petition with the Election Commission (EC), questioning her delayed divestment of shares in Alpine Golf and Sports Club.

Even if the whole election from start to know has been a total joke, it really looks like Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, has to get a new hobby. The guy is totally sucked in and hooked on Paetongtarn. I believe she did what she should, and a couple of days should not need to be talked about. It´s better this guy put all his time to deal with Taksin and fake hospital and such things, instead of making a fool of himself.

[watchcat]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

also leader of the Pheu Thai Party, transferred her shares to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, after taking office.

 

So did Mr Pita, but to his father didn't help much.

[edwinchester]

5 minutes ago, watchcat said:

 

So did Mr Pita, but to his father didn't help much.

All share transfers are equal but some are more equal than others.

[watchcat]

BTW, speaking about her mother I haven't heard anything after she fled with an aircrat filled with suitcases, and what a bout PM's husband, haven't heard much about him either?

 

[webfact]

Paetongtarn’s anti-graft lawsuit over 30% stake rocks government
by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

 

Photo courtesy of The Nation

In a fresh scandal targeting Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, political firebrand Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), accusing her of violating anti-graft laws by holding a significant company stake post-election.

 

Ruangkrai claimed that Paetongtarn retained a 30% stake in Alpine Golf and Sports Club after being appointed PM in August.

 

According to Ruangkrai, the premier transferred the shares to her mother, Khunying Pojaman Damapong, on September 3 but only registered the transfer a day later. He argues this is a direct breach of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Act, which prohibits Cabinet members from holding more than 5% of shares in any company.

Despite suggestions of a 15-day grace period, Ruangkrai was adamant.

“The law is clear. No allowances are made for a transitional period.”

 

The complaint also digs deeper, linking Paetongtarn’s involvement with Alpine Golf and Sports Club to an earlier controversy. The Supreme Administrative Court previously ruled that the temple land on which the club is built was unlawfully sold to the company. This, according to Ruangkrai, adds to the ethical concerns surrounding the premier’s conduct.

 

Ruangkrai, a Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) member, has become known for his high-profile petitions and legal manoeuvres. While critics see his actions as part of a proxy war between PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwan and the ruling Pheu Thai Party, the accusations have sparked widespread political debate.

 

Adding fuel to the fire, Ruangkrai had earlier filed another complaint, claiming the 38 year old Thai premier violated the Constitution by making a mini heart gesture while wearing her government uniform, reported The Nation.

ORIGINAL STORY: Activist questions Paetongtarn’s resignation from family firms

 

Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has pressed the Election Commission (EC) to investigate whether Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra properly resigned from executive positions in 20 family-owned companies before her election.

 

Ruangkrai questioned if Paetongtarn adhered to the Department of Business Development’s procedures when stepping down from roles in firms associated with her family.

 

Failure to resign appropriately would violate Section 187 of the constitution, which prohibits ministers from holding over 5% of shares in a commercial firm or being employed by a private company.

 

Ruangkrai also examined Deputy Interior Minister Sabida Thaised’s resignation from her executive post and shareholdings in a private firm following her appointment. He noted that Sabida, daughter of former Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised, appeared to have complied with the stipulated procedures, raising further questions about Paetongtarn’s case.

 

Ruangkrai emphasised he was merely exercising his rights under Sections 41 and 50 of the constitution and respected the decisions made by independent public agencies.

 

Last month, Ruangkrai petitioned the poll agency to investigate the prime minister’s status, questioning the date of the 38 year old PM’s resignation from the family companies.

 

Paetongtarn was elected prime minister by the House of Representatives on August 16, succeeding Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed from office by the Constitutional Court.

In his petition, Ruangkrai asked the EC whether Paetongtarn had resigned from all executive roles in the family’s companies by August 15, and why those resignations were registered on August 19, three days post-election.

 

Ruangkrai claimed Paetongtarn authorised a close aide to handle the resignation documents on August 15, just a day after the Constitutional Court dismissed Srettha from office. The documents were submitted to the Department of Business Development on August 19, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“Paetongtarn gave her aide the authority to do this just one day after the Constitutional Court ruled to dismiss Srettha from office.”

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-10-02

 

 

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

political firebrand Ruangkrai Leekitwattana

Can he just disappear!

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

instead of making a fool of himself.

It's what he does best.

[jippytum]

The original owner the land donated it to the temple.  There are reports the land should not have been sold to make a golf course. 

Not the first time Thaksin linked to shady land deals. 

[john donson]

nice deals, those elite, free land, gifted, make it an exclusive golf course... kachien $$$...  so when will a new PM be announced?   her cousin? uncle? aunt ? maid?

[Gottfrid]

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

It's what he does best.

Ok, I am truly sorry for suggesting to take away his profession 😉 

[spidermike007]

They booted out Pita for alot less, and he was duly elected, not appointed. Lock her up. 

[khaowong1]

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, does this guy have nothing better to do?  If I was the PM, I would probably have him whacked.  Just saying.  

[Will B Good]

Just now, khaowong1 said:

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, does this guy have nothing better to do?  If I was the PM, I would probably have him whacked.  Just saying.  

 

 

 

I think it’s likely he is just a front man.

 

 

 

[scorecard]

13 hours ago, khaowong1 said:

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, does this guy have nothing better to do?  If I was the PM, I would probably have him whacked.  Just saying.  

 

He's trying to keep them honest. Ultimately A worthy activity. 

[CallumWK]

On 10/2/2024 at 7:49 AM, Gottfrid said:

The guy is totally sucked in and hooked on Paetongtarn. I believe she did what she should, and a couple of days should not need to be talked about.

 

Even a few hours late, because he was stuck in traffic, got Thanathorn banned. So why should this Thaksin puppet be let off the hook>

[Gottfrid]

17 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

Even a few hours late, because he was stuck in traffic, got Thanathorn banned. So why should this Thaksin puppet be let off the hook>

No, of course nobody should be let off the hook. But this man is a serial petitioner. That Thanatorn was banned, is also something that shouldn´t have been happening. To continue with this nit picking witch hunt is very silly, though. What they need is to look on the big picture. I am pretty sure they can find something more relevant to focus on that can be used to remove unwanted persons.

What is needed is to let a couple of days or a week late be, and let the ones in charge now, do their thing, see the result and let the voters choice remain to form government next time, without any other parties trying to derail the democratic order.

[scorecard]

4 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

No, of course nobody should be let off the hook. But this man is a serial petitioner. That Thanatorn was banned, is also something that shouldn´t have been happening. To continue with this nit picking witch hunt is very silly, though. What they need is to look on the big picture. I am pretty sure they can find something more relevant to focus on that can be used to remove unwanted persons.

What is needed is to let a couple of days or a week late be, and let the ones in charge now, do their thing, see the result and let the voters choice remain to form government next time, without any other parties trying to derail the democratic order.

Yeah, make it a rule that a couple of weeks late is OK, then after 12 months add another '2 weeks late after the first 2 weeks late is OK (total 4 weeks).

 

But if that happens there's thousands of items with deadline dates, they should all get a 2 weeks late is OK allowance. 

[Gottfrid]

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

Yeah, make it a rule that a couple of weeks late is OK, then after 12 months add another '2 weeks late after the first 2 weeks late is OK (total 4 weeks).

 

But if that happens there's thousands of items with deadline dates, they should all get a 2 weeks late is OK allowance. 

No, maybe not, but the circus has to stop.