Decision On Democrat’s Election Funding Case Within The Week

[george]

Decision on Democrat’s election funding case within the week

By John Le Fevre

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- A decision on whether court action will be sought to disband the ruling Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva for illegally receiving more than Bt258 million (about $US7.57 million) in campaign donations and misusing a further Bt29 million (about $US850,938) is expected within the week.

Election commissioner Sodsri Satayathum said yesterday that all witnesses involved in the matter had been questioned by the Election Commission (EC) investigation team and she expected a report to be forwarded to EC chairman Apichart Sukhagganond by next Tuesday.

"If there are no problems and the investigation report is clear enough, I expect the EC to be able to decide on this case within the month," she said.

If the report finds the Democrat Party did misuse money in the Political Party Development Fund from the EC and also failed to declare donations, she said the EC chairman could petition the Constitution Court to disband the party.

The EC launched its investigation into the Democrat Party after the Department of Special Investigation found publicly listed company TPI Polene had made large donations to the Democrat Party in 2004 which were not declared.

Sodsri said the EC had questioned witnesses from the Democrat Party as well as those produced by the DSI, including Messiah Business and Creation executive Prachuab Sangkhao.

It is understood that executives running the party at the time of the alleged donations have testified that they had no knowledge of any such funds and that the party's balance sheet supports their claim, however, the DSI's major witness, Prachuab, insists he transferred the money from the company to many Democrat leaders.

-- thaivisa.com 2009-08-13

[noahvail]

I find this fascinating. It seems there might be one of three possible outcomes, each of which raise questions:

If the allegations are true, will the Democrat Party actually be disbanded?

If the allegations are true but the responsible Party members were unaware of the funds transfers, will they be let off or disbanded?

If the allegations are false, was there an agenda that the complainant had against the Democrat Party, or was he looking for his 15 minutes of fame?

There certainly can be other scenarios; I'd love to read your ideas on this matter.

[hammered]

Falls at an interesting time just as the distinct groups in the government side are competing and reshuffle time is around which affects all including all the Thaksin supporters high up in the police.

Interesting times.

Business as usual

Throw the parlaimentary dice again

Constituional coup

Real coup

Election

All of the above are possible but with each group uunable to be sure of outcomes maybe business as usual is the favorite.

[animatic]

Well there is ONE guy saying he did this and that with money.

It is EASY to buy one guy in Thailand for most any purpose.

Like sending relatively small amounts to many, many Dem pol's accounts,

and they look and see a small windfall from a constituent, and don't question it.

When in reality it was an extended effort to make the appearance of an

Dem organized umbrella of corruption.

Beyond the pale here in the Land of Shinola?

Not hardly.

It's as easy to believe the thing was a set up from day one, as it is corruption from day one.

It also is a question mark if since the same people are not running the show now.

Other than name is it the same Democratic party to blame?

Edited August 13, 2009 by animatic

[TAWP]

So the case isn't about purchase of votes etc but the supposed failure to declare all donations from the public.

Seems like a case brought up to stir the pot and create more instability.

[emancipationthailand]

Judging from the mentalities lies within all above reps, it seemed the campaign 'all politicians are crooked' haven't gotten you? Strange, after all the farangs here seemed to be very updated in Thai politics?

[h90]

Falls at an interesting time just as the distinct groups in the government side are competing and reshuffle time is around which affects all including all the Thaksin supporters high up in the police.

Interesting times.

Business as usual

Throw the parlaimentary dice again

Constituional coup

Real coup

Election

All of the above are possible but with each group uunable to be sure of outcomes maybe business as usual is the favorite.

I would prefer a real coup, like the last one, with 1 or 2 year honest government which cleans up all the mess and than new elections.

[Plus]

They brought up donation case from five years ago. Party leadership has completely changed since then, Sec General is even working for another party. Waste of everybody's time.

If Dems managed to keep those extra funds off the books it's impossible to dissolve the party itself - it was individuals cheating on party own rules and regulations, if they can prove even that.

During the no confidence motion a few months ago the only evidence linking the party to the funds was one little fax sent TO party provincial office. It could have been for anybody who was there at the time and for any business. "Can I use your fax machine, someone's trying to send me some documents" - "Sure, you know the number".

[Chunkton]

Falls at an interesting time just as the distinct groups in the government side are competing and reshuffle time is around which affects all including all the Thaksin supporters high up in the police.

Interesting times.

Business as usual

Throw the parlaimentary dice again

Constituional coup

Real coup

Election

All of the above are possible but with each group uunable to be sure of outcomes maybe business as usual is the favorite.

I would prefer a real coup, like the last one, with 1 or 2 year honest government which cleans up all the mess and than new elections.

The one where the army changed the Constitution, poorly ran the country and increased the military budget etc etc? Yeah, well, who doesn't long for those wonderful days. What was that Griffen fighter deal again?

[TAWP]

The one where the army changed the Constitution, poorly ran the country and increased the military budget etc etc? Yeah, well, who doesn't long for those wonderful days. What was that Griffen fighter deal again?

Apart from it being a good plane, the negotiation started during Thaksin's days.

[Plus]

Changed the Constitution - well, the elected, non-junta parliament has been trying for a year and a half, and it is a total disaster as far as people are concerned, only self-serving crooks trying to protect their own interests. The junta's version is far more people centered, and they took it for public referendum. The elected bunch, on the other, isn't going to consult with people at all.

Junta appointed parliament was also far more productive than elected one as far as legistating is concerned. Last year was a complete write off, for example - they couldn't pass any laws at all, being busy squabbling with the people whether they should work for Thaksin or the country.

Poorly ran the country - there was 5-6% growth, including exports and foreign investment, and and they repaid hundreds of billions of public debts. What have the elected governments accomplished in a year and a half?

Increased the military budget - that was also the first order of business of Somchai govt, for example. As percentage of GDP it's still below Singapore or Malaysia.

Gripen fighter deal was Thaksin's pet project - chickens for planes.

>>>

What Thailand needs is a few years under competent, working government. Doesn't matter where it comes from, democratic vs coup government is a false dichotomy. Coup government was in many ways far more democratic than some elected goverments we had since.

[TPI]

Changed the Constitution - well, the elected, non-junta parliament has been trying for a year and a half, and it is a total disaster as far as people are concerned, only self-serving crooks trying to protect their own interests. The junta's version is far more people centered, and they took it for public referendum. The elected bunch, on the other, isn't going to consult with people at all.

Junta appointed parliament was also far more productive than elected one as far as legistating is concerned. Last year was a complete write off, for example - they couldn't pass any laws at all, being busy squabbling with the people whether they should work for Thaksin or the country.

Poorly ran the country - there was 5-6% growth, including exports and foreign investment, and and they repaid hundreds of billions of public debts. What have the elected governments accomplished in a year and a half?

Increased the military budget - that was also the first order of business of Somchai govt, for example. As percentage of GDP it's still below Singapore or Malaysia.

Gripen fighter deal was Thaksin's pet project - chickens for planes.

>>>

What Thailand needs is a few years under competent, working government. Doesn't matter where it comes from, democratic vs coup government is a false dichotomy. Coup government was in many ways far more democratic than some elected goverments we had since.

Wasn't the political scene boring after the coup? I missed the daily pronouncements of Tak--s wonderful leadership. The shame is that the folk who received the million baht per village thought that it came out of the "great liar's" pocket instead of out of their own!

Instead of trying to shuffle the seats around the trough the opposition should be coming up with "real" alternatives to the present government...that's if they're not all wan--rs?

[jasreeve17]

The comments here are laughable - from the same one-eyed folk...

The dems were appointed by the army after a coup, they put the judges in place while they were at it - this will go nowhere and the Dems (who someone said 'Party leadership has completely changed'; yeah the deputy leader is now the leader...) will continue as normal...

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Judging from the mentalities lies within all above reps, it seemed the campaign 'all politicians are crooked' haven't gotten you? Strange, after all the farangs here seemed to be very updated in Thai politics?

We're gonna miss you.

[hammered]

The comments here are laughable - from the same one-eyed folk...

The dems were appointed by the army after a coup, they put the judges in place while they were at it - this will go nowhere and the Dems (who someone said 'Party leadership has completely changed'; yeah the deputy leader is now the leader...) will continue as normal...

After the coup the army put a bunch of old gingers in and not the Dems. Then the PPP had the biggest number of MPs but not a majority after the election and Samak formed a government and the military and Samak (but not Thaksin) worked with shared interests for a short while. When this went wrong Thaksin appoitned his bro-in-law Somchai as PM but this didnt last long as Somchai didnt seem that interested in being PM and the powers that be didnt like the idea. Then the military urged by others powers found common interest to back a Dem led government supported by some up country power brokers the military were actually more happy to deal with. The military and Dems do not trust each other and have previous (bad) history. However, the Dems retain influential support from other non-army areas. To reduce it to Dems plus military equals government isnt just wrong and simplistic, it also fails to recognize the players are more than two. The Dems plus power brokers plus Newin plus military are all the same with the same interest and against us might be red propoganda aimed at villagers but even they know it isnt true and they constantly try to game the divisions themselves, which if you talk to any of them you will discover.

Please note this an attempt to identify what has happened without stating what is right and wrong.

[Rumfoord]

EC to receive probing results of Democrat’s donation on Friday

BANGKOK, 29 October 2009 (NNT) – Investigative committee will submit its result of the two scandalous donation cases of the ruling Democrat Party to the Election Commission (EC) on 30 October 2009, according to Secretary-General to the EC, Suthipon Thaveechaiyagarn.

The Democrat party is alleged of illegally receiving 258 million baht in donation from TPI Polene Plc, Thailand’s giant cement manufacturer, and misusing the supporting budget of 29 million baht allocated for it by the EC.

Regarding the progress of investigation on the allegations, Mr Suthipon stated the secretary of the investigative panel reported that they would submit its conclusion for the cases on Friday. Then, EC Chairperson Apichart Sukhagganond would copy the investigation result and distribute it to all EC Commissioners to study for seven days accordingly prior to handing down a resolution.

The Secretary-General confirmed there would be no further extension for investigation on the cases. Earlier, the EC demanded time extension to probe on the cases for 30 days, which was due on 31 October.

-- NNT 29 October 2009

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255210280059

[animatic]

Not news yet.

Hope you slow connection doesn't trip you up in attempts to gloat in advance.

[Rumfoord]

Not news yet.

Hope you slow connection doesn't trip you up in attempts to gloat in advance.

shooting the messenger?

talking to me? i didn't say anything so far on the topic. just copy&paste a NNT report.

[BangkokJazz]

The Nation - 18 Dec. 2009

The party dissolution case involving the Democrats will rest with the final decision by Suchart Sukhagganond, the registrar of political parties and concurrently the Election Commission chairman, EC member Sodsri Sattayatham said on Friday. The Democrat Party stands accused of involving in alleged irregularities stemming from the Bt258 million campaign contributions.

On its Thursday's meeting to debate the case, the EC failed to form a consensus on the case, hence deciding to entrust Suchart to have the final say.

Of the five EC members, Sodsri, Prapun Naigowit and Somchai Juengprasert voted in favour of referring the case to Suchart instead of ruling whether to dissolve the main coalition party.

Visuth Pothithaen cast a lone vote for punishment by party dissolution. And Suchart, in his capacity as EC chairman, opposed the party dissolution.

In his capacity as the political parties registrar, Suchart is obligated to petition the Constitutin Court for a judicial review. Following Suchart's review, the case is expected to be forwarded for the Office of the Attorney General to launch the court battle.

Reacting to the looming court battle, Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thuagsuban said he was worrying about the fate of his main coalition party.

Suthep said in his opinion, the Demorats were not at risk to see their party dissolved since the alleged wrongdoing involved individual members and not the party.

-- The Nation 18 December 2009

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[BangkokJazz]

Suchart in favour of dropping Democrat dissolution case

Election Commission chairman Suchart Sukhagganond, speaking in his capacity as the registrar of political parties, on Friday voiced his legal opinion in favour of dropping the party dissolution case involving the Democrats.

"I agree with the majority opinion of the investigative panel finding no cause to suspect wrongdoing by the Democrats related to the Bt258 campaign contributions," he said.

As EC chairman, Suchart voted on Thursday to acquit the Democrats. But three of five EC members decided to refer the case for a review by the registrar of political parties instead of forming a decision on the issue.

-- The Nation 18 dec 2009

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Edited December 18, 2009 by BangkokJazz

[BangkokJazz]

I guess that is that.

[ballpoint]

I know they say a week is a long time in politics, but this 4 month week was pushing it a bit.

[BangkokJazz]

While I have no idea of the legalities, I thought that the commissioners refusing to make a ruling was pretty lazy lol.

[Asa]

If there is clear trace of donor to recepient, the case is either a misappropriation of party executives, or a fraud of the party intentional hiding misuse of its fund. Dem could be closed, disbanding internal gangs.

I'd hate to see Dem go. Anyway, they have always been a fine opposition party, till election boycott when they won't accept the foreseen back seat...

[tig28]

Suthep said in his opinion, the Demorats were not at risk to see their party dissolved since the alleged wrongdoing involved individual members and not the party.

-- The Nation 18 December 2009

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Does Section 237 of the 2007 Constitution apply in this case??

[hammered]

There are some in the elite who would like to see the Dems disbanded as the politcal mess created by having every politcal party disolved would create opportunites for politcal "reform" of a style they may like.

Edited December 18, 2009 by hammered

[CLOD]

Any news on the 258million baht yet.

[animatic]

This was due last 2009-08-13 08

seems it is not the slam dunk decision some would like it to be.

One side sure wants this to stay in the news these days though. HA!

[animatic]

Suchart in favour of dropping Democrat dissolution case

....

As EC chairman, Suchart voted on Thursday to acquit the Democrats.

But three of five EC members decided to refer the case for a review by the registrar of political parties instead of forming a decision on the issue.

-- The Nation 18 dec 2009

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Seems they all passed the buck last Dec.

And this won't get decided on till AFTER Thaksin's case is dealt with,

AND after the repercussions are dealt with.

It seems though one outright aquital

and three fence sitters who fear something or hope for something....

is not much of a eminent death nell for the Dems.

The PTP has been trying sporadically to make this story have legs, with no success.

Seems to be more of the same.

[CLOD]

This seems very much like the dems are stalling justice to do their dirty washing.

They know they are vulnerable to dissolution on this 258million baht, more double standards.

Just another example of abisits human rights abuse in thailand.

Add it to the Human Rights Watch charge sheet.