New Cabinet Appointed

[sriracha john]

perhaps Jakob is next on the hit parade...

Senators to Seek Removal of Jakrapob for Interference with MCOT

A group of Upper House members may be seeking the removal of the PM’s Office Minister, who they claimed has been meddling with the work of MCOT Public Company and other permanent officials.

Senator Kamnoon Sitthisamarn said that recent comments by PM’s Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair on the performance of MCOT President Wasan Paileeklee appears like an attempt to interfere with the work of the Channel 9 broadcaster and to pressure for Wasan’s resignation.

Jakrapob said on Wednesday that he would establish a committee to evaluate the MCOT President's performance.

Kamnoon said that senators or MPs who are not content with Jakrapob’s action may consider petitioning the Constitution Court to remove him from office.

Kamnoon went on to say that it remains to be seen if the PM’s Office Minister is also trying to illegitimately intervene with the work of the Public Relations Department after he announced a plan to reorganize its radio frequency management.

Meanwhile, Senator Prasarn Maruekapitak said that a number of the Upper Chamber members are discussing the collection of names to petition for the removal of Jakrapob.

Prasarn added that Jakrapob’s active performance in the state media affairs could backfire and lead to his demise as the public is questioning whether they are acts of interference.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[sriracha john]

Minister of Social Development and Human Security Sutha Chansaeng

Thai Cabinet Minister dared: Prove degree is real

BANGKOK -- Bloggers in Thailand remain unconvinced of the authenticity of an academic degree that a Thai Cabinet minister supposedly obtained from a little-known college in the Philippines.

Trying to beat a Thai newspaper report that he only finished secondary school, Sutha Chansaeng, the Thai Minister of Social Development and Human Security, claimed to have a bachelor’s degree in commerce from the Republican College in Quezon City.

Besides the Thai constitutional requirement that Cabinet members must possess at least a bachelor’s degree, the issue became controversial for Chansaeng, 48, because he had never before claimed to having possessed the degree in official documents.

It has also since been discovered that Chansaeng was issued a passport for the first time only in 1994, a decade after he was supposed to have graduated from the Republican College.

*the sprawling campus of the prestigious and exclusive university*

The Republican College has confirmed to the Inquirer that Chansaeng indeed graduated from the school in 1984 and that his records included a Special Order and Certificate of Authentication and Verification issued by the Commission on Higher Education to graduates of any course.

Numerous blogs in Thailand have come out with photos of Chansaeng’s records from the college, including his transcript of records and recommendation for graduation, which one blogger said were shown to him by a staff member at the registrar’s office of Republican College.

*according to these "documents", he did attend several years and not just the 1 year I suggested earlier*

The blog www.oknation.net/blog/thaibaan, posted by a Thai with the pen name “siewthaibaan,” pointed out that the word “Republican” had been misspelled and appeared as “Rupublucan” in the transcript.

The blogger also asked why the date on the recommendation for graduation submitted to the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) was dated Jan. 10, 2008, when Changsaeng was supposed to have graduated 24 years before.

The Thai media have challenged the minister to produce solid proof, such as a diploma or pictures showing him while attending college, or even to name some of his more prominent Filipino classmates to end the controversy.

*seems reasonable and fair...or perhaps even just a few words of Tagalog?*

According to Thai newspaper reports, Chansaeng has not issued any new statement regarding his educational background since his arrival recently from a foreign trip.

However, the Thai Embassy in Manila, in a statement sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer Friday, said that Chansaeng’s representatives have presented official documents to support claim to having obtained academic credentials in the Philippines.

According to the statement, based on the documents, Chansaeng was admitted to Republican College in June 1980, with entry credentials from the Assumption Thonburi School and Janpradit Tharamwithyakon, two educational institutions in Thailand.

He graduated with a bachelor of science degree in commerce, major in management in March 1984.

The statement said this was supported by an official transcript of records and diploma issued by the college and covered by Special Order 50-340113-0012 Series 2008, issued by CHEd.

Another document was a certification issued by the CHEd’s National Capital Region office, through Gretchen G. Cordero, education supervisor II, saying that Republican College was a duly recognized private higher educational institution in the Philippines with official campus address at 4-43 18th Avenue, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines.

The document also stated that the entries appearing in the transcript of records and diploma were authentic copies and the signatures were those of the college president and other school authorities.

These documents -- the transcript and diploma as well as the signatures of the college officials -- were issued an authentication certificate (SN 07-236019) by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, dated Jan. 17, 2008, the Thai Embassy statement said.

Chansaeng has explained that he could not make a claim about his degree from the Philippines earlier because the college had not yet been certified by the Philippine Civil Service Commission at the time he graduated.

In his campaign flyers when he ran for the Bangkok City council in 1985, Chansaeng stated his maximum education qualification as Grade 12, although in last year’s general elections, one flyer listed an “Advanced Diploma and Certificate in Logistics and Transport” among his qualifications.

Chansaeng, a first-time minister, has been a politician for more than 20 years, according to a Thai newspaper report. He was a two-time city councilor and was elected member of parliament four times since 1992. Between 2002 and 2004, he was an executive of the defunct Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He is currently an executive member of the ruling People Power Party, which is thought to be a proxy group for the TRT.

- Philippine Daily Inquirer / 3-29-08

[Plus]

It appears that in 1984 the "Rupublican" college wasn't certified neither by Thai nor by Philippino authorities anyway. How can anyone claim it's a legitimate degree, even if the paperwork is kosher?

[sriracha john]

Now that they have the taxpayer-financed television channel, no need to financially suport another one privately...

PTV folds due to lack of funds

Chairman of the Puen Pong Nong Pe Company Veera Musikpong stated through the companies self-titled television show broadcasted on satellite channel PTV, that the station would have to be taken off the air due to lack of funds. The show officially went off the air at 5 PM yesterday.

Veera assured that the companies 120 employees would receive their legal compensation for termination. He also said that the company, which operates PTV, will continue onward with other projects.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister and PTV founder [and criminal litigant] Jakrapob Penkae answered media questions that the possibility of PTV personnel moving to Channel 11 was an option as it would be their right. He said that PTV had originally been a testing ground for new ideas, while saying that he would not be able to attend its final airing as he was attending to business at Suvarnabhumi Airport. *he had to go and greet his returning overlord Thaksin there*

- ThaiNews / 3-30-08

[Tony Clifton]

Everything to piss off the wrong people again and they just don't care.

[sriracha john]

SEC hurting its own credibility

That the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will not prosecute a key member of the government for breach of the law following his disclosure of privileged information about a listed company, simply shows how inefficient and outdated the organisation has become in dealing with such issues. The SEC, which is supposed to act as the watchdog for investors in the local equity markets, decided that since PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair was not an executive or director of the listed company involved, he was not guilty of any wrongdoing in giving out sensitive information about the MCOT, spooking investors who had a stake in the state-owned enterprise which is listed on the stock exchange. SEC Secretary-General Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala said Jakrapob's comments about MCOT did not constitute a breach of any laws. Jakrapob found himself in hot water last week after revealing that the MCOT had, excluding income from concessions, incurred an operational loss of 27 million baht for the month of January. This led to calls for an investigation into leakage of insider information. The same Thirachai also defended the share sale by ousted PM Thaksin's family to Temasek. This bending-with-the-wind standpoint of the SEC could end up jeopardising the SEC's own credibility in the long run, which of course would be unacceptable. Even leaving aside the issue of the SEC being pro-government (for whatever reason: perhaps its chief may aspire to be named Governor of the central bank?) the public disclosure by any minister, of private and privileged information regarding a listed firm at least warrants a stern warning from the SEC. And this warning should be made publicly, so that other ministers in cabinet and bureaucrats at the various ministries can be left in no doubt whatsoever that such disclosures are, at the very least, unethical if not illegal.

In terms of market capitalisation, Thailand's stock market is dominated by state-owned enterprises and such leakages of information by those governing the country constitute a blatant disregard for the country's laws and regulations; worse still, it undermines the confidence of investors with regard to the country's corporate governance and rules of compliance.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/01Apr2008_news18.php

[sriracha john]

Interior Minister accepts criticisms from PPP spokesman

The Interior Minister, Pol. Capt. Chalerm Yubamrung, says he accepts People Power Party spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang's criticisms of Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak’s and his roles with the media.

Pol. Capt. Chalerm considers the spokesman’s comments to be constructive, and it would be better for him to be warned by the people inside his party rather than by others.

He says he is ready to listen to the criticisms as they are concerned for him, and he does not consider this issue as rifts within the party.

- ThaiNews (today)

[Old Man River]

SEC hurting its own credibility

That the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will not prosecute a key member of the government for breach of the law following his disclosure of privileged information about a listed company, simply shows how inefficient and outdated the organisation has become in dealing with such issues. The SEC, which is supposed to act as the watchdog for investors in the local equity markets, decided that since PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair was not an executive or director of the listed company involved, he was not guilty of any wrongdoing in giving out sensitive information about the MCOT, spooking investors who had a stake in the state-owned enterprise which is listed on the stock exchange.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/01Apr2008_news18.php

This is more about one guy seeking his next career move than about the SEC being inefficient and outdated.

[sriracha john]

Now here's a big bundle of cash from the doctor...

Thailand approves almost 400 Billion Baht loans for farmers

BANGKOK - Thailand approved a 399.6-Billion Baht loan scheme for farmers, in the government's latest effort to shore up the economy, the Finance Minister said.

The project's centerpiece is a 325-Billion Baht loan scheme for farmers to start growing crops like palm oil and cassava, which would be used to make biofuels, Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee told reporters.

Despite the ambitious scope of the biofuels project, Surapong gave few details on how it would work. *hey... c'mon now... there's no need...it's only money...and only 400 Billion*

Thailand has actively encouraged motorists to begin using ethanol-blended fuels to lower its hefty oil import bill.

Other major parts of the scheme include a 40-Billion Baht loan package to help village-based businesses, nearly 18 Billion Baht to finance a debt moratorium for small farmers and a 10-Billion Baht loan programme for the poor.

The loan package was announced less than one month after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's newly elected government approved a 40-Billion Baht package of tax cuts and other measures to shore up the economy.

Many of the programmes approved Tuesday were modelled on projects begun under former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but suspended following the 2006 coup against him.

- AFP / 4-1-08

Edited April 1, 2008 by sriracha john

[Plus]

Hold on, SJ, is it April's Fool joke - 400 billion to grow biofuel crops? You got me for a moment.

[sriracha john]

Sorry, George has cornered the market on News Clipping April Fools jokes...

unfortunately, it's all too real... or unreal.... or surreal...

[nomoretalksin]

Regarding: Jakaprob Penkair

Title: Two Outlines By Mr. Jakrapob Penkair

This is just to funny or scary!

1) Read 1st this scary news today:

(In my opinion 90% the reason - during the TRT media dictatorship - why the democrats never were able to beat Talksin and co

in any election) - they continue with the same talctics now, but even with bolder excuses: "cannot find free airtime for Abhisit to host a programme"!!

The Nation - 02 April 2008

*******************

Quote

Jakrapob criticised for refusing Opposition leader air time

The Democrat Party on Wednesday attacked PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair for his disapproval to allow air time for Opposition Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to operate a programe like "Talk Samak Style.''

Democraty Party deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha dismissed Jakrapob's claim that Abhist was in different status from Samak as unreasonable ground.

He said Jakrapob's disapproval to allow the Opposition equal opportunity to the media was a discrimination.

Jakrapob said in a television interview that Channel 11 cannot find free airtime for Abhisit to host a programme like "Talk Samak Style" of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Unquote

***********************

compare now!

2) now while googling up his name, guess what????

Jakaprob used to critize even his salary-men Khun Talksin about 6 Years ago (this was

just short before Talksin gave him a job as gov-spokesmen!)

Read this! I couldn't believe my eyes! :

Hurricane Twisters : Talksin & Jakkrapob Penkair & co

********

Quote

Media and Transformative Leadership:

Current Practices, Experiences, Insights

A Case of Thai Journalist

An Outline By Mr. Jakrapob Penkair

Vice President, The Thai Broadcast Journalists Association

CEO & President, Malagan, Co., Ltd. (Media Production House)

Media and Transformative Leadership

- Transformative leadership in any society, for me, is not only increasingly visible, but inevitable. It is actually the maturing of a society, in which new tools of technology assist and push for the transformation of the mindset.

- My stance as a journalist and, hopefully, a citizen is therefore not how to build it, but rather how to cope with and nurture it.

- Before discussing the issue of transformative leadership, let me tell you, how, in broadest term, we categorize the media.

1. Reflective media: Those in this category report reality (or what they believe to be). They do not try to seek truth, sometimes to the degree of indifferent observers. War reporters, nightlife investigators are of some good examples.

2. Interpretative media: Those in this category try to establish truth, turning them into engaged observers. Sometimes the society at large suffer from their “wag the dog” behavior, reports that go beyond the pace of the society itself. Investigative reporters/journalists, talk-show hosts, analysts are examples.

- The line between two categories can be blurry at times. CNN, a United States of America news agency, and BBC, that of Britain, during the Year 2001 attacks on Afghanistan, for instance. CNN stops acting as a news agency but more like a cheerleader for the losses of its nation. BBC, more of less, stays the same way. In this case, BBC chooses to “reflect” on what happens while CNN changes its role into an interpreter of what happens. Immensely different.

- But we need both kinds of media in the process of transformative leadership and take them further. In order to strike a balance, we have to help develop the third party: the critical audience. Education is of supreme importance at this point. Moreover, the first two categories need to be enhanced and improved.

- Thus, when we desire to bring the media along in the concept, we have to know what kind of media we are dealing with.

Distortion

- There are 2 evils of media manipulation:

1. Political Control

2. Commercial Control

- My humble experiences have indicated that while both manipulations are destructive to a society. The Commercial Control seems worse. Political Control always encourages

competing forces, since power is opted for struggling. But Commercial power aims for zero-sum game, or profit maximizing, resulting in less competition. The worst-case scenario of the Commercial Control is the so-called “cross media ownership”.

- In Thailand, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra masters both politics and media commercial market. He is combining the two powers into one. A real risky time for Thai media.

- Everyone in the society should pay close attention to the issue. Without press freedom, we will be in serious lacking of tool to the transformative leadership.

- The point of decision is: whether media is only a bridge for us or media is a part the content in what we call transformative leadership.

Suggestions

1. We must involve media in the first place. Some wait to engage the media only for public communication purposes, i.e. press conference, etc. That is not an effective idea. We cannot expect the press to absorb and understand complex issues at the very end of the process.

2. Those in the media must stop looking at issues with the mainstream VS. discourse frame of mind. We have to try to blend them into one same list of issues. We must treat emerging issues as the same and judge on their merit.

3. Media works on transformative leadership must be popular. They cannot afford to be obscure. People must desire to receive and take in. Dramatic means of popular medium should be applied. But you do not have to lower your values to do that. Sometimes, the combination between education and entertainment helps. “Edutainment” can be an effective solution.

4. Journalists themselves must be lifelong learners of social issues. They must be able to make a distinction between information and knowledge.

5. Stereotyping of women in Thailand’s media is a problem. I have had an experience trying to prepare a young women into an effective news reporter, only to lose her beauty and elegance to entertainment world, due to the channels’ executive decision. Transformative leadership will be rough if women are constantly stopped at the door. It is madness if a woman need to look pretty and appealing before a chance is given to her in order to help out with the transformative leadership. That must be changed.

November 8, 2001

Jakrapob Penkair: 96 Soi Phatthakan 44, Phatthanakan Road, Suan Luang,

Bangkok, Thailand 10250

Tel. (66-2) 720-4705-6 Fax. (66-2) 321-0731

UNQUOTE

**************

How quickly one man can get's screwed and twisted up after just 6 years??!!

This just shows me again how much these guys twist for any power they can grab..

shame on people like those!

Edited April 2, 2008 by nomoretalksin

[sriracha john]

The Public Health Minister is in more hot water.... it's not a life-threatening situation, but it is a ...

Wife-threatening situation

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab, already the subject of a recall petition by activists, may lose his ministerial post if his wife decides not to give up her shares in a company which exceeds the legal limit of 5%. NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said on Saturday that Churai Sasomsab, the minister's wife, holds 25,000 shares, worth 2.5 Million Baht, in a firm. The amount accounts for half of the firm's registered stock and she failed to inform the NCCC by the March 6 deadline. Chaiya sent a note to the NCCC on April 2, saying he understood that the 5% limit applies only to himself, not his wife. In Chaiya's case, the minister may be disqualified for failing to observe Article 269 of the constitution, which stipulates that a minister, his spouse and children under the legal age who intend to hold stock should inform the NCCC within 30 days of the minister's appointment to the cabinet. Then that person is required to transfer the excess shares to a legal entity. As a result, Chaiya was obliged to submit a report to the NCCC chairman on March 6 as he took office on Feb 6. In his letter to the NCCC, the minister said the delayed notification was caused by a misunderstanding that the legal limit does not apply to his family members, said Klanarong.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=126948

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

He doesn't read so well.....

[sriracha john]

Deja vu case of Thaksin's "honest mistake"... it was someone else's fault...

Chaiya refuses to resign

Public Heath Minister Chaiya Sasomsab says he will not resign from his portfolio over his failure to properly declare his wife's shareholding in a company before the 30-day assets deadline. He said it was all due to a misunderstanding, and blamed the heavy workload at the ministry for the oversight. "When I assumed the job as a minister, I was so busy that I had no time to look into the issue myself," he said. He had hired a consultant company to handle the assets declaration, which is examined by the NCCC. He later found some mistakes and rushed to inform the NCCC. "If I had intended to hide the asset, I would not have sent a letter to the NCCC," Chaiya said. He sent a letter to the anti-graft agency on April 2, nearly a month after the March 6 deadline. His wife Churai has 25,000 shares, worth 2.5 million baht, in the company, which is half of the total share issue. This is in excess of the 5% legal limit. Article 269 of the constitution stipulates that a minister, his or her spouse, and children under legal age who intend to hold stock should inform the NCCC within 30 days of the minister's appointment to the cabinet. That person is required to transfer the excess shares to a legal holding entity.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/07Apr2008_news11.php

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

Better to throw the Article 269 log onto the bonfire of constitutional amendments that impede the new government's quest for riches....

Edited April 7, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Deja vu case of Thaksin's "honest mistake"... it was someone else's fault...

Chaiya refuses to resign

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/07Apr2008_news11.php

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

Better to throw the Article 269 log onto the bonfire of constitutional amendments that impede the new government's quest for riches....

Apparently I'm not alone....

Public Health Minister Chaiya under pressure

Democrats pledge probe as target claims he made an honest mistake

Pressure was mounting on Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap yesterday, with suspicions that his wife is exceeding the legal shareholding limit of 5 per cent.

The Democrat Party has threatened to dig into the matter to determine if the anti-graft law has been violated. Meanwhile, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is also likely to look into the matter.

Chaiya failed to report the financial statement for his wife Jurai when he filed a report on his assets and debts with the NCCC, a legal requirement for any Cabinet member.

He cited an honest mistake, saying that he did not intend to conceal his wife's financial assets. Jurai reportedly has a 50 per-cent shareholding in a private company.

Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said the party would investigate the allegation that Chaiya's wife exceeded the shareholding limit. He said the party, the sole parliamentary opposition to the government, would try to determine whether Chaiya really committed an unintentional error, as he has claimed. Ong-art added that there was a legal deadline for Cabinet members to submit their financial reports.

By the deadline, ministers are required to submit all the required documents, he said.

Meanwhile, NCCC member Klanarong Chantik said the anti-graft agency might discuss the matter at its meeting today. He said Chaiya could argue that the NCCC manual does not clearly state that a Cabinet member's spouse is required to file his or her financial report, but he should also have consulted the Constitution.

Deputy government spokesman Nattawut Saikua said the ruling People Power Party's legal team would try to find a solution for Chaiya. *perhaps Nattawut could organize another riot involving hundreds of injuries in hopes of finding a solution*

Nattawut said he did not think the PPP-led coalition would be affected by the legal trouble. He said Chaiya merely filed a delayed financial report for his wife and that he had no intention of violating the anti-graft law.

- The Nation (today)

[sriracha john]

Congratulations to Chaiya... he's the first of the New Cabinet to be shit-canned....

BREAKING NEWS: Health Minister Could be Dismissed from Post

The National Counter Corruption Commission has ruled to disqualify Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap from his post.

The NCCC says Chaiya violated Article 269 of the Constitution prohibiting Cabinet members and their spouses to own more than five per cent of equity stakes in any company. He failed to notify the NCCC about his wife's shares exceeding the equity cap although he later filed additional statement after the declaration deadline.

The NCCC will now forward the case to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders'. If found guilty, Chaiya will be forced to vacate his post.

We'll have more details for you in our 3pm broadcast.

- Thailand Outlook

Edited April 8, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

BREAKING NEWS: NCCC disqualifies Health Minister from office

National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) resolved Tuesday to disqualify Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab from his position after his wife failed to inform the NCCC that she owns more than 5 per cent of shares in a public company by the deadline.

NCCC will inform Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of its decision so the process to remove Mr Chaiya from the cabinet can be made according to the law.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126980

[sriracha john]

Counter-Corruption Agency disqualifies Health Minister

The National Counter Corruption Commission on Tuesday ruled to disqualify Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap from his office due to his failure to meet the 30-day deadline for asset declaration.

The NCCC found Chaiya to have violated Article 269 of the Constitution prohibiting Cabinet members and their spouses to own more than five per cent of equity stakes in any companies.

Chaiya failed to notify the NCCC about his wife's shares exceeding the equity cap although he later filed additional statement after the expiry of the deadline.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair said the government remained stable inspite of the controversy involving Chaiya.

"The independent organisation does its job in pointing out the shortcoming - this is a good system of checks and balances essential for a democracy," he said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Health minister ousted

The NCCC said it would order the government to dismiss Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab because his wife missed the deadline to report her shareholdings. Chaiya, already under the cloud of a recall petition by activists, will lose his post instead because his wife Churai failed to inform the NCCC by the reporting deadline that she owns more than 5 per cent of shares in a public company. NCCC will inform PM Samak of its decision so the process to remove Chaiya from the cabinet can be made according to the law.The NCCC ruled on Tuesday that the fact that his wife owns more than 5 per cent of the stake makes him guilty according to the constitution, and the only possible action is dismissal from office. Article 269 stipulates that a minister, his spouse and children under the legal age who intend to hold stock should inform the NCCC within 30 days of the minister's appointment to the cabinet. As a result, Chaiya was obliged to submit a report to the NCCC chairman on March 6 as he took office on Feb 6.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=126983

[sriracha john]

Cabinet reshuffle to happen after Chaiya's departure: Samak

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday conceded that he would reshuffle his Cabinet after Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap left office for violating the asset declaration rules.

Samak said he would wait for the National Counter Corruption Commission to formally notify him about Chaiya's disqualification before deciding on the new lineup.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

NCCC tells Chaiya he can't stay in office

The nine-member National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday decided Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap should be disqualified from holding office for violating a 5 per cent cap on equity stakes.

The unanimous NCCC ruling is binding, but it has no mandate to actually remove Chaiya, NCCC member and spokesman Klanarong Chantik said. That rests with the prime minister, the Election Commission, the House or the Senate.

"Under the NCCC ruling, Chaiya is disqualified to serve as per Article 182 of the Constitution and now it is up to the prime minister or one of three agencies to enforce his removal," Klanarong said.

Had Chaiya been involved in asset concealment as defined by the anti-graft law, the NCCC would be empowered to remove him by petitioning the Supreme Court, he said.

Chaiya was accused of violating Article 269 of the Constitution which bans Cabinet members, their spouses and minor children from having equity stakes exceeding 5 per cent, he said.

In committing an offence under Article 269, he was automatically disqualified under Article 182 which details the qualifications to hold office, including the 5 per cent cap.

As Chaiya was found to have lacked the individual qualifications to remain in office, the prime minister, as the enforcer of the law on shares held by Cabinet members, has a direct responsibility to make him leave office, he said. Should the prime minister question the NCCC ruling, the government can petition for a judicial review by the Constitution Court, he said.

In case the government failed to enforce the NCCC ruling, one of the three agencies, the EC, the House or the Senate, could initiate the judicial review to remove Chaiya.

He said the Chaiya case was similar to the violations involving five ministers in the Surayud government. All five resigned instead of facing the humiliation of being forced out of office.

Chaiya's wife Jurai Sasomsap had 50 per cent equity worth Bt2.5 million in a company but he failed to report it in his asset declaration.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Minister fights for political life

Samak: Case against Chaiya should proceed

Embattled Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab's future is hanging in the balance after PM Samak yesterday indicated that his fate is now in the hands of the NCCC. Samak said the proceedings against Chaiya over his failure to properly declare his wife's shareholding in a company should be allowed to take their course. If Chaiya, a PPP member, is found guilty, he would be the first cabinet minister to be removed from office under the constitution. Samak wondered why Chaiya entrusted other people to handle his assets declaration instead of taking care of the matter himself. NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chanthik said all cabinet ministers should already be aware of the legalities regarding the assets declaration under the new constitution. Klanarong said NCCC Secretary-General Sarawut Menasawet attended a cabinet meeting on Feb 8 and spelled out details of Article 269 to the then newly-appointed ministers. Chaiya insisted he would not resign, saying he would continue to work as a cabinet minister until the Constitution Court made a final ruling. "Why do I have to resign? I am not guilty," he said, apparently defying calls for him to quit the cabinet post.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Apr2008_news01.php

[sriracha john]

Chaiya insisted he would not resign, saying he would continue to work as a cabinet minister until the Constitution Court made a final ruling. "Why do I have to resign? I am not guilty," he said, apparently defying calls for him to quit the cabinet post.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Apr2008_news01.php

Contrary to all of the above... according to his boss... he's history... the first of many, no doubt...

PM: Chaiya decides to resign from Public Health Minister

Chaiya Sasomsab has decided to resign from the post of Public Health Minister after the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) disqualified him on Tuesday, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Wednesday. Samak said he is waiting for the official resignation letter from Chaiya, but refused to answer whether he will try to stop him from stepping down from the ministerial post. Chaiya's decision came after the NCCC found that he failed to properly declare his wife's shareholding in a company. Earlier today, he canceled his plan to visit the southern border. He is now in his hometown in

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127012

[sriracha john]

Time for another new cabinet minister to be spotlighted....

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair

Collusion in NBT news deal claimed

Democrats urge probe into Jakrapob's role

Democrat Deputy Leader Alongkorn Ponlabutr will ask the DSI to look into alleged collusion between PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair and the company that won the contract to produce news programmes for the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT). Mr Alongkorn yesterday filed an impromptu query against Jakrapob in the House, saying that he suspected Jakrapob might have breached two laws, the criminal code and an act governing price offerings for state agencies' contracts. He said he will ask the DSI and the Auditor-General's Office to see if there was any collusion between Jakrapob and the firm that won the contract, Digital Media Holding Co. When the NBT, which was run by the Public Relations Department, called for bidding for the contract to produce news programmes, only two companies took part in the bidding. They were Digital Media and KL Media Product Co, he said. Jakrapob selected Digital Media and signed a partnership contract with the company on March 7. After signing the contract, Digital Media raised the annual return amount it promised to pay NBT to 40.5 million baht, which is still much lower than the amount of revenue it is expected to reap through its news programmes annually, said Mr Alongkorn. Calculating NBT's rates for commercial airtime of nine hours a day, Digital Media was likely to earn more than 1.5 billion baht in advertising revenue annually. From the amount, Digital Media should be able to pay more than 750 million baht in returns to NBT, said Mr Alongkorn. After checking the profiles of Digital Media and KL Media Product, the two companies were found to share the same address and telephone number. They were both located at 731 Asok-Din Daeng road.Digital Media Holding was set up only five months ago. Mr Alongkorn said he wondered why NBT and Mr Jakrapob did not select a partner with experience in the media industry.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/11Apr2008_news04.php

Edited April 11, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

More on Jakrapob's Jollies...

State auditor to look into alleged bidding collusion

Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka said yesterday her office will step in to investigate alleged collusion in the bidding for the contract to produce news programmes for the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT). The move follows a request from the opposition Democrat party. Khunying Jaruvan said the Office of the Auditor-General (OAG) has already assigned a team of its officials to look into the alleged bidding collusion. The OAG would also look into the contract signed between the state-run NBT, formerly Channel 11, and Digital Media Holding Co, as well as keep monitoring Digital Media's operations to see whether the firm would fulfil all its contractual obligations, she said. The OAG's move was in response to Democrat Deputy Leader Alongkorn Ponlabutr's allegation made that PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair might have helped Digital Media win the contract. Khunying Jaruvan said the OAG would also look into the allegation Digital Media another bidder for the contract, KLTM Media Product Co, shared the same address and telephone numbers. Apichart Sakdiseth, a Democrat MP, alleged the content of news programmes produced by Digital Media was neither unbiased nor well-balanced as claimed by Jakrapob. Certain programmes obviously served as channels for pro-government people to make public appearances via NBT, said Apichart. He cited as an example the Khon Khong Adeet (People in the Past) programme featuring routine activities of the 111 former TRT Party executives now under a five-year political ban after the party was dissolved for election fraud. Another example was the Khao Na See (Page 4 News) programme which invited only pro-government columnists to air their

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Apr2008_news12.php

[marshbags]

Time for another new cabinet minister to be spotlighted....

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair

Collusion in NBT news deal claimed

Democrats urge probe into Jakrapob's role

Democrat Deputy Leader Alongkorn Ponlabutr will ask the DSI to look into alleged collusion between PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair and the company that won the contract to produce news programmes for the National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT). Mr Alongkorn yesterday filed an impromptu query against Jakrapob in the House, saying that he suspected Jakrapob might have breached two laws, the criminal code and an act governing price offerings for state agencies' contracts. He said he will ask the DSI and the Auditor-General's Office to see if there was any collusion between Jakrapob and the firm that won the contract, Digital Media Holding Co. When the NBT, which was run by the Public Relations Department, called for bidding for the contract to produce news programmes, only two companies took part in the bidding. They were Digital Media and KL Media Product Co, he said. Jakrapob selected Digital Media and signed a partnership contract with the company on March 7. After signing the contract, Digital Media raised the annual return amount it promised to pay NBT to 40.5 million baht, which is still much lower than the amount of revenue it is expected to reap through its news programmes annually, said Mr Alongkorn. Calculating NBT's rates for commercial airtime of nine hours a day, Digital Media was likely to earn more than 1.5 billion baht in advertising revenue annually. From the amount, Digital Media should be able to pay more than 750 million baht in returns to NBT, said Mr Alongkorn. After checking the profiles of Digital Media and KL Media Product, the two companies were found to share the same address and telephone number. They were both located at 731 Asok-Din Daeng road.Digital Media Holding was set up only five months ago. Mr Alongkorn said he wondered why NBT and Mr Jakrapob did not select a partner with experience in the media industry.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/11Apr2008_news04.php

Plenty of TRT style ethics going on from day one with all the top players of the surrogate party, with a similar display of arrogance and seemingly DGAF attitude about the masses.

The greedy self serving backstuds.

I wonder what percentage their sponsor is on ????

marshbags

Edited April 12, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

meanwhile... over at the Education Ministry...

Education Ministry to inspect Internet cafés after Songkran

Spokesman of the Ministry of Education [and former TRT Party MP], Wattana Sengpairoh, reports that the ministry will inspect game and Internet cafés after Songkran Festival.

The spokesman says he and officials from the Student Patrol Division will randomly inspect game and Internet cafés which operate beyond the period of time allowed by the authorities. The cafés which violate the ministry’s regulations will face immediate legal charges and will be closed down, Wattana says.

According to the spokesman, spending time longer than 2-3 hours playing computers affects children’s brain development. *Do you have a source for that scientific study, Khun Wattana?*

He also called on the new Police Commissioner-General to seriously taking care of game and Internet cafés and take action against police officers involved in the cafés which violate laws.

Wattana encourages people to contact the ministry’s hotline 1579 if they see game and Internet cafés operating beyond the legal time.

- ThaiNews / 04-14-08

[sriracha john]

while at the Agricultural Ministry, everyone is hoping the dog is ok...

Agriculture minister vaccinated

Agriculture Minister Somsak Prissanananthakul was given a rabies jab after being bitten by a dog on Sunday while visiting villagers in his home town of Angthong.

Somsak - in Chaiyo district to preside over a Family Day ceremony during the Songkran festival in the province - was bitten on the calf as he visited victims of seasonal storms.

Reporters yesterday noticed that Somsak was walking unnaturally, and asked what had happened to him.

"I was a bit startled. The fabric of my trousers was torn but luckily there was just a scratch to my leg. However, I didn't want to take a risk, so I got a rabies shot," said the minister, who is deputy leader of the Chart Thai Party.

He resumed his itinerary after receiving the inoculation in a local hospital.

- The Nation

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

as often is said, dogs have an innate ability to sense good versus bad people....

[sriracha john]

swinging back around to the Interior Ministry... where some of the real dangerous lunatics are...

Chalerm plans to register the Thaksin Party

Proposal may hit snag when it gets to the EC

A plan by Chalerm Yubamrung to rename the New Alternative Party the Thaksin Party could hit a snag. While the Political Parties Act does not prohibit naming a party after an individual, it does stipulate that a party name must not trigger divisions in the country, an EC source said yesterday. This would give the EC grounds to refuse the application. The EC Chairman is also the Registrar of Political Parties. The EC would have to decide if the Thaksin party would spell trouble for society, the source said. If the name is rejected, Chalerm would have 30 days to apply to the Constitution Court for a review of the decision. Thepthai Senapong, Assistant Secretary-General of the opposition Democrat Party, said it appeared Chalerm was trying to thank former PM Thaksin for giving him the job of Interior Minister. Chalerm founded the New Alternative Party, but resigned and joined the PPP. The New Alternative Party is still under the control of his close associates. He revealed his plans to rename the party on Sunday. It would then provide a new home for MPs from PPP, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya, the three key coalition parties facing possible dissolution. "We will show that attempts to change politics by disbanding as many as 3 political parties will not bear fruit, because it would make no difference," Chalerm said. "We will always come back under the banner of another party."

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Apr2008_news08.php

[Tony Clifton]

Circus clowns, they spend more time trying to save the Little Emperor's ass, appointing inexperienced family members and setting up more crooked programs than doing real work for their country. I wonder what they'll have to say when Coward the Great flees to avoid testifying tp prove his innocence doesn't come back until a new constitution is in place or never comes back if the plan fails.