'unaware' Health Minister May Lose Job Due To Wife's Shares

[sbk]

'Unaware' Health Minister may lose job due to wife's shares

BANGKOK, April 8 (TNA) - Thailand's graft-busting body on Tuesday ruled that Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap violated the 2007 Constitution by failing to report his wife's shareholding in excess of the five per cent ownership limit in a private company, an action which may have cost the minister his job

The National Counter Corruption Committee (NCCC) resolved to forward Mr. Chaiya's statement and other information involving the case to four parties directly concerned -- the prime minister, the House Speaker, Senate Speaker and the Election Commission chairman -- for further deliberation before a final decision will be made whether or not to submit the case to court as the NCCC has no authority to rule in the case, according to NCCC member Klanarong Chantik.

Thailand's Constitution stipulates that Cabinet members and their spouses are prohibited from owning more than five per cent of equity stakes in any company.

Mr. Chaiya failed to notify the NCCC about his wife's shares exceeding the legal limit by the deadline when he filed a report on his assets and liabilities with the anti-graft agency after the six-party coalition government led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej took office in early February.

The embattled minister later said that he had no intention to conceal his wife's financial assets, but he was unaware that his spouse's financial report should be included.

However, the NCCC found that his explanation had no grounds.

Mr. Chaiya later vowed he would not resign but stay on job, saying he is not quilty.

The public health minister is no stranger to controversy as he was earlier targeted by a network of patients, consumers and non-governmental organisations which gathered 20,000 eligible voters' signatures to call for his removal from office, citing his decision to review the compulsory licensing (CL) enforcement on key cancer drugs and his transfer of senior health ministry officials as the major reasons for their move.

Mr. Chaiya stirred outrage after being perceived to have the interest of multi-national pharmaceutical companies more at heart than concern for Thailand's poor. (TNA)-E001

Source: MCOT English news

[stumonster]

so what companies does she have shares in ?

not like I'd expect there to be any conflict of interest

[Pushit]

So: Another BS "Honest Mistake"

[Boater]

The National Counter Corruption Committee (NCCC)

How many staff work in this department?? would need to be in excess off 20,000 civil servents to cater for thailand's taste of 'Tea Money'

[dkstoney]

The embattled minister later said that he had no intention to conceal his wife's financial assets, but he was unaware that his spouse's financial report should be included.

Pleading ignorance...PAAAAhahahaha! I'm sorry your honor, I forgot armed robbery was illegal.

[PeaceBlondie]

Maybe something was lost in translation to English. Maybe the text of the Thai law contains no definitions of spouse or family. But without reading a letter of the Thai alphabet, I will bet it does contain definitions which are clear enough to an M6 school child to "have an idea of."

[steveromagnino]

Maybe something was lost in translation to English. Maybe the text of the Thai law contains no definitions of spouse or family. But without reading a letter of the Thai alphabet, I will bet it does contain definitions which are clear enough to an M6 school child to "have an idea of."

Thaksin's precedent probably won't carry. He is going to be the sacrificial lamb for sure; not sure what the company was, but can guarantee it was about to be geared up to take a ton of government deals with no experience; we know how TRT/PPP do business.

Sorry, I will say that in my Thai way...

we no hao der TRT an der PPP dem make der moneeeey wid der bus-i-net.

[geriatrickid]

Not enough details. What if the shares were part of an investment fund and while the fund was declared, the shares were not.

How many TV members have an open book on their investments with their spouses/partners? Some women do keep their investments private as do males. I'd like to see the full details before joining this lynching party.

[steveromagnino]

Not enough details. What if the shares were part of an investment fund and while the fund was declared, the shares were not.

How many TV members have an open book on their investments with their spouses/partners? Some women do keep their investments private as do males. I'd like to see the full details before joining this lynching party.

He's already admitted most of the detail; AFAIK he didn't complete the form himself, and he knew he had to disclose but didn't because 'he didn't complete the form'

Listing is majority control by the wife of some relatively small company worth a few million baht and presumably set up to milk the country's wealth by being granted state contracts - that is what a cynical person might say knowing the person involved.

A weak excuse already used by the former PM and unlike the former PM there is no reason not to chuck this clown.

Edited April 9, 2008 by steveromagnino

[cclub75]

Maybe something was lost in translation to English. Maybe the text of the Thai law contains no definitions of spouse or family. But without reading a letter of the Thai alphabet, I will bet it does contain definitions which are clear enough to an M6 school child to "have an idea of."

Of course not. And furthermore, this is not new.

Surayud government had exactly the same problem. And it was less than one year ago !

http://thaicrisis.wordpress.com/2007/09/27...inister-resign/

http://thaicrisis.wordpress.com/2007/09/20...but-an-old-one/

Interior Minister, IT Minister and deputy Commerce Minister resigned.

So the excuse of the Health Minister now, is totally absurd.

Furthermore, the law is very clear : all ministers must declare their assets (theirs + spouse + children).

Otherwise, it would be too easy : put all your shares in your spouse's name. And voila, problem solved.

Better to do like Thaksin... put your assets in your... maid and driver's name...

[naka]

Ministers have a "job" ... Interesting concept.

Naka.

[WAERTH]

They already have a succesor for him ...... his older brother:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30070446

Public health minister to be replaced by his older brother

Waerth

[Tony Clifton]

How surprising!

[cclub75]

Public health minister to be replaced by his older brother

It's huge !

Hopefully, regarding "nominees", we have avoided... his maid, or his driver.

[sbk]

Thai Health Minister to resign over assets declaration: PM

BANGKOK, April 9 (TNA) – Thailand's Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsap has given his verbal resignation to Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, who is awaiting a formal written letter of resignation from the beleaguered minister.

Mr. Samak disclosed on Wednesday that Mr. Chaiya had asked to resign while talking with him Wednesday, saying that he would submit a letter of resignation very shortly.

The prime minister declined to say whether or not he might delay action on the letter of resignation from Mr. Chaiya, who remains under pressure following the disclosure by the National Counter-Corruption Commission that his spouse, Mrs. Jurai Sasomsap, had held more corporate shares than legally allowed.

Mr. Chaiya denied wrongdoing and vowed Tuesday not to resign.

The minister's wife reportedly holds up to half the total value of shares of a little-known firm, identified as Sap Hokheng Co, amounting to Bt2.5 million (about US$78,700). That was a breach of the law which states that members of the cabinet and their spouses may hold not more than a maximum of 5 per cent of the total value of any corporate stocks.

Mr. Chaiya, who with the rest of the Samak cabinet took office February 6, said he was not aware that the 5 per cent rule applied to his wife and failed to file the information before 30-day deadline after the six-party coalition government took office. (TNA)-E008

Source: MCOT English news

[sbk]

Public health minister to be replaced by his older brother

Government chief whip Chai Chidchob on Wednesday hinted that Nakhon Pathom MP Padermchai Sasomsap might replace his younger brother Chaiya Sasomsap in the position of public health minister.

The Nation

[Gravelrash]

Nothing like keeping the family business running with family members.

[sriracha john]

Public health minister to be replaced by his older brother

Government chief whip Chai Chidchob on Wednesday hinted that Nakhon Pathom MP Padermchai Sasomsap might replace his younger brother Chaiya Sasomsap in the position of public health minister

The Nation

Just so long as "some sap" has the job....

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

btw.... just noticing this thread... there are 11 posts on this topic going back three days on another thread and beginning here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1912160

Edited April 9, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The two saps from Nakhon Pathom along with a third brother are no strangers to controversy and highly suspect actions.... which means they'll likely do well in this government...

The Nation / Published on Sep 12, 2001

Chaiyos confronts Purachai

Chaiyos Sasomsap, an advisor to the prime minister, confronted Interior Minister Purachai Piumsombun at a Thai Rak Thai Party meeting yesterday to vent his displeasure at the massive police search over the weekend of his family's extensive properties in Nakhon Pathom province.

Chaiyos, a Thai Rak Thai MP elected on the party list, expressed dissatisfaction at what he called Purachai's "improper" remarks in support of the police "overreaction", particularly one that suggested that his family was influential, a source said.

If party leader Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had approved the police searches, it was disrespectful of him to do so, Chaiyos said.

Purachai explained that Chaiyos might be under some misunderstanding about his comments, then entered into a heated verbal exchange with Chaiyos.

According to the source, Purachai appeared to become fed up and cut Chaiyos short, telling him: "You must listen to me. You can't tell me what to say or not to say. I'll say whatever I want".

Thaksin said earlier at Government House that "too many" police officers took part in the operation, which was part of the government's war against illicit drugs.

Some 700 police as well as a helicopter took part in the searches of many properties in Nakhon Pathom on Saturday, including more than 20 houses, office buildings and a garbage burial site all owned by the Sasomsap family.

Two registered guns and 12 illegal immigrants were discovered on the Sasomsap family premises.

Chaiyos' brother Chaiya, a Thai Rak Thai MP representing Nakhon Pathom, said the aliens worked for a subcontractor.

Nakhon Pathom is the stronghold for Chaiyos, Chaiya, as well as brother Padermchai, the other Sasomsap Thai Rak Thai MP from the province.

[sriracha john]

'unaware' Health Minister May Lose Job Due To Wife's Shares

As he has resigned... according to the PM, anyway...

and been replaced.... according to Newin's Dad, anyway...

perhaps we can modify the thread title....

perhaps something similar to...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1915598

Chaiya is Shit-Canned... or words to that effect....

ok, ok... I'll play nice.... how about

Public Health Minister Resigns Over Undeclared Assets

Edited April 9, 2008 by sriracha john

[m3dave]

Ministers have a "job" ... Interesting concept.

Naka.

Not unlike our own dear house of commons, they find someone who paid his immediate family 72,000 pounds in one year to do "work for him" but the police have let him go as the evidence was burnt a year ago as a security measure! and hes still got his job, amazing....

[sriracha john]

Despite the PM saying he's resigned, the man himself says IF he does, he wants another sap for the job... as confusion within the new government abounds...

Embattled Chaiya wants brother to succeed him

Chaiya Sasomsap has pushed for his elder brother, Padermchai, to succeed him if he resigns from his post as Public Health Minister.

A source at the People Power Party said yesterday that Chaiya had lobbied PM Samak to replace him with his brother. Both are PPP representatives for Nakhon Pathom. Padermchai said he was ready to work as Public Health Minister and denied his brother intended to break NCCC rules. Government Chief Whip Chai Chidchob said cabinet positions could change hands between siblings. The NCCC on Tuesday found that Chaiya had failed to declare a substantial shareholding owned by his wife, Churai. The minister vowed to stay on in office, though conflicting reports emerged about his fate yesterday. In the morning, Samak said the minister had changed his mind, telling him he intended to resign. But Nattapong Kitaworarat, Adviser to the Public Health Minister, insisted hours later that Chaiya had not promised to resign. Chaiya was not available for comment.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/10Apr2008_news02.php

[sriracha john]

Some poignant points to ponder....

Resigning with dignity

The PM surely is aware that Chaiya has been a liability rather than an asset for the government. Shortly after taking up the post, the embattled minister made front-page headlines with his abrupt transfer of the Chief of the FDA, Dr Siriwat Tiptaradol; and rankled health advocacy groups and cancer/heart disease patients with his announcement to do away with compulsory licensing of life-saving drugs. He also made enemies of rural doctors by threatening to transfer Dr Pongthep Wongwattanapaibul, head of the Rural Doctors Society, to an inactive desk job. Chaiya's earlier defiance is a far cry from the conduct of Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin, who sought to suspend himself from duty after the ASC implicated him in the fire trucks controversy. Or even the model example set by five ministers of the Surayud government, who voluntarily resigned after learning their private shareholdings were in excess of the legal limit. There is no law which requires the Bangkok Governor to suspend himself from duty. Nor was there any rule requiring the five Surayud government ministers to resign. What they demonstrated was the rare political spirit found only in individuals with conscience, accountability and a sense of shame. If Chaiya leaves now, he will spare the government further trouble and retain for himself some dignity.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/10Apr2008_news13.php

[BigSnake]

Yes, just an HONEST mistake. Never should have the Job in the first place.

[Khun Jean]

Any reason to take out incompetent morons is a good one. I hope others get afraid as i presume all of them are having things on the side to profit from the state.

[sriracha john]

The confusion and contradictions of this new government are ever-growing... and leaves one wondering who's not telling the truth??? Is this another case of Samak caught in yet another lie?

Public Health Minister Chaiya insists he will not resign

Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab held a press conference at his residence in Nakhon Pathom on Thursday morning, saying he will not resign from post. Thousands of local residents went to his home to show their moral support after the NCCC said Chaiya failed to declare a substantial shareholding owned by his wife, Churai. Chaiya's statement contradicted what PM Samak told reporters on Wednesday. Samak said the minister told him he intended to resign. He added that he has not written a resignation letter, and that he will continue to work in this post with honesty.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127029

[Payboy]

Public health minister to be replaced by his older brother

logical choice - being older he has more experience with public and with health - thus more qualified than the incumbent

[geriatrickid]

wow, ok, I was too charitable on this one and really had it wrong. This truly stinks, not because he was not qualified to be the minister of health but because he is unqualified to be in a position of trust. I need to lose the delusional glasses.

[apetley]

Is there a Thai word for integrity?

[nothingleftbutfaith]

Is there a Thai word for integrity?

Yes, it spells : " How much ?"