Abuse-of-power Trial Against Thaksin Begins

[george]

Abuse-of-power trial against former Thai premier begins

BANGKOK: -- Supreme court on Tuesday officially kicked off an abuse-of-power trial against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman for the purchase of a plot of land at a government auction five years ago.

Thaksin did not appear in court but was represented by his wife.

Potjaman told the Supreme Court for Political Cases that she and her husband were innocent.

Thaksin, who is currently in London, stands accused of abusing his position as prime minister in 2003 by allowing his wife to make a Bt772 million bid for a plot of land in a government auction.

--The Nation 2008-04-29

[Jai Dee]

Abuse-of-power trial against former Thai premier starts

Thailand's supreme court on Tuesday officially kicked off an abuse-of-power trial against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman for the purchase of a plot of land at a government auction five years ago.

Thaksin, who was ousted by a military coup in September 2006, on charges of corruption, dividing the nation and undermining democracy and the monarchy, did not appear in court but was represented by his wife.

Potjaman told the Supreme Court for Political Cases that she and her husband were innocent.

Thaksin, who is currently in London, stands accused of abusing his position as prime minister in 2003 by allowing his wife to make a 772 million baht (24.5 million dollar) bid for a plot of land in a government auction.

After living in self-exile for 17 months after the coup, Thaksin returned to Thailand on February 28 to face an abuse-of-power case at the Supreme Court.

Despite facing numerous corruption charges, Thaksin remains tremendously popular, particularly among the poor who benefitted most from his populist policies.

Since his return, Thaksin has said repeatedly that he will avoid Thai politics and concentrate on clearing his name in court.

Thaksin's two-term premiership between 2001 to 2006 was unique in Thailand's long history of money-politics.

A billionaire telecommunications tycoon, Thaksin introduced populist policies to win votes rather than simply paying for them, and consequently won an unprecedented parliamentary majority that allowed him to monopolize Thai politics like no other premier before him.

Abuses of power, particularly the 2-billion-dollar tax-free sale of his Shin Corp empire in January 2006, eventually turned the Bangkok-based middle class and political elite against him, leading to his overthrow on September 19.

Source: M&C - 29 April 2008

[Thaihog]

Abuse-of-power trial against former Thai premier begins

BANGKOK: -- Supreme court on Tuesday officially kicked off an abuse-of-power trial against former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman for the purchase of a plot of land at a government auction five years ago.

Thaksin did not appear in court but was represented by his wife.

Potjaman told the Supreme Court for Political Cases that she and her husband were innocent.

Thaksin, who is currently in London, stands accused of abusing his position as prime minister in 2003 by allowing his wife to make a Bt772 million bid for a plot of land in a government auction.

--The Nation 2008-04-29

What a waste of tax payers money. There is no way in a million years that Thaksin would ever be found guilty of any crimes in Thailand. "Money talks and the rich walk".

Edited April 29, 2008 by Thaihog

[clausewitz]

It is a shocking crime though. Compares with Stalin and Pol pot's deeds in its sheer horror.

[Old Man River]

It is a shocking crime though. Compares with Stalin and Pol pot's deeds in its sheer horror.

You are being factitious aren't you? This case relates to Pojamon's purchasing repossessed land at a government auction where she was the highest bidder. The only potential issue here is that as the PM's wife, she shouldn't have been allowed to bid on the land. This is hardly a shocking crime to be compared with Stalin and Pol Pot. Surely you jest.

[Plus]

It's the easiest case against them, so it went to courts first.

There are other, far more serious cases in the pipeline.

How about CTX scandal that involves current Attorney General? Will their office indict their own chief?

[Old Man River]

It's the easiest case against them, so it went to courts first.

There are other, far more serious cases in the pipeline.

How about CTX scandal that involves current Attorney General? Will their office indict their own chief?

Plus, none of the cases that will be brought to court could ever be equated with Stalin and Pol Pot. Many of the cases don't even involve the former PM (such as the CTX scanners).

On the CTX scanners, who knows? Never a dull moment.

[slapout]

I agree its hard to compare this family and other Thai polticitans with the Stalins and his look alikes of history. But if you are responsible for corruption and theft, which will deprive families, including children, of food, education, proper housing etc are you not in a backhanded way responsible for forcing them into activities which may be criminal in nature? I heard the other day that due to Mr. T, Chiang Mai had 3 ring roads. When I mentioned, that what was stolen from these projects may have paid for 5 or 6 ring roads, it was noted only 3 were needed. I was also informed that other PM's had taken resources from all of Thailand for their Province so it was OK. It will take a large % of the people to go hungary or without mobil phone for them to wake up. The 4 or 5 groups who handled the scanners prior to them actually being installed, have probably vanished in the smoke cloud or the principals moved and are not at home to receive the appearance requests.

[Seneque]

Booooooooring

[Plus]

Plus, none of the cases that will be brought to court could ever be equated with Stalin and Pol Pot. Many of the cases don't even involve the former PM (such as the CTX scanners).

I'm aware of that.

>>>>

Last I heard Thaksin was on the defendants list in CTX case, or it was implied he was on the list.