Thaksin And 30 Members Of His Cabinet Indicted

[sriracha john]

The Thaksin apologists are going overboard on this one. It's not breaking the law, it's a "procedural mistake.".... It's not lying to conceal hidden assets, it's an "honest mistake." As long as "some of the money" reaches the Treasury, isn't that good enough?...

Nobody denies the law appears to have been broken.It's about context and proportionality, concepts which with respect some people have some difficulty grasping in their almost pathological hatred of Thaksin.You haven't any evidence of corruption in this case but if and when you do please let us know.If this is unearthed I will be the first to accept the position.Actually Plus has set out the facts rather well although I disagree with his emphasis.I suggest you consider adopting a similar measured approach.

In you ever-present, over-personalizations it's not ME that has the evidence; it's the Supreme Court... and it seems they have 40 large boxes of it to review.

I'm saying let's wait and see what is revealed... whereas you are implying the evidence is non-existent or trivialize it without ever having seen it.

I haven't convicted him... but you've already found him not guilty.

Also, perhaps if you could forego the non-qualified, mud-slinging terminology for once, it wouldn't sound so flame-ish.

[younghusband]

The Thaksin apologists are going overboard on this one. It's not breaking the law, it's a "procedural mistake.".... It's not lying to conceal hidden assets, it's an "honest mistake." As long as "some of the money" reaches the Treasury, isn't that good enough?...

Nobody denies the law appears to have been broken.It's about context and proportionality, concepts which with respect some people have some difficulty grasping in their almost pathological hatred of Thaksin.You haven't any evidence of corruption in this case but if and when you do please let us know.If this is unearthed I will be the first to accept the position.Actually Plus has set out the facts rather well although I disagree with his emphasis.I suggest you consider adopting a similar measured approach.

In you ever-present, over-personalizations it's not ME that has the evidence; it's the Supreme Court... and it seems they have 40 large boxes of it to review.

I'm saying let's wait and see what is revealed... whereas you are implying the evidence is non-existent or trivialize it without ever having seen it.

I haven't convicted him... but you've already found him not guilty.

Also, perhaps if you could forego the non-qualified, mud-slinging terminology for once, it wouldn't sound so flame-ish.

I wondered whether you would accuse me of flaming.....yet again when you're on the back foot.Please desist old fruit, as Bertie Wooster might say.

If evidence of corruption does emerge you'll no doubt let us know.

[samran]

I wondered whether you would accuse me of flaming.....yet again when you're on the back foot.Please desist old fruit, as Bertie Wooster might say.

If evidence of corruption does emerge you'll no doubt let us know.

maybe I am too much of a cynic, but you are placing too much faith in there not being a back room deal done. It is par for the course in Thai politics. Either that, or we get the 'oh it was an honest mistake...boo hoo....' and then all is forgiven given that he was such a decent fella to begin with.

I mean, it has been interesting to watch the civil service and media go into Kent Brockman mode since PPP was elected and Dear Leader was returned "I for one welcome our new ant overlords" (Apologies for the Simpsons quotation). Then all of a sudden, witnesses forget, or their stories change. Or they get transferred.

[sriracha john]

The Thaksin apologists are going overboard on this one. It's not breaking the law, it's a "procedural mistake.".... It's not lying to conceal hidden assets, it's an "honest mistake." As long as "some of the money" reaches the Treasury, isn't that good enough?...

Nobody denies the law appears to have been broken.It's about context and proportionality, concepts which with respect some people have some difficulty grasping in their almost pathological hatred of Thaksin.You haven't any evidence of corruption in this case but if and when you do please let us know.If this is unearthed I will be the first to accept the position.Actually Plus has set out the facts rather well although I disagree with his emphasis.I suggest you consider adopting a similar measured approach.

In you ever-present, over-personalizations it's not ME that has the evidence; it's the Supreme Court... and it seems they have 40 large boxes of it to review.

I'm saying let's wait and see what is revealed... whereas you are implying the evidence is non-existent or trivialize it without ever having seen it.

I haven't convicted him... but you've already found him not guilty.

Also, perhaps if you could forego the non-qualified, mud-slinging terminology for once, it wouldn't sound so flame-ish.

I wondered whether you would accuse me of flaming.....yet again when you're on the back foot.Please desist old fruit, as Bertie Wooster might say.

If evidence of corruption does emerge you'll no doubt let us know.

The inaccurate, inappropriate, and indiscriminate usage of derogatory references ad infinitum

obsessives left logic and reason behind a long time ago.

the ravings of the paranoid anti-Thaksinites

pathological

is flame-ish and mud-slinging... and totally unnecessary...

and after all this time and warnings, you still haven't learned that.

but rather than digress into your normal off-topic trail of back and forth posting, I'll stop and add some on-topic news updates to this news clipping thread before the derailing of it goes further...

Ministers may be suspended if court accepts lottery case

The three cabinet ministers implicated in alleged irregularities in the two- and three-digit lottery scheme may be suspended from their duties if the Supreme Court accepts the case for consideration. The financial damage caused by the alleged irregularities in the lottery scheme is said to have amounted to 36.9 Billion Baht. Article 55 of the Anti-Corruption law stipulates that when the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) decides that allegations against political office holders have grounds, the accused must stop carrying out their duties until the Supreme Court issues a verdict.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Mar2008_news03.php

Edited March 11, 2008 by sriracha john

[gjones]

Thaksin to lecture abroad after tomorrow's court hearing

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is expected to travel abroad to give lectures at foreign universities following his first court appearance Wednesday, his spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana said on Tuesday.

"I believe the first country on the Thaksin's speaking engagements is Japan where he would lecture for 90 minutes at Takushoku University," Pongthep said.

Thaksin said on Monday that he already applied for the court's permission to leave the country for three weeks.

He also stated he would devote his attention to charity work after he was elected chairman of ThaiCom Foundation, a charity for education sponsored by the Shinawatra family.

"Don't try to think for me because in my mind, I am fed up with politics and want to work for charities," he said.

The Supreme Court is to rule on the matter following the tomorrow's hearing in which Thaksin would enter a plea on graft charges relating to the Ratchadapisek land case.

The Nation

He also stated he would devote his attention to charity work after he was elected chairman of ThaiCom Foundation, a charity for education sponsored by the Shinawatra family.

ther must be a lot of money to be made in charity, I wonder what his expenses will be

life is a lottery in Mr T's case there is only one winner

[sriracha john]

The New Cabinet discusses The Old Cabinet...

Cabinet Meeting to Address Charges on 2 & 3 Digit Lottery

The Cabinet meeting today focuses on several controversial issues including the effect the filing of charges on the two and three digit lottery case could have on the status of three current Cabinet ministers.

Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej presided over the weekly Cabinet meeting today.

Several issues are expected to be discussed including the continual rise in the costs of living. Special attention will be given to the escalating prices of pork. Pig farmers across the nation are refusing to cooperate with the government’s plea for them to cap prices for a short period of time. *"subsidize us like you subsidize fuel"*

Cabinet will also discuss the effect the charges filed by the Assets Examination Committee could have on the status of three current Cabinet ministers.

The AEC filed charges against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 46 defendants over the government’s introduction of the two and three digit lotteries.

Cabinet is concerned about the effect the filing of charges could have on the status of the ministers. These individuals include Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas.

Arguments have been put forward, citing the anti-graft law, that the three Cabinet members must suspend their duties while standing trial relating to their involvement in the government's decision to introduce the two and three digit lottery in 2003.

Prime Minister Office Minister Chusak Sirinil *the "other" PM's Office Minister and not the more infamous Jakropob* says he does not believe the three ministers have any direct involvement with the ‘illegal’ introduction of the two and three digit lottery. He says the ministers were merely participating in the Cabinet meeting which issued the resolution on the issue. Chusak also stresses the case has nothing to do with the minsiters’ current responsibilities and is calling the every party involved to treat the ministers fairly.

The Thaksin government introduced the new lottery in 2003. It was hoped the legalized two and three digit lottery could help eliminate underground lottery operations and related crimes.

Investigators concluded that the Cabinet resolution to legalize the lottery scheme violated the Government Lottery Office Act.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

Finance Minister ready to step down if order comes from Supreme Court

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Surapong Suebwonglee commented on the 2-3 digit lottery case which has cited him as a defendant to go on trial.

The case was forwarded by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to the Supreme Court yesterday, and names 47 people in various parts of the government and related agencies to the lottery, charging that the government system was created to divert funds.

Surapong stated that he would meet with law specialists to gain more knowledge on the case against him but affirmed that if ordered by the Supreme Court, he would relinquish all his titles and cease work in the government.

The Finance Minister expressed his confidence that if he were to leave his post, his Deputy Ministers would be capable of filling in his duties. *Nurses often fill-in temporarily for doctors.* He said that a planned road show to Japan would, for the time being, remain as scheduled.

- ThaiNews

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

Deputy PM, Finance Minister, Labor Minister, Deputy Transport Minister... and now, maybe Prime Minister in the near future?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1865746

Talk about a Cabinet reshuffle...

[sriracha john]

PM blamed for letting trio stay in the cabinet

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej must bear responsibility for not heeding the Assets Examination Committee's (AEC) recommendation that the three Cabinet members who face a lawsuit be suspended from duty, panel member Udom Fuangfung said yesterday.

Samak insisted his ministers should keep their jobs while awaiting possible trial in the lottery graft case, arguing that the three are not in a position to tamper with the judicial process.

The Supreme Court has until May 14 to decide whether to proceed with the case submitted by the AEC.

"The intent of the law does not cover ministers who had already left the job linked to their involvement in the case," he said, refusing to enforce a provision prescribing the suspension of duty for defendants tried for graft violations.

The AEC is suing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 46 members of his Cabinet for abuse-of-power and graft violations in their decision to introduce the two- and three-digit lotteries in 2003.

Among the former government ministers cited in the lawsuit are three members of the current Cabinet - Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas.

Udom said the AEC had pointed out relevant provisions as to why the three ministers must be suspended from duty, and the consequences of not complying with the law. He warned of problems if the government failed to take a proper ethical stance on the issue.

Samak argued that the introduction of the two- and three-digit lotteries happened in 2003, and the reappointment of the three ministers in his government had no bearing on the case.

"There are three cases against high-power officials, but they had left the positions which they held before the charges were levelled against them. They have not been suspended from duty,'' he said.

Samak refused to say whether the government would request a Constitution Court ruling, saying officials were discussing the legal aspects. He admitted that legal specialists were divided over whether the three ministers should be suspended.

He said he expected to know what the next step would be before May 14 - when the Supreme Court must decide whether to accept the AEC case - adding that it was too soon to consider a Cabinet reshuffle in light of the issue facing the three ministers.

Khunying Pornthip Jala, secretary-general of the Council of State - the government's legal advisory agency - said the Cabinet had not yet sought legal recommendations from the council in regard to the three ministers. She said it was, however, ready to examine the issue.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Finance Minister Warns Other Accused Ministers to Keep Quiet

As the Bangkok Governor’s announced his decision to suspend his duties after being charged by the AEC, *see related thread*, all eyes are on the three ministers accused in another case also filed by the AEC.

One of the implicated ministers, Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee advises his colleagues to refrain from commenting on the case.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said in a recent Cabinet meeting that all three ministers implicated by the Asset Examination Committee in the 2 and 3 digit lottery case should stop giving interviews on the matter.

He says that everything should be done according to the law and that the court will decide whether or not to pursue the case on May 14th. Until then, Surapong suggests that his fellow ministers conduct business as usual.

Surapong says that a previously scheduled roadshow by the Finance Minister later this month will go on as scheduled.

He will also continue to oversee the Government Lottery Office and will push forward with the 2 and 3 digit lotteries despite the AEC’s claims that the lottery is not legal and proceeds from sales were used illegally.

- Thailand Outlook

Edited March 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[BigSnake]

Stay tune folks more to come

[sriracha john]

Panel of 9 judges selected to rule on lottery case

Nine Supreme Court judges have been selected to hear and rule in the case against ex-PM Thaksin and 46 other government officials involved in the two- and three-digit lottery scheme in 2003. Among those accused in the mismanagement of the lottery scheme are the present Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemart. The court has until May 14 to decide whether to proceed with the case. The selected judges are:

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126484

[sriracha john]

Judge Rungroj to preside over the lottery case

Judge Rungroj Ruenroengwong would preside over the graft trial on the lottery case involving 47 defendants, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, court spokesman Rakkiart Wattanapong said on Tuesday.

Chosen by his peers of the nine-judge bench, Rungroj is to supervise the trial proceedings at the Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders, a fast-track review on graft cases.

The Assets Examination Committee has accused Thaksin of abuse of power relating to the introduction of two and three-digit lotteries in 2003.

With Rungroj as presiding judge, the high court has scheduled May 14 to rule whether the case merits the judicial review.

- The Nation (today)

[sriracha john]

Supreme Court Forwards Lottery Case to Constitution Court

All eyes are on the Supreme Court’s Division for Political Officer Holders today as a verdict was expected on whether or not the 2 and 3 digit lottery case would be accepted for deliberation.

However, in a surprise move, the court ordered the case to be brought forth, instead, to the Constitution Court for a decision on whether the extension of the AEC’s term is in violation of the 2007 charter.

The Assets Examination Committee or AEC alleges that 47 individuals, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and several of his former ministers violated the law by making the underground 2 and 3 digit lottery legal.

The case was filed with the Supreme Court’s Division for Political Officer Holders. The defense, however, pleaded with the court claiming that the establishment of the AEC and its subsequent term extension is in violation of the Constitution. The Supreme Court believes the argument has merit and has, therefore, forwarded the case to the Constitution Court. According to the decision, after the Constitution Court rules on the issue, the Supreme Court will then make a decision whether to accept the case.

After hearing the court’s decision, Nakorn Chompuchart, the AEC’s lawyer, said that this is an important development and that the AEC will take this factor into consideration in its other cases as well.

The 2 and 3 digit lottery case is considered by many to be one of the Assets Examination Committee’s most prominent cases. If found guilty, the defendants would not only face jail term, but also be held liable for as much as 14 billion baht.

Among the 47 defendants are three individuals currently serving in the Samak administration. They include Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[Plus]

Supreme Court is trying to cover all the bases and establish a precendent for all the other cases where defence argues legality of AEC.

[sriracha john]

Ruling expected on Monday on 2- and 3-digit lottery case

The Constitution Court on Monday will begin a hearing on two issues based on whether the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has the authority to rule on graft cases involving ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The long-running case concerns the Thaksin government's handling of the two- and three-digit lotteries.

Thaksin's defence team has put forward two arguments on charter provisions - one on the mandate of the AEC and another on its term of duty - to the Supreme Court to reject the authority of the investigative panel. The Supreme Court decided to halt the trial and asked the Constitution Court to rule on the issue.

- The Nation

Edited June 29, 2008 by sriracha john

[plachon]

Ruling expected on Monday on 2- and 3-digit lottery case

The Constitution Court on Monday will begin a hearing on two issues based on whether the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) has the authority to rule on graft cases involving ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. The long-running case concerns the Thaksin government's handling of the two- and three-digit lotteries.

Thaksin's defence team has put forward two arguments on charter provisions - one on the mandate of the AEC and another on its term of duty - to the Supreme Court to reject the authority of the investigative panel. The Supreme Court decided to halt the trial and asked the Constitution Court to rule on the issue.

- The Nation

Guess we'll find out tomorrow if the Court considers it "a very minor matter", as YH does. Presumably a judgement will be a long time in the making?

[Old Man River]

Well, 40 billion baht in revenues is a not a small sum for any business. Some parts of it was spent on off-books political campaigning, some was spent on scholarships for politically connected individuals.

Then that is what they have to prove. If monetary damages cannot be proven, then it becomes nothing more than a procedural error and this type of error, while still potentially a crime, will not change the minds of those who continue to vote for Thaksin et. al.

[Plus]

By now it's clear that nothing will change the minds who continue to vote for Thaksin, it has become a matter of personal pride, they would never admit there were wrong.

[mijan24]

I wondered whether you would accuse me of flaming.....yet again when you're on the back foot.Please desist old fruit, as Bertie Wooster might say.

If evidence of corruption does emerge you'll no doubt let us know.

maybe I am too much of a cynic, but you are placing too much faith in there not being a back room deal done. It is par for the course in Thai politics. Either that, or we get the 'oh it was an honest mistake...boo hoo....' and then all is forgiven given that he was such a decent fella to begin with.

I mean, it has been interesting to watch the civil service and media go into Kent Brockman mode since PPP was elected and Dear Leader was returned "I for one welcome our new ant overlords" (Apologies for the Simpsons quotation). Then all of a sudden, witnesses forget, or their stories change. Or they get transferred.

samran so true and one of the saddest things is it is costing a "H#LL" of a lot of time and money which I am sure could be put to better use elsewhere.

When you talk of backroom deal " it is probably" the answer and lets get on with life - For the pundits please oh please don't be so naieve as to think that back in what some term the civilised world "backroom" deal aren't the order of the day. (Qld Aust Fraud Squad are divided into 0 > 500000 & 500001 > with a good deal of time and resources put into getting hold of the crooks and only a very very minor % ever reach court - ( trade offs, plea bargains, info sharing bigger fish to fry etc)Mijan24's believe it not.

Edited June 30, 2008 by mijan24

[hammered]

Interesting to see Gen. Sonthi pictured with Thaksins cousin at the wedding of Sonthi's son. And then same hotel and I guess different day Samak meets Thaksin in public for the first time at Sanan's daughter's wedding.

Be interesting to be a fly on the wall at those events. And congratulations to the happy couple(s), I assume they werent marrying each other;)

Nothing like a happy wedding to bring people back together

[Old Man River]

By now it's clear that nothing will change the minds who continue to vote for Thaksin, it has become a matter of personal pride, they would never admit there were wrong.

No concern on their admitting they were wrong, but rather looking to the next vote so they vote differently.

[steveromagnino]

By now it's clear that nothing will change the minds who continue to vote for Thaksin, it has become a matter of personal pride, they would never admit there were wrong.

No concern on their admitting they were wrong, but rather looking to the next vote so they vote differently.

They have voted for the same regional factions for the last 30+ years, no reason to change now e.g. Chidchob clan in Buriram.

Only difference is Thaksin altered faction negotiating power to keep more skim for himself; but the uneducated villagers in Buriram still worship Newin et al and so on outside the city, and the city itself dislike the idiot.

Best hope is that the faction system suffer a loss of a few of their own and simultaneously a non Democrat statesman rises up to form a rural farmer party. And also that suddenly the rural poor in NE/N get a bit of education.

How likely do you think this is??!

Ah well, can always hope. Running the country into the ground is one way to show how bad this mob are.....

[hammered]

By now it's clear that nothing will change the minds who continue to vote for Thaksin, it has become a matter of personal pride, they would never admit there were wrong.

No concern on their admitting they were wrong, but rather looking to the next vote so they vote differently.

They have voted for the same regional factions for the last 30+ years, no reason to change now e.g. Chidchob clan in Buriram.

Only difference is Thaksin altered faction negotiating power to keep more skim for himself; but the uneducated villagers in Buriram still worship Newin et al and so on outside the city, and the city itself dislike the idiot.

Best hope is that the faction system suffer a loss of a few of their own and simultaneously a non Democrat statesman rises up to form a rural farmer party. And also that suddenly the rural poor in NE/N get a bit of education.

How likely do you think this is??!

Ah well, can always hope. Running the country into the ground is one way to show how bad this mob are.....

They will never be allowed to have education by those they vote for as that is the biggest challenge to the hegemony of those feudal masters. That is the irony in that only those they dont vote for, those they think do nothing for them will ever give their kids increased educational opportunity. It is certainly in the Dems interest to give education to those that dont vote for them unlike the Chidchobistas etc.

[steveromagnino]

They will never be allowed to have education by those they vote for as that is the biggest challenge to the hegemony of those feudal masters. That is the irony in that only those they dont vote for, those they think do nothing for them will ever give their kids increased educational opportunity. It is certainly in the Dems interest to give education to those that dont vote for them unlike the Chidchobistas etc.

I don't think the reasoning ever extends this far; more along the lines of give me the education budget so I can use it to pay off my mates; the bad education for rural Thailand is more a by product than an end play.

Only exception in the last few years would be the ruthlessness of TRT in trying to destatablise the deep south as punishment for voting Democrat.

It is therefore somewhat amusing to see Shinwatra and Srivikorn schools and universities ;-)

[sriracha john]

With the PM himself and a slew of other Cabinet ministers embroiled in criminal litigation cases of one sort or another, this comes as par for the course.

Three ministers involved in the lottery case may carry on

The government will treat the graft litigation on the lottery case involving three Cabinet members as individual affairs and the respective ministers will decide on whether to keep their job, PM's Office Minister Choosak Sirinin said on Tuesday.

"The issue relating to the fate of the three ministers will come up if the Supreme Court accepts to launch the judicial review on the lottery case," he said.

The job status of the three ministers will be subjected to legal interpretation as the alleged wrongdoing happened before the government came into power, he said.

The three Cabinet members are Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

No support for accused

Government to keep its distance from 3 officials

The government will treat graft litigation in the lottery case, involving three Cabinet Ministers, as individual affairs, and the ministers involved will decide for themselves whether to keep their jobs, PM's Office Minister Choosak Sirinin said yesterday.

"Issues related to the fate of the three ministers will come up if the Supreme Court decides to launch a judicial review of the lottery case," he said.

The job status of the three ministers will also be subject to legal interpretation, because the alleged wrongdoing occurred before the government came into power, he said.

The three are Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong and Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemas.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban said he believed the coalition parties had been unable to pressure Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej into reshuffling the Cabinet. He said Samak might make a decision to reshuffle too late for public expectation and sentiment.

"The coalition parties cannot bring changes. The Cabinet reshuffle will depend on [ousted prime minister] Thaksin, because he is the real party-owner," Suthep said.

Referring to pressure for the removal of Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama over the Preah Vihear Temple issue, Suthep said Samak had to think hard, because although Noppadon had made a mistake, he had a Cabinet resolution backing him.

He warned that the government had to withdraw from the Preah Vihear matter, because the public would not allow it to continue, and the Administrative Court had also ruled against it.

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said Samak could not avoid the public call for a Cabinet reshuffle, because coalition parties and factions within the People Power Party were also demanding change, and failure to heed the call would set a time bomb ticking for the government.

"The longer Samak waits, the more the bomb is ready to explode," he said.

- The Nation

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

please don't use that word, Ong-art, otherwise Thaksin will tally another assassination attempt...

[sriracha john]

Just handing out huge amounts of taxpayers' money willy nilly to cronies and family... that's The Thaksin Way...

former Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn

Digit lottery inquiry

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday set up a subcommittee to investigate former Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn for allegedly misusing profits from the digit lottery sales. NCCC member Klanarong Chantik will lead the sub-panel. Varathep was accused of asking a ministry panel overseeing charity projects under the Government Lottery Office, to issue a 30 Million Baht cheque to the Association of the Constitution for People, whose activities have nothing to do with charity, when he was Deputy Finance Minister. The case was transferred to the NCCC from the Assets Scrutiny Committee whose

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/020708_News/02Jul2008_news99.php

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

Nothing on google or yahoo about this "charity" ....

[plachon]

Just handing out huge amounts of taxpayers' money willy nilly to cronies and family... that's The Thaksin Way...

former Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn

Digit lottery inquiry

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday set up a subcommittee to investigate former Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn for allegedly misusing profits from the digit lottery sales. NCCC member Klanarong Chantik will lead the sub-panel. Varathep was accused of asking a ministry panel overseeing charity projects under the Government Lottery Office, to issue a 30 Million Baht cheque to the Association of the Constitution for People, whose activities have nothing to do with charity, when he was Deputy Finance Minister. The case was transferred to the NCCC from the Assets Scrutiny Committee whose

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/020708_News/02Jul2008_news99.php

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

Nothing on google or yahoo about this "charity" ....

Maybe this is one of those mysterious "charities" Toxin is devoting himself to, now he's quit politics.

Just an honest "proceedural mistake" as YH would say, if it turns out not to exist, so "mai pen rai".

[mijan24]

'steveromagnino' date='2008-06-30 11:40:15' post='2061258']

Old Man River' post='2061245' date='2008-06-30 17:28:00']

By now it's clear that nothing will change the minds who continue to vote for Thaksin, it has become a matter of personal pride, they would never admit there were wrong.

Only difference is Thaksin altered faction negotiating power to keep more skim for himself; but the uneducated villagers in Buriram still worship Newin et al and so on outside the city, and the city itself dislike the idiot.

Ah well, can always hope. Running the country into the ground is one way to show how bad this mob are.....

Unfortunately people wont learn & once they are indoctrinated into the way of thinking that the "Power Brokers" want the shutters come down - Eg. Robert "M" in "Z" is a classic case.

Edited July 2, 2008 by mijan24

[Old Man River]

Unfortunately people wont learn & once they are indoctrinated into the way of thinking that the "Power Brokers" want the shutters come down - Eg. Robert "M" in "Z" is a classic case.

I completely agree with both you and Steveromagnino, but I don't think anyone should role up the tents and give up either. As long as there is one opposition party, there is a chance that the good guys (relatively good guys) can get voted in. Certainly, they picked up votes in the last election.