Somchai Wongsawat Found Guilty By Ncc

[mdechgan]

It's time for a serious corruption-fighter to be PM:

You think Samak was hostile towards the media, watch out for this guy!

[sriracha john]

Cue resignation speech....

Urgent : PM to address in a special tv programme

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will speak in a special television programme at noon.

- The Nation

[hammered]

Cue resignation speech....

Urgent : PM to address in a special tv programme

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will speak in a special television programme at noon.

- The Nation

Resignation or I will await the outcome of my inquiry. He may decide that he needs inquiries to know whether he has done something wrong or not... Will a TRT/PPP autonomon for the first time ever take responsibility for their own actions? It would be nice if he did.

[sriracha john]

Matchima Thipathaya Party Leader has joined with Chart Thai calling him to heed Anupong's advice to resign and both parties are willing to withdraw from the coalition government.

[Crushdepth]

Funny how an 8 year old case can finish within weeks of Somchai becoming PM.

Thailand now has an extreme case of Judicial Politics.

The courts have started upholding the law against politicians. Maybe you prefer they didn't have to follow the law, but personally I hope they have to get used to it and the faster these crooks end up in the clink the happier I'll be.

What next! Let Bangkokians run the country, please, look at the state of Bangkok now, the rich trading Chinese families have raped and pilaged every square metre. Look at Suan Luang Night Bazaar. That used to be a nice grassed field. Chinese shophouses cluster up every nook and cranny all the way from Minburi to Samut Sakorn. Parking space is non-existant. You can't even find a parking spot in front of 90% of the business you want to visit! This is not going to be the peoples country, it's going to be Sondhi L. utopia.

What do you think the Thai economy would look like without ethnic Chinese?

[mdechgan]

What do you think the Thai economy would look like without ethnic Chinese?

Don't forget the Sikhs and Indians! They literally own Bangkok, Lek Nana owns the entire Yaowarat area.

And the foreign investment from Japan, etc. they own Chonburi!

[MrSnrang]

the rich trading Chinese families have raped and pilaged every square metre. Look at Suan Luang Night Bazaar. That used to be a nice grassed field. Chinese shophouses cluster up every nook and cranny all the way from Minburi to Samut Sakorn.

Hear hear!

I say it's high time that me and my fellow Chinese Bangkokians give a big 'fuc_k you' to the political system and let the northerners deal with running the country.

[WAERTH]

Funny how an 8 year old case can finish within weeks of Somchai becoming PM.

Thailand now has an extreme case of Judicial Politics.

The courts have started upholding the law against politicians. Maybe you prefer they didn't have to follow the law, but personally I hope they have to get used to it and the faster these crooks end up in the clink the happier I'll be.

I agree with you on that, their is one slight problem though. If the courts really go after all cases there will not be one politician left to rule the country and their extended families and circles of friends will be inelligable for office as well.

[TAWP]

Which would be a good thing...

[sriracha john]

Urgent : PM to address in a special tv programme

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will speak in a special television programme at noon.

- The Nation

Matchima Thipataya Party Leader has joined with Chart Thai calling him to heed Anupong's advice to resign and both parties are willing to withdraw from the coalition government.

His press announcement was apparently delayed... and after some frantic calling...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2279575

and after some frantic meetings with his crumbling coalition...

he'll speak later this afternoon...

Somchai calls urgent meeting of coalition partners at 2 pm

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat will hold an urgent meeting with leaders of coalition partners at 2 pm at the Don Muang airport.

He will hold a press conference after the meeting.

- The Nation / 2008-10-17

[Crushdepth]

Cue resignation speech....

Maybe we could draft it for him, since he is so tense and distracted at the moment? Here's a start:

I, Somchai, brother-in-law but not-a-nominee of a bail jumping fugitive, am resigning because of mysterious pressure from an invisible hand that threatened to park tanks on my front lawn.

I am sorry I forgot to transfer all my shareholdings to my maid before assuming office. I was too busy serving the country to think about it.

I don't recall any dodgy land deals, it is all lies from the surveyor who was paid by PAD minions who were funded by mysterious hands that bought explosively lethal non-lethal tear gas grenades...

[Artisi]

Cue resignation speech....

Maybe we could draft it for him, since he is so tense and distracted at the moment? Here's a start:

I, Somchai, brother-in-law but not-a-nominee of a bail jumping fugitive, am resigning because of mysterious pressure from an invisible hand that threatened to park tanks on my front lawn.

I am sorry I forgot to transfer all my shareholdings to my maid before assuming office. I was too busy serving the country to think about it.

I don't recall any dodgy land deals, it is all lies from the surveyor who was paid by PAD minions who were funded by mysterious hands....

It's the result of the PAD causing trouble - cause without them it would have all been swept under the carpet, therefore by default it's their fault - not mine.

[Gonzo the Face]

I suggest Kn. Pornthip for PM

sounds kinda good

PM Pornthip

PM Pornthip

PM Pornthip

I think she has the balz for the job.....

add some class to the circus...... circus....actually she would fit in

[Samuian]

I fear it would be chalerm, he was always in the waiting. However he's proven himself many times to be incompetent.

Here we go, he had it, I don't know how many times within reach - and as "Don Chalerm" he would be well suited, in the mean time, "little Somchai" could fiddle with the constitutional framework, focus and make sure it's riddled with little hidden legal loopholes like an Emmenthal Cheese.

The "Don" could get his well trained sons back in to the equation, one now a jump starter, going up like a Harrier, in his army career, could give him the back up in the hold up, Kowit has passed his test already in the crackdown.. I know...well.. just a thought gone stray here, sorry! It could mean the very end of the days, now this guy would certainly go the whole 9 yards, he has nothing to lose and was never ever PM before!

Anybody wishes to be a PM out there, Souffleuse guaranteed, at all times, for the job!?

[Gonzo the Face]

Actually, I think having the PM's and other high officials offices at Don Muang Airport is a really good idea.

When they are found guilty of something, its slip out the back door and fly into the sunset. No getting caught in traffic on the way to the airport.

Is somebody counting the number of suitcases being put on the plane.

[sriracha john]

Thai PM To Step Down In Day or 2, Sources Say - Kyodo

Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has decided to step down in the next day or two because his government is apparently losing public and military support, Japan's Kyodo News reported Friday, citing unnamed sources.

Somchai, who has only been premier for a few weeks, has told close aides in the ruling People Power Party and the military that he's looking for a successor and needs another day or two before officially quitting, Kyodo said.

It said Somchai cited the need for a new administration to push for amendments to Thailand's post-coup Constitution to facilitate holding a new general election, according to one of the sources.

Kyodo also quoted a source close to Somchai as saying a potential successor would be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat. Another contender might be Apiwan Wiriyachai, currently deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, the news agency said.

- Dow Jones Newswire / 2008-10-17

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

Sompong is yet another Thaksin confidante having been friends with him since their shared childhood in Chiang Mai.

[animatic]

I suggest Kn. Pornthip for PM

sounds kinda good

PM Pornthip

PM Pornthip

PM Pornthip

I think she has the balz for the job.....

add some class to the circus...... circus....actually she would fit in

She would be very good at it,

other than not being very diplomatic.

Then again... Thaksin and Samak make her look like Benjamin Disraeli in comparison.

Then again I think she LIKES her hard earned reputation and wouldn't accept the job.

For my money it's her or Jaruvan Mantika for honest leadership abilities.

Interesting that it's the WOMEN coming up in that area.

But I would much rather watch a Porntip news conference to a Jaruvan one...

[Guest Reimar]

Abhisit urges Somchai to dissolve House

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva Friday called on Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to dissolve the House of Representatives, saying it is the only acceptable way-out for the on-going political crisis.

Abhisit said Somchai's resignation would not solve the crisis because the new government would still be unacceptable to many sides in the society.

He said even if the Democrat became the next government leader, the new coalition would still face opposition. He added that the idea of the government of national unity was also unacceptable to the current coalition partners.

Abhisit said a new constitution drafting assembly could be set up after the next election.

Source: The Nation http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30086277

[jayjayjayjay]

Thai PM To Step Down In Day or 2, Sources Say - Kyodo

Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has decided to step down in the next day or two because his government is apparently losing public and military support, Japan's Kyodo News reported Friday, citing unnamed sources.

Somchai, who has only been premier for a few weeks, has told close aides in the ruling People Power Party and the military that he's looking for a successor and needs another day or two before officially quitting, Kyodo said.

It said Somchai cited the need for a new administration to push for amendments to Thailand's post-coup Constitution to facilitate holding a new general election, according to one of the sources.

Kyodo also quoted a source close to Somchai as saying a potential successor would be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat. Another contender might be Apiwan Wiriyachai, currently deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, the news agency said.

- Dow Jones Newswire / 2008-10-17

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

Sompong is yet another Thaksin confidante having been friends with him since their shared childhood in Chiang Mai.

OK guys........................ isn't it about time we planned our (farang) takeover. I've been in this country almost a 2 decades. My lineup!

PM...JJJJ (and that's coz I want to get rich)

Sriracha John....... Public Relations Minister (really don't know why)

H90.......Minister for Social Something and Culture (you know the irrelevant one)

Banyai... Industry Headbutter Minister

Plus....... Ministry of Justice (just right)

Permanent_Disorder.... Minister of Keeping Pubs Open

Coalminer..... Minister of Industry (for obvious reasons)

Reimar.... Minister of InJustice (super mod with trigger finger)

Sunrise07... Minister of Defence (I think this one is appropriate depending on your side 555)

JDinAsia.... sorry moved to an inactive post before Parliment could open.

Animatic... Minister of Education (paragraphs are not his thing, so I guess we can change Thai writting!!!)

Have a good weekend guys!

[sriracha john]

For my money it's her or Jaruvan Mantika for honest leadership abilities.

Interesting that it's the WOMEN coming up in that area.

kinda reflective of Thai society at large, IMHO and experience.

[animatic]

Sign up here for the

PPP Prime Minister Of The Month Club

Each month we will send you a fresh, new,

presently un-banned Prime minister for your delectation.

He will come with assorted hangers on and pending legal suits attached.

You may serve him up to your friends and neighbors with pride,

knowing next month a fresh, new and exciting 'Example of the PM' will be

winging your way so soon, you might not even remember when it arrived!

So sign up TODAY!

for this great year long feast or famine political crash course,

in Prime Ministerial malfeasance and retro-active de-qualification.

Come on, get yours TODAY!

Order now and get a fresh Franklin Mint Commemorative

Thaksin Shinawtra Solid Brass Medal and Hitching Post.

Included at NO EXTRA CHARGE, besides your children's futures.

[h90]

Sign up here for the

PPP Prime Minister Of The Month Club

Each month we will send you a fresh, new,

presently un-banned Prime minister for your delectation.

He will come with assorted hangers on and pending legal suits attached.

You may serve him up to your friends and neighbors with pride,

knowing next month a fresh, new and exciting 'Example of the PM' will be

winging your way so soon, you might not even remember when it arrived!

So sign up TODAY!

for this great year long feast or famine political crash course,

in Prime Ministerial malfeasance and retro-active de-qualification.

Come on, get yours TODAY!

Order now and get a fresh Franklin Mint Commemorative

Thaksin Shinawtra Solid Brass Medal and Hitching Post.

Included at NO EXTRA CHARGE, besides your children's futures.

As it is getting faster and faster, maybe we get a time when 10, 20% of the population were PM for a short time.

[plachon]

At this rate of getting through PM's, soon half the country will have had their 15 mins of leadership fame, in the spirit of Warhol (which may make Thailand the new worldwide hub of participatory democracy).

[Gravelrash]

If Thailand is like most countries and former PMs do quite nicely in retirement benefits, then perhaps the plan is to rotate the entire PPP through the job. obviously those with the most pressing court cases get to have a go first.

[h90]

If Thailand is like most countries and former PMs do quite nicely in retirement benefits, then perhaps the plan is to rotate the entire PPP through the job. obviously those with the most pressing court cases get to have a go first.

But if you rotate them every second day, it gets very difficult to focus on one....

[ratcatcher]

If Thailand is like most countries and former PMs do quite nicely in retirement benefits, then perhaps the plan is to rotate the entire PPP through the job. obviously those with the most pressing court cases get to have a go first.

But if you rotate them every second day, it gets very difficult to focus on one....

Without due respect, I believe this would be the most efficient way to rotate Thai politicians.

[thesunset75]

Actually, I think having the PM's and other high officials offices at Don Muang Airport is a really good idea.

When they are found guilty of something, its slip out the back door and fly into the sunset. No getting caught in traffic on the way to the airport.

Is somebody counting the number of suitcases being put on the plane.

Dont fly into me !!!

[h90]

If Thailand is like most countries and former PMs do quite nicely in retirement benefits, then perhaps the plan is to rotate the entire PPP through the job. obviously those with the most pressing court cases get to have a go first.

But if you rotate them every second day, it gets very difficult to focus on one....

Without due respect, I believe this would be the most efficient way to rotate Thai politicians.

agree....

[Gonzo the Face]

15 minute PM's

or

Time-Share Thaksin's

[younghusband]

FROM TOC

Graft Fighting Panel Rules PM Guilty in Justice Ministry's Land Purchase

UPDATE : 16 October 2008

The graft fighting panel resolved today to ask the Civil Service Commission Office to give the prime minister retroactive punishment for his failure to take legal action against two high-ranking officials involved in the failure to collect fees from the land plots sold to a private company while he served as permanent-secretary to the Justice Ministry.

The National Counter Corruption Commission has found that Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Senior Judge Bandit Ratchatanont, who was Somchai's deputy when Somchai was the permanent-secretary of the Justice Ministry, failed to protect the state's interest.

The commission's investigation found that the two issued an order to abolish legal action against former Director-general of the Legal Execution Department, Praman Teeyaboonsin , and his former deputy, Manit Suthaporn for failing to collect 70 million baht in fees from the two land plots auctioned by Thanyaburi Provincial Court to Modern Home Company.

The NCCC will forward its investigation report to the office of Civil Service Commission for its consideration of retroactive punishment against Somchai, while the sentence against Bandit is under the responsibility of the Judge Commission. Under the NCCC's organic bill, they can be sacked from civil service.

Meanwhile, then Justice Minister, Suthat Ngernmuen managed to escape the charge as the case is not a criminal action but is a disciplinary offence and he is no longer in office.

\

In today's Bangkok Post Veera Prateepchaikul -no friend to this government- skewers the NCCC.

"The National Counter Corruption Commission is supposed to be a bulwark in the fight against corruption. Its ruling on the case involving Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat is a farce that already has had a negative affect. COMMENTARY By Veera Prateepchaikul

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As its name implies, the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is supposed to be the bulwark in the fight against the scourge of corruption in the bureaucracy. And we have been led to believe that this supposedly independent organisation is among a handful that is free from political interference and can still be trusted. Pitifully though, this myth has been shattered by its ruling last Thursday pertaining to a land auction case dating back to 1998.

The graft watchdog has faulted Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, then justice permanent secretary, for carelessness in failing to take action against Pramarn Tiyapaiboonsin and Manit Suthaporn, then director-general and deputy director-general respectively of the Legal Execution Department.

The two were accused of returning a 70 million baht deposit posted by a bidder in an auction to the landowner without demanding 45 million baht in land tax for the land deal from the landowner, which was construed as causing damage to the state.

A fact-finding committee led by a vice-president of the Supreme Court ruled the Legal Execution Department was guilty of negligence and recommended that the justice permanent secretary follow up the case. Instead, the case was shelved, prompting the judge who initiated the case, Chamnan Raveewanpong, to bring the matter to the attention of the NCCC two years later.

But it was not until two years ago during the government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont that the NCCC found Mr Manit guilty of malfeasance in office and suggested that he be sacked. Mr Pramarn was eventually faulted for a disciplinary violation, also by the NCCC.

Given that the case had grounds, as substantiated by the Supreme Court vice-president's investigating panel's findings and recommendation for Mr Somchai to follow up, the NCCC's ruling which faulted the then justice permanent secretary for carelessness is a big letdown and a big farce. How can someone who is fully aware of something fishy going on choose to sit on it? This is careless. It completely defies logic. Instead, such misconduct should be regarded as an intentional cover-up.

Had the NCCC ruled on the case in a straightforward manner, the consequences would have been much different. Perhaps there would have been no need for the top brass to come out and make a direct suggestion on television for Prime Minister Somchai to stand down to show responsibility for the October 7 violent crackdown on supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Nevertheless, the NCCC will have to live with the shame of this farcical ruling.

Like the mythical Pandora's box which is filled with all the evils of the world, this scandalous land case has implicated several more players. If you dig deeper, more skeletons will emerge, and that will not do any good to the judiciary. Yet the case should serve as a valuable lesson to the current judicial commission which can reflect on the shortcomings of the previous commission regarding corruption in order to see that it is never repeated.

Apparently, the judicial commission at the time was also at fault for its failure in not proceeding with disciplinary action against Mr Manit and Mr Pramarn despite an initial probe which accused the two officials of negligence in the performance of their duty in connection with the land deal. The judicial commission's failure was clearly in defiance of the Judicial Officials Act B.E. 2543 which makes it compulsory for a probe to be conducted in instances of suspected disciplinary breaches by judicial officials and a disciplinary investigation held in case there is a gross disciplinary violation.

Last, but not least, my sincere commendation to that rare breed of judge, Mr Chamnan, for without his unusual sense of social responsibility, his courage to the extent of foolhardiness and unwavering resolve to set things right as well as the full support of his family and friends the "evils in the Pandora's box" in the judiciary would have never been exposed.

Veera Prateepchaikul is Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Co Ltd.