Cabinet Shaken by Shares Scandal

[hammered]

Two more cabinet members resign over shareholdings

Two more cabinet members have resigned from Surayud government over their ethical concerns over shareholdings they held, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Monday.

They were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayudhaya and Deputy Foreign Minister Saowanit Kongsiri.

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) have accused last week five cabinet members of having shares in companies in excess of a five per cent limit imposed on ministers prior to the coup, but which is not a punishable offence under the interim constitution.

Surayud said the three others; Interior Minister Vijit Sri-saarn, Public Health Minister Dr Mongkol na Songkhla and Deputy Finance Minister Phasee, refused to resign, saying that their holding of shares in firms did not violate the laws.

Source: The Nation - 01 October 2007

They are falling like dominos. How long before the other three ahve to go. One wonders if considering the far from stellar performance from the Surayud cabinet if anyone will notice the lack of ministers even if they are not replaced.

From a longer version of the otignal article we now notice that Gen Surayud woul;d rather have kept it all quiet and in the family than have any of this transparency stuff:

The prime minister criticised NCCC of releasing the list to the media without informing the cabinet members. He said he instructed that next time the NCCC should contact each cabinet member it is investigating instead of telling the media.

[cclub75]

They are falling like dominos. How long before the other three ahve to go. One wonders if considering the far from stellar performance from the Surayud cabinet if anyone will notice the lack of ministers even if they are not replaced.

Indeed, it's totally surreal.

At that point, we should change our perspective and ask : which minister doesn't have any shareholdings in companies ?

The Surayud government started under the "old gingers" comedy last year. It is likely to end into a "Benny Hill The Return" comedy...

Poor Thailand.

And it's probably only the begining. More clowns are about to come on the stage (Sonthi with his new uniform of Deputy Prime Minister for instance etc.).

[Jai Dee]

ICT Minister says PM has not announced selection of new Cabinet members

Minister of Information and Communication Technology Sitthichai Pokai-udom (สิทธิชัย โภไคยอุดม) reports that the Prime Minister has not divulged the selection process for replacements for 3 Cabinet members who are resigning.

ICT Minister Sitthichai Pokai-udom recently met with Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont for 5 minutes. Mr. Sitthichai said that Gen. Surayud did not make special announcements nor did he divulge information concerning a possible Cabinet reshuffle to account for the resignation of 3 Cabinet members. Reporters noted that the ICT minister and the Prime Minister were in good spirits.

Other Cabinet members also met personally with the Prime Minister for a brief period of time to discuss current events and their duties.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Two more cabinet members resign over stockholdings

Two more cabinet members have resigned from Surayud government over their ethical concerns over shareholdings they held, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Monday.

They were Natural Resources and Environment Minister Kasem Sanidwong na Ayudhaya and Deputy Foreign Minister Saowanit Kongsiri.

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) have accused last week five cabinet members of having shares in companies in excess of a five per cent limit imposed on ministers prior to the coup, but which is not a punishable offence under the interim constitution.

Surayud said the three others; Interior Minister Vijit Sri-saarn, Public Health Minister Dr Mongkol na Songkhla and Deputy Finance Minister Phasee, refused to resign as they viewed that their holding of shares in the firms did not violate the laws.

The prime minister was speaking after chairing a special cabinet meeting to consider the NCCC's charges over the cabinet members.

In the meeting, he said, he allowed each cabinet member to explain and defend themselves on the NCCC's accusations.

Monday's resignation will make five cabinet positions vacant as three other ministers earlier accused by NCCC on the same charges had already resigned.

"Therefore, I have to reshuffle the cabinet. But I am well aware of the remaining time left beforre the country has the national election scheduled in December 23, I will make a minor reshuffle," he said.

He said he expects to submit list of new cabinet members for the Royal endorsement within this week.

The prime minister criticised NCCC of releasing the list to the media without informing the cabinet members. He said he instructed that next time the NCCC should contact each cabinet member it is investigating instead of telling the media.

Source: The Nation - 01 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Two more ministers resign

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont says there are two more ministers who have confirmed their resignations.

The premier and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Development and Human Security Paiboon Wattanasiritham (ไพบูลย์ วัฒนศิริธรรม) earlier held a news conference to announce the resignation of two more ministers. They are Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Kasem Sanitvongse Na Ayudhaya (เกษม สนิทวงศ์ ณ อยุธยา) and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sawanit Kongsiri (สวนิต คงสิริ).

Both Mr Kasem and Mr Sawanit say they decided to quit as they feel partly responsible in causing disturbance to the government. There are three more ministers whom the National Counter Corruption Commission quotec to have exceed the 5 percent share cap. They are Minister of Education Wichit Srisa-arn (วิจิตร ศรีสอ้าน), Deputy Minister of Finance Sommai Phasee (สมหมาย ภาษี), and Public Health Minister Md.Mongkol Na Songkhla (มงคล ณ สงขลา).

As for the Cabinet reshuffle, the premier says he will find temporary replacements for the time being.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Thai PM set to announce cabinet reshuffle

Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont announced Monday that he will reshuffle his Cabinet later this week after five ministers tendered their resignations due to the controversial issue of excessive shareholdings in private companies, as disclosed by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

Prime Minister Surayud said in a Monday morning press conference that two more cabinet members – Deputy Foreign Minister Sawanit Kongsiri and Natural Resource and Environment Minister Kasem Sanitwong Na Ayutthaya resigned Monday.

The list naming the new members will be presented to His Majesty the King this week for royal endorsement, Gen. Surayud said.

Earlier three ministers – Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya, Information and Communication Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, and Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda – resigned after the NCCC named them for holding in excess of five per cent stakes in private firms, which violates the abolished 1997 Constitution.

The prime minister said he would bring in only a few outsiders to replace the portfolios because his interim government has little time remaining to work with the parliament.

The upcoming general election is scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, three other cabinet members – Education Minister Wichit Srisa-an, Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla and Deputy Finannce Minister Sommai Phasee – presented evidence clarifying their lack of intention to hide any information on their shareholdings.

The trio said they had inquired earlier about the shareholding proportion rule with the Prime Minister's Secretariat and received no notification that they needed to reveal their equity holdings.

The resignation of the two ministers leaves five cabinet positions vacant as three ministers charged earlier by the NCCC on the same charges had already resigned.

Source: TNA - 01 October 2007

[samran]

Interestng article from my favourite economics journalist:

What politicians and economists don't get

Ross Gittins

October 1, 2007

Advertisement

THE trouble with attempts by governments to deal with conflict-of-interest issues in business is that they don't understand the full dimensions of the problem. They think it's just a matter of getting people to behave ethically or, failing that, within the law. It's actually much trickier.

Conflicts of interests abound in business life. You've got doctors who recommend drugs promoted to them by manufacturers, lawyers who recommend legal action

from which they may profit, investment bankers who recommend investments in firms they're courting as potential clients, and consultants paid to produce "independent" reports.

But perhaps the most regularly recurring problem is ensuring the independence of accounting firms from the public companies they audit. Apart from an auditor's desire to retain a company as a client, they often want to sell consulting services to the company. And individuals at all levels in the audit firm may be hoping the client will offer them a job.

Most of the high-profile corporate scandals - Enron, Global Crossing, Worldcom, Tyco and HIH - have seen questions raised about whether auditors were adequately fulfilling their core function as a public watchdog.

Politicians and almost everyone else have seen these accounting scandals as a problem of corruption. That may be part of the story.

But according to a paper by Max Bazerman and Deepak Malhotra, of Harvard Business School, the bigger story is one that most politicians, business people, lawyers and economists don't understand because it's one of psychological bias.

"While a minority of auditors is likely to be corrupt, all auditors are human and therefore subject to psychological bias," they say.

A system in which auditors may have many commercial relationships with their clients creates an environment in which even the most honest auditor is likely to fall prey to the "self-serving bias" that disables him or her from detecting error in a client's accounting methods. Psychological research shows that parties with an interest in viewing data in a certain light simply are not capable of independent and objective judgment.

So the solution to conflict-of-interest problems must go beyond dealing with how people make choices between engaging in sleazy behaviour and the fear of prosecution.

If bias persists even when an auditor does not intend it to affect judgment, then the economists' belief that individuals are always conscious of why they do what they do is brought into question.

The conventional notion, that people are rational, leads to solutions such as imposing penalties on violations of professional standards, requirements to disclose conflicts of interest, and interventions that change the cost/benefit calculation of the person who may be tempted to act dishonestly.

The standard approach is to increase either the penalty for breaking the law or the chance of being caught so that the "expected cost" of dishonesty - the multiple of the two - exceeds the benefit of dishonesty.

But if most of the problem is implicit, with people being out of touch with what guides their own behaviour, these explicit barriers to corruption will have limited impact. Penalties for unethical behaviour are not enough if people do not know they're acting unethically. Rather, Bazerman and Malhotra say, the psychological perspective makes it clear that true independence requires the auditor to have no motivation to please the client.

"This means that auditors audit, and provide no other services. This means that auditors serve for one fixed term, and that the auditing firm cannot be rehired in the future. And it means that auditors, across all levels [of the firm], should not be allowed to take jobs with their client's firm," they say.

Conflict of interest is just one example of what psychologists call "bounded unethical behaviour" - unethical behaviour that occurs without the protagonist being aware the behaviour is unethical.

Various US investment banks have reached settlements with women who accused them of discrimination. But it appears that white male investment bank executives often discriminate against others without being aware of it. One victim said: "They really don't believe they are discriminating … If you come in and you look like they want you to look - probably a white male profile - they'll project success on you."

Research shows that even individuals who hold no explicit hostile attitudes toward women, non-whites or other groups may still hold implicit associations arising from common stereotypes. So holding businesses responsible only for not having the intention to discriminate will be insufficient in stopping discrimination. And since the bias is outside our awareness, most training to act fairly or objectively will have limited impact.

If so, this provides a clear logic for some form of affirmative action to counter the effects of this hidden bias.

A common solution to conflicts of interest is to require that they be publicly disclosed. Economists like such solutions because they involve minimal intervention; politicians and business people find them less inhibiting.

Sorry. Psychological research says disclosure doesn't work. And that is only partly because people are too busy to read those hugely wordy and legalistic disclosure statements that clog our letterboxes.

It is more because humans have a well-documented susceptibility to "bounded awareness" - we tend to focus on certain information and fail to incorporate other information, even when it is relevant and readily available. Is this rational? No - but it's the way humans are. Deal with it.

But get this: research has found that disclosure requirements aren't just ineffective, they can be counterproductive. Why? Because, when experts have been obliged to disclose a conflict of interest to their clients, they then feel less compunction about giving biased advice: I warned you - if you were too dumb to take notice of the warning, that's your lookout.

Would you ask a lawyer about your health problems? Politicians who take their advice on human nature from economists rather than psychologists reveal their own incompetence - or worse.

Ross Gittins is the Herald's Economics Editor.

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/09/30/1191090945022.html

[hammered]

Thai PM set to announce cabinet reshuffle

Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont announced Monday that he will reshuffle his Cabinet later this week after five ministers tendered their resignations due to the controversial issue of excessive shareholdings in private companies, as disclosed by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

Prime Minister Surayud said in a Monday morning press conference that two more cabinet members – Deputy Foreign Minister Sawanit Kongsiri and Natural Resource and Environment Minister Kasem Sanitwong Na Ayutthaya resigned Monday.

The list naming the new members will be presented to His Majesty the King this week for royal endorsement, Gen. Surayud said.

Earlier three ministers – Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya, Information and Communication Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, and Deputy Commerce Minister Oranuj Osathananda – resigned after the NCCC named them for holding in excess of five per cent stakes in private firms, which violates the abolished 1997 Constitution.

The prime minister said he would bring in only a few outsiders to replace the portfolios because his interim government has little time remaining to work with the parliament.

The upcoming general election is scheduled for December.

Meanwhile, three other cabinet members – Education Minister Wichit Srisa-an, Public Health Minister Mongkol Na Songkhla and Deputy Finannce Minister Sommai Phasee – presented evidence clarifying their lack of intention to hide any information on their shareholdings.

The trio said they had inquired earlier about the shareholding proportion rule with the Prime Minister's Secretariat and received no notification that they needed to reveal their equity holdings.

The resignation of the two ministers leaves five cabinet positions vacant as three ministers charged earlier by the NCCC on the same charges had already resigned.

Source: TNA - 01 October 2007

So we have 5 ministries that may be left unfilled or be filled by doubling up. Hmmm that is reassuring considering the far from efficient manner in which existing ministers have handled their current assignment. I am sure that little insignificant ministries like interior can just be left to drift for a few months either unattended or in the hands of someone doubling up as PM or whatever. It is not like the country needs direction or anything. Everything is well rosy right now. Then we find out the governemnt is stuffed with people ethically if not legally in breach of shareholding rules when they were meant to be cleaning things up and investigating a previous goverment accused of ethical and legal abuses. The rate things are going we will eithetr have no governemtn left by the end of the week or one not just seen as ancient and ineffective but also ethically bankrupt. No wonder the fleet footed instant decision making PM would rather have had the NCCC tell the ministers instead of the media.

[Jai Dee]

Education Minister says he is willing to resign if proven guilty

Minister of Education Wichit Srisa-arn (วิจิตร ศรีสอ้าน) says he is willing to resign from the Cabinet and go through legislative process if the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is able to prove that his post as a committee member of a private university is illegal. He adds that he will accept the premier’s decision to dismiss him.

Mr Wichit says that he has assured the premier that he is willing to cooperate with the NCCC which had earlier announced that Mr Wichit might violate Article 100 (4) of the NCCC law. Mr Wichit affirms he resigned from all posts in private companies since October 8th this year.

The minister says he has not relinquish his Cabinet post as the NCCC has not yet filed lawsuit against him.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 October 2007

[Jai Dee]

Public Health Minister clarifies his 5% stock ownership

The Public Health Minister, Dr. Mongkol Na Songkhla (มงคล ณ สงขลา), insists that he will not resign following the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC)'s indication that he owns more than five percent of shares in a private company.

According to the NCCC, Dr. Mongkol invested 10 million baht in a company situated in China three years ago, and he is owning 10 percent of shares. In response to the allegation, Dr. Mongkol says he did not know that Cabinet members cannot own more than five percent of shares in a private company prior to his decision to take the minister's post.

The Public Health Minister says he had explained the matter to the Prime Minister, Gen. Surayud Chulanont. Furthermore, Dr. Mongkol says he refuses to resign and would remain in the post until the government’s tenure is completed. He also affirms that there is no conflict of interest.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 01 October 2007

[Plus]

These people have been building their businesses all their lives.

It would have been impossible to find anyone who'd sell all his life's work in exchange for one year stint in the government.

The current domino effect is probably a way out for people who got fed up with "governing", or an orchestrated campaign to bring down the government, or perhaps it aimed only at one minister first, but got out of control.

Surayud really needs to put his foot down and replace the ministers with people he select himself. We don't need "Saprang's proxies".

[John K]

All the recycled politicians more than likely exceed the 5% max. in their portfolio. This is the perfect opportunity to get some fresh faces into politics and office as they probably don’t have that big of a portfolio yet.

[TAWP]

"Wanted: Poor politician with no previous ties to anyone and no wish to become rich."

[samran]

These people have been building their businesses all their lives.

It would have been impossible to find anyone who'd sell all his life's work in exchange for one year stint in the government.

The current domino effect is probably a way out for people who got fed up with "governing", or an orchestrated campaign to bring down the government, or perhaps it aimed only at one minister first, but got out of control.

Surayud really needs to put his foot down and replace the ministers with people he select himself. We don't need "Saprang's proxies".

I think as this drags on it becomes clearer that this is not possible.

Dare I say it there is not even a common sense clause being instituted here - shares in a hotel enterprise that never got off the ground being used as evidence? Many of the people targeted now aren't by any means hugely rich - eg. career civil servants - who have legit enterprises on the side to supplement their income by making investements, some public, some private.

As someone else said, you aren't going to find qualified people for these posts who aren't in some way made a buck somewhere or other.

[Jai Dee]

Foreign Affairs Minister to discuss resignation of his deputy with PM

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Nitya Pibulsonggram (นิตย์ พิบูลสงคราม), says he will discuss the resignation of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sawanit Kongsiri (สวนิต คงสิริ), with the Prime Minister, Gen. Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์), before taking further actions.

Mr. Nitya says he needs to discuss Mr. Sawanit's resignation with Gen. Surayud as he is the head of the interim government. He says although the general election is scheduled to be held on December 23rd this year, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is still reponsible for coordinating with the international community and the ministry's workload is considerably heavy, if he is to take on the tasks alone.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nitya says he would consider the people close to him to replace Mr. Sawanit. He says the selected person must know the tasks and be able to work as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately. However, the Minister says he will talk about this issue with Prime Minister Surayud before disclosing who will be Mr. Sawanit's successor.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 October 2007

[Old Man River]

These people have been building their businesses all their lives.

It would have been impossible to find anyone who'd sell all his life's work in exchange for one year stint in the government.

The current domino effect is probably a way out for people who got fed up with "governing", or an orchestrated campaign to bring down the government, or perhaps it aimed only at one minister first, but got out of control.

Surayud really needs to put his foot down and replace the ministers with people he select himself. We don't need "Saprang's proxies".

I think as this drags on it becomes clearer that this is not possible.

Dare I say it there is not even a common sense clause being instituted here - shares in a hotel enterprise that never got off the ground being used as evidence? Many of the people targeted now aren't by any means hugely rich - eg. career civil servants - who have legit enterprises on the side to supplement their income by making investements, some public, some private.

As someone else said, you aren't going to find qualified people for these posts who aren't in some way made a buck somewhere or other.

General Sondhi has already acknowledged that there are those in the NLA who are trying to topple the government. However, I doubt the catalyst behind this would have ever thought that his plans would turn out this effective. It is becoming a feeding frenzy.

[Jai Dee]

Thirapat denies being behind resignations

Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan denied having plotted the resignation of five ministers in the interim government because of his close tie with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Mr Thirapat reiterated that he stands on the same side of those who do right things, and that is not restricted to the PAD.

"Media analysed this themselves," he said.

More from the Bangkok Post here.

[John K]

Government spokesman resigns

(BangkokPost.com) - Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp decided to step down from the post on shareholding controversy.

Mr Yongyuth said he had informed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on the resignation on Monday, and it will take effect on Wednesday.

More http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=122250

[John K]

Thaksin must be grumbling away. With every resignation he looks more and more wrong. Add to that he tried to conceal it and he will have a hard time convincing anyone he was right or just a simple mistake.

[cclub75]

Government spokesman resigns

He's the 6th casualties (after the resignation of 5 ministers)...

Where is the Prime Minister ? Since his trip to New York (UN meeting) he seems to be totally... frozen...

Furthermore, there is still no official explanation about the NCCC's campaign.

Why do they disclose those informations... almost one year after the government nomination ?

Furthermore, I would like to remind you that all the ministers listed their assets last november.

It was even published by the press. Here is an article of Nation, published on december 2 2006.

So ? It's surreal. It's the twilight zone.

"The NCCC released the assets statements submitted by Cabinet members, their spouses and minor children. The political office-holders are required to declare their assets and liabilities within 30 days of assuming office.

Banyat's wife Wanna has a net worth of Bt16 million, helping her husband to maintain a suitable decorum for his office.

Pridiyathorn's wife Prapha-phan has Bt258 million in her name, and their daughter Pudjeep has Bt7 million, making the combined net worth of the Devakula family able to just scrape into the billionaire club.

Prime Minister Surayud is worth Bt25 million while his wife Khunying Chitrawadee has Bt65 million.

Surayud has divided his assets between Bt7 million in saving accounts and Bt18 million in nine plots located in Lop Buri, Si Sa Ket, Bangkok and Samut Prakan.

Information and Commu-nication Technology Minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom has a net worth of Bt318 million, including his collection of 320 guns. His wife Pornpan has Bt814 million in assets, including 31 plots of land.

Sitthichai yesterday said he had begun collecting guns more than 10 years ago. They were all bought in Thailand, and all of them are legally registered, he said. Many of them are rare items with delicate carvings.

His father and father-in-law are military officers, the ICT minister said."

To be continued.

Edited October 2, 2007 by cclub75

[womble]

I should imagine he is grumbling more because with every resignation the election becomes less and less likely which means he will be unable to make a comeback anytime soon. It's quite obvious that the next election will result in a win for Thaksin through his proxies, the NLA an see that, that is what this is about, delaying the election.

The future looks bleak...........

[Old Man River]

Thaksin must be grumbling away. With every resignation he looks more and more wrong. Add to that he tried to conceal it and he will have a hard time convincing anyone he was right or just a simple mistake.

As I and others have written before (in TV and elsewhere), the fear is that many upcountry will view the lack of prosecution of these ministers as proving that Thaksin should also not be prosecuted for his ownerships (the exact opposite of what you state). The main differences now are that these ministers declared their ownerships right up front while Thaksin hid his, and also the 2007 Constitution does not allow any members of the interim government to be punished for violation of share ownerships restrictions as set forth in the Graft Law of 2000. Other than this, the situations will look very similar to many.

[Old Man River]

I should imagine he is grumbling more because with every resignation the election becomes less and less likely which means he will be unable to make a comeback anytime soon. It's quite obvious that the next election will result in a win for Thaksin through his proxies, the NLA an see that, that is what this is about, delaying the election.

The future looks bleak...........

I strongly believe that if Thaksin's proxies win the next election any gains they make will be overturned for being in violation of the election ban of the 111. I believe this just as I thought very early on that the TRT would be disbanded for exactly the same reasons. Thaksin and/or his proxies are not going to be allowed back in power during the next election, which will happen soon. Any delays will be short.

[Jai Dee]

Surayud set to take over interior role

Plans to oversee December election as army chief Sonthi slides into position as deputy prime minister

Prime Minister Sura-yud Chulanont will double as interior minister and oversee the general election, he said.

"I plan to do that and I intend to do my best,'' he said.

He has reshuffled his Cabinet and submitted the new line up for royal approval, which is expected today.

His Majesty the King yesterday endorsed the appointment of General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the former Army commander-in-chief and chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), as a deputy prime minister.

Surayud's revelation ended speculation Sonthi would be appointed interior minister. The powerful ministry is in charge of general elections.

The prime minister appeared on national television yesterday to assure the public he would continue to lead the country until the election and would maintain the country's economic, political and social progress.

The television address came as pressure on Surayud to resign was stepped up. The calls for him to quit were sparked by the shareholding controversy involving some of his ministers. Five Cabinet members resigned as a result.

Surayud submitted Sonthi's appointment to His Majesty on Sunday following Sonthi's retirement at Army chief.

Surayud on Monday spoke with Deputy Interior Minister Banyat Jansena.

Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham said Surayud yesterday called on Cabinet members to unite and continue working for the sake of the country. Tasks before them include mass-transport legislation headed for the National Legislative Assembly.

A source said Surayud told members at today's meeting to take care with their public statements, show solidarity and ensure the executives steers the country to a successful general election.

The source said all eyes turned to Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan, who recently called on ministers implicated in shareholding allegations to step down,

Meanwhile, Sonthi denied he stepped aside as CNS chief and accepted a deputy prime ministers' post because he intended to enter politics at the next poll.

He said the new Constitution removed all powers of the CNS chief and had been exercising power through the Internal Security Operations Command and as Army commander-in-chief since it took effect.

"Once I stepped down as Army chief, the CNS position did not have any significance or meaning,'' he said.

He denied his becoming a deputy prime minister was an attempt to cling to power. He said it was "well intentioned".

"The public should know the difference between clinging to power and good intentions, otherwise the country will not have peace,'' he said.

When asked his response to those who want him out of politics, he asked who these people were and added: "You have to look at the majority. Do not think of sentiment,'' he said.

He said he did not know the legality surrounding the succession of leadership should Surayud resign.

When Surayud met with the five resigning ministers on Monday he asked them for their continued help. Former Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya offered to assist his replacement.

Sonthi said he would fight drug traders because they could destabilise the general election by supporting some political groups.

Source: The Nation - 03 October 2007

[cclub75]

The Public Health Minister, Dr. Mongkol Na Songkhla (มงคล ณ สงขลา), insists that he will not resign following the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC)'s indication that he owns more than five percent of shares in a private company.

According to the NCCC, Dr. Mongkol invested 10 million baht in a company situated in China three years ago, and he is owning 10 percent of shares. In response to the allegation, Dr. Mongkol says he did not know that Cabinet members cannot own more than five percent of shares in a private company prior to his decision to take the minister's post.

Too bad for him... It seems that he has declared "only".... 4 millions !

Read the assets reports here (Nation 2 december 2006).

Quote : "Public Health Minister Mongkol na Songkhla is worth Bt4 million. He is separated from his wife Boonpano."

So... 10 millions ? Or 4 ? His or his wife's ? Or is it 4, and the 10 millions in shares were... totally forgotten ?

Edited October 3, 2007 by cclub75

[Jai Dee]

NCCC : not necessary to inform government concerning stock holdings of officials

National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) spokesman Klanarong Chantik (กล้านรงค์ จันทิก) stated that the NCCC’s announcement of ministers with stock holdings exceeding 5 percent was the commission's duty and it did not have to confer with the government. He said that if the commission is worried about political implications it would be not be able to fulfill its duty and may end up engaging in prosecutable activities.

Mr. Klanarong also stated that the Prime Minister’s request to be directly informed of or have the NCCC inform ministers of probes into stock holdings would not affect the commission's work.

The NCCC spokesman affirmed that the commission's work is in line with the law and that it had only previously revealed 3 ministers while the remaining two ministers were revealed by the media.

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

[womble]

I should imagine he is grumbling more because with every resignation the election becomes less and less likely which means he will be unable to make a comeback anytime soon. It's quite obvious that the next election will result in a win for Thaksin through his proxies, the NLA an see that, that is what this is about, delaying the election.

The future looks bleak...........

I strongly believe that if Thaksin's proxies win the next election any gains they make will be overturned for being in violation of the election ban of the 111. I believe this just as I thought very early on that the TRT would be disbanded for exactly the same reasons. Thaksin and/or his proxies are not going to be allowed back in power during the next election, which will happen soon. Any delays will be short.

I agree although if any proxy win is overturned it would leave us with another mess and an even shitier economy..............

[Old Man River]

I should imagine he is grumbling more because with every resignation the election becomes less and less likely which means he will be unable to make a comeback anytime soon. It's quite obvious that the next election will result in a win for Thaksin through his proxies, the NLA an see that, that is what this is about, delaying the election.

The future looks bleak...........

I strongly believe that if Thaksin's proxies win the next election any gains they make will be overturned for being in violation of the election ban of the 111. I believe this just as I thought very early on that the TRT would be disbanded for exactly the same reasons. Thaksin and/or his proxies are not going to be allowed back in power during the next election, which will happen soon. Any delays will be short.

I agree although if any proxy win is overturned it would leave us with another mess and an even shitier economy..............

Well, there are only two alternatives as far as I can see. Three if nobody cares about Thaksin returning, but since those with power do care, that leaves two alternatives. Either they delay the election indefinitely with Sonthi taking the PM's role as suggested in this morning's The Nation, or they disqualify any winners from the PPP for being involved with the old TRT and hand the election over to the other parties based on votes received. I hope the latter is true since the current government has not shown any idea whatsoever as to what it takes to run an economy (other than running it into the ground).

[chao]

'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'

Dark forces gathering to take the realm of the PM and dethrone him

Edited October 4, 2007 by chao

[Jai Dee]

New Cabinet to take oath today

Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont is preparing to lead new members of the cabinet to swear their oaths to Their Royal Majesties the King and Queen later today. The group of new cabinet members will be brought to the Government house to meet the prime minister by Thai Maolid Chariman Kareem Abdullah (การีม อับดุลเลาะห์).

The Prime Minister will also deliver a speech to the Thai-Muslim community in respect of the Ramadan period currently taking place.

General Surayud also revealed he will officially take on his duty as interior minister on Monday.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 October 2007