B 2.5 Mill. Culprit Identified

[kandt]

ODPM officers ‘responsible for missing B2m’

PHUKET: The former chief of the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM), Metha Mekarat, and several of his staff were responsible for the disappearance of more than two million baht earmarked for tsunami victims, Vice-Governor Supachai Yuwaboon announced yesterday.

V/Gov Supachai has been chairing a commission set up to investigate the disappearance of the money – reported missing on February 15. He said the commission had decided that it had been “lost” through poor accounting by the ODPM officers charged with distributing it.

The finding jars with a comments from police officers conducting a separate investigation into the disappearance of the money.

They told the Gazette that it appeared that someone had sawn through one of the two locks on the strongbox in which the money was stored at Provincial Hall, had forced back the top and had reached in and taken the money.

Releasing the results of his committee’s investigations, the Vice-Governor acknowledged that the strongbox did appear to have been tampered with, but said that it was up to the police to investigate this and forward their report to him when their investigation is complete.

The Vice-Governor said his committee had investigated more than 10 ODPM officers and decided that seven or eight of them, ranging in rank from juniors to seniors, had made errors in recording how they had handed out the money.

ODPM officers were also at fault because they had kept the funds in the strongroom instead of depositing them in a bank.

K. Metha reported that the money – part of 45 million baht for tsunami victims sent to Phuket by the government – was missing after officer Soralak Theipput realised that there was 2,050,000 less in the strongbox than there should have been.

V/Gov Soralak, thought to be one of only two people with a key to the safe, was one of the officers held re sponsible for the loss.

“I have already presented the results of my investigation to Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura,” said V/Gov Supachai. ‘He will set up a committee to decide on a punishment for the officers, in line with Civil Service regulations.”

He added that the officers will be required to refund the money from their own pockets.

However, he added that the Governor had told him not to do anything further about the case until the police had completed their own investigation into the disappearance.

Brought to you by:

The Phuket Gazette

15:41 local time (GMT +7)

kandt..........

[penzman]

This story somehow reminds me of trying to teach my dog to stay still when I put a pork chop in front of him.

[RDN]

...V/Gov Supachai ... said the commission had decided that it had been “lost” through poor accounting by the ODPM officers charged with distributing it....

...police officers conducting a separate investigation into the disappearance of the money... told the Gazette that it appeared that someone had sawn through one of the two locks on the strongbox in which the money was stored at Provincial Hall, had forced back the top and had reached in and taken the money....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the vice governor (very apt title ) says it was poor accounting and the police say the locks were sawn through.

Not much inconsistency there. TIT.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

...V/Gov Supachai ... said the commission had decided that it had been “lost” through poor accounting by the ODPM officers charged with distributing it....

...police officers conducting a separate investigation into the disappearance of the money... told the Gazette that it appeared that someone had sawn through one of the two locks on the strongbox in which the money was stored at Provincial Hall, had forced back the top and had reached in and taken the money....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So the vice governor (very apt title ) says it was poor accounting and the police say the locks were sawn through.

Not much inconsistency there. TIT.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They divided it up behind the bikeshed

[taxexile]

is there one person , yes just one will do , in an official or elected position in this country , from the prime minister down to the lowest level of government , police or army peon , who can be trusted to speak the truth.

what a sad joke this countries' official representatives are.

you couldnt make some of this stuff up.

the worst thing about it is they just take us all for fools , they look down on us all.

in spite of all the blustering from on high about how proud thais should be about this country , it's mostly a third world backwater , festering away at the bottom of the league tables , and because of its officials , i fear it always will be.

[toastwars]

Hang on a mo, The facts are as follows

The money was not stolen someone forgot to fill in an IOU.

There is no SARS in Thailand.

There is no bird flu.

It is all the fault of the Muslims

Thaksin loves you.

Pigs can fly.

[The_Moog]

is there one person , yes just one will do , in an official or elected position in this country , from the prime minister down to the lowest level of government , police or army peon , who can be trusted to speak the truth.

Yes, Apirak, the Bangkok Governor is clean.

Although he hasn't actually done anything effective, and even his son complains to his English teacher that his dad is kind of a geek.

(and thats a Thaivisa scoop)

Mrs Moog saw Ex Governor Chamlong Srimuang in Phuket airport last month and said how much he was admired by Bangkok people.

"He was very honest and people liked him so much that they gave him presents of a lot of land."

.......So I had to set her straight on the implications of that comment.

[Ajarn]

is there one person , yes just one will do , in an official or elected position in this country , from the prime minister down to the lowest level of government , police or army peon , who can be trusted to speak the truth.

what a sad joke this countries' official representatives are.

you couldnt make some of this stuff up.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Boy, ain't that the sad (yet funny!) truth.....

I love watching these 'blameathon' manoueverings...

I did read of one politician resigning a post 'to take responsibilty' for his actions, but those actions weren't even close to the nefarious actions he should have gone to jail for, but his resignation in this 'professional' manner cancels any further investigation, and leaves a few Masters without having to take their responsibility for his nefarious actions...

In the news report, there was even a guy saying "He'll have to live with his actions for the rest of his life". I wonder if he could keep a serious face while blowing his smoke

[The_Moog]

Enron, Worldcom, Global Crossing - there are crooks everywhere. Thailand has no monopoly.

Even when Citigroup got caught weewee-ing in the rice pot in Japan recently, the Chairman, Charles Prince, just had to go and make a symbolic bow of sorrow. Like he gives a hoot about bowing in order to get exonerated.

Everyone's like "oooh, he bowed...he velly velly sorry"

Why should the small fry in Thailand be ethical ?- Who sets them an example in business? Someone who openly admits he bribed his way to winning the contracts that started his empire.

[Ajarn]

Why should the small fry in Thailand be ethical ?- Who sets them an example in business? Someone who openly admits he bribed his way to winning the contracts that started his empire.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Pray tell, who said that? It sure wasn't Thaksin.

Edited March 13, 2005 by Ajarn

[The_Eye_Of_Sauron]

Someone who openly admits he bribed his way to winning the contracts that started his empire.

One of the people to whom a 'highly successful Politician' owes his telecommunications business triumphs, remains on the local business scene. Last week pitching for a B 100 million kickback on a B 1.1 billion building that is being purchased in Bangkok via one of the household-name estate agencies in town.

Proceeds to be divided in the usual way among all involved parties. If you mess up, his boys pay you a visit.

"We wouldn't want nuffink nasty to 'appen now, would we?"

Edited March 13, 2005 by The_Eye_Of_Sauron

[RDN]

is there one person , yes just one will do , in an official or elected position in this country , from the prime minister down to the lowest level of government , police or army peon , who can be trusted to speak the truth.

what a sad joke this countries' official representatives are.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know. I sit here shaking my head at some of this stuff. Corruption stinks and they've got their heads in the trough. It's enough to make you weep.

[RDN]

Missing millions probe ‘making progress’

PHUKET CITY: Phuket City Police say they are making progress in the investigation into the alleged theft of 2.05 million baht in tsunami-relief funds from Phuket Provincial Hall – but have yet to name any suspects in the case.

Phuket City Police Superintendent Pol Col Paween Pongsirin told the Gazette yesterday that his department would “clear up” the case before the Songkran holiday, but declined to elaborate for fear, he said, of jeopardizing the case.

The money, part of funds intended for distribution to tsunami victims though the Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM), was reported missing from a strongbox at Phuket Provincial Hall on February 15.

Phuket Governor Udomsak Usawarangkura assigned Vice Governor Supachai Yuwaboon to lead an investigation team into the disappearance. On March 11 the V/Gov said his commission had concluded that the money had been “lost” through “poor accounting” by the ODPM officers charged with distributing it.

This finding was strangely at odds with the police investigation, which found evidence that someone had sawn though one of the locks on the strongbox and pried back its cover.

“We are conducting the investigation as rapidly and thoroughly as possible but have yet to name any suspects. Everything must be finished before Songkran or the middle of the month,” said Col Paween.

Col Paween did not specify whether by “finishing the case”, he was referring to the collection of evidence, the naming of suspects, or the filing of criminal charges.

Brought to you by:

The Phuket Gazette

6 April 2005

[The_Moog]

'culprit identified' says title

I can't see it.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

'culprit identified' says title

I can't see it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Colonel must really be a super sleuth

[RDN]

'culprit identified' says title

I can't see it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Colonel must really be a super sleuth

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The investigation's gone from "culprit identified" to "making progress". Sounds like it's in reverse gear.

[kandt]

The Colonel is smart. The longer the probe runs the more he cash in his account. It doesn´t say which year!

Cheers.........kandt

[bambob]

is there one person , yes just one will do , in an official or elected position in this country , from the prime minister down to the lowest level of government , police or army peon , who can be trusted to speak the truth.

what a sad joke this countries' official representatives are.

you couldnt make some of this stuff up.

the worst thing about it is they just take us all for fools , they look down on us all.

in spite of all the blustering from on high about how proud  thais should be about this country , it's mostly a third world backwater , festering away at the bottom of the league tables , and because of its officials , i fear it always will be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes the whole place is rotten to the core and always will be .

you forgot to mention a member of parliament is an ex pimp who one night wrecked a total complete area of businesses in Sukumvit road and got off scot free.

he now has his efigy towering over the site .

as you say the country is a big joke . one big 3rd world joke .

[RDN]

is there one person , yes just one will do , in an official or elected position in this country , from the prime minister down to the lowest level of government , police or army peon , who can be trusted to speak the truth.

what a sad joke this countries' official representatives are.

you couldnt make some of this stuff up.

the worst thing about it is they just take us all for fools , they look down on us all.

in spite of all the blustering from on high about how proud  thais should be about this country , it's mostly a third world backwater , festering away at the bottom of the league tables , and because of its officials , i fear it always will be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

yes the whole place is rotten to the core and always will be .

you forgot to mention a member of parliament is an ex pimp who one night wrecked a total complete area of businesses in Sukumvit road and got off scot free.

he now has his efigy towering over the site .

as you say the country is a big joke . one big 3rd world joke .

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This guy :

Chuwit Kamolvisit

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Chuwit Kamolvisit aka Davis Kamol (born August 29, 1946) is Thailand's biggest massage parlor owner. After having been arrested in 2003, he went public about his repeated bribe payments to hundreds of police officers. He then formed his own political party and ran for Bangkok governor in August 2004, coming in third.

Chuwit controls the Davis Group which owns six luxurious massage parlors near Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok (Copacabana, Victoria's Secret, Honolulu, Hi Class, Emmanuelle and Julianna), employing some 600 women. The Davis Group's holdings also include the Davis Hotel and shopping mall on Sukhumvit soi 23. Yearly revenues have been estimated to be about 1 thousand million Baht per year. The parlors operate in a grey area of the law. Some women wait behind a glass window, others wait in a lounge area or can be viewed via closed-circuit TV. Once the (typically male) customer has chosen a woman, they retreat to a room where the customer is washed and bathed and the masseuse performs a foam massage with her nud_e body, normally followed by sex. Prices range from 2000 to 5000 Baht for a two hour session. In one interview, Chuwit claimed to be ignorant about the going-ons in the rooms; in another he admitted that prostitution takes place.

In January 2003, Chuwit was accused of having hired some 600 men to raze and bulldoze several bars and shops on one of his plots of land near Sukhumvit road in Bangkok, in an apparent attempt to clear the land of low rent tenants so that it could be developed. The tenants believed to have valid leases from another company and were not informed of the raid that took place early on a Sunday morning. Chuwit was arrested and spent a month in jail. He denied the charges and was released on bail. Afterwards, angry that police would dare to touch him, he publicly released the amounts of bribes he had regularly paid in the past, along with names of some of the receiving police officers. At one point he put the total amount of bribes at 200 million Baht over 10 years, at another he mentioned payments of 12 million Baht per month. An investigation ensued, and eventually several officers were suspended or demoted. Chuwit also accused his prison wardens of having accepted bribes from him.

Shortly after these revelations, Chuwit disappeared for two days. Afterwards he claimed to have been abducted and abused by police; others alleged that he had staged his own abduction.

Chuwit was charged with procuring minors for prostitution, when three girls aged under 18 but over 15 were found in one of his parlors. He was acquitted of the charge in June 2004; the court found that the girls had presented fake IDs and Chuwit could not have been expected to detect the fraud. Also in June, Chuwit sold three of his parlors, saying that police harassment had made operation of the parlors very difficult for him.

The Thai newspaper The Nation chose Chuwit, along with Pornthip Rojanasunand and Chote Wattanachet, as persons of the year for 2003.

Political career

Chuwit, who holds an MBA from a San Diego university, went on to form his own political party, First Thai Nation, in September 2003. In April 2004 he announced that he would run for governor of Bangkok. He intended to spend about 20 million Baht on the campaign, with corruption in police and government being his main campaign topic. The Bangkok governor elections took place on August 29, 2004; Chuwit came in third, with roughly 300,000 votes, or about 16% of the vote.

For the 2005 legislative elections, Chuwit merged his party into the Chart Thai Party and ran as a party list candidate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuwit_Kamolvisit

[D Vince]

Hang on a mo, The facts are as follows

The money was not stolen  someone forgot to fill in an IOU.

There is no SARS in Thailand.

There is no bird flu.

It is all the fault of the Muslims

Thaksin loves you.

Pigs can fly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well thank God, and I was so worried that it was just me that belived that.

Nice to see that i'm not alone.

Think I'll go out this evening and watch the flock of pigs that feeds nightly near Ao Chalong, its so peacefull.

Evrything is Peachy in my world...

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Hang on a mo, The facts are as follows

The money was not stolen  someone forgot to fill in an IOU.

There is no SARS in Thailand.

There is no bird flu.

It is all the fault of the Muslims

Thaksin loves you.

Pigs can fly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well thank God, and I was so worried that it was just me that belived that.

Nice to see that i'm not alone.

Think I'll go out this evening and watch the flock of pigs that feeds nightly near Ao Chalong, its so peacefull.

Evrything is Peachy in my world...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[LivinLOS]

Just to point out Song Gran / middle of the month etc have all come and gone..

This seems to have all been swept under the carpet nicely.. I wonder how much of the >2mil was actually refunde3d from thier own pockets as assured in the initial press release..

At least it looks like Tsunami money did someone some good..

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Just to point out Song Gran / middle of the month etc have all come and gone..

This seems to have all been swept under the carpet nicely.. I wonder how much of the >2mil was actually refunde3d from thier own pockets as assured in the initial press release..

At least it looks like Tsunami money did someone some good..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

They tidied up the excess contributions

[RDN]

Just to point out Song Gran / middle of the month etc have all come and gone..

This seems to have all been swept under the carpet nicely.. I wonder how much of the >2mil was actually refunde3d from thier own pockets as assured in the initial press release..

At least it looks like Tsunami money did someone some good..

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There are too many bloomin' threads on this subject.

Have a look here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?sh...ndpost&p=330294

I'll close this thread so we can all talk on the same one. (That one, not this one).