Thaksin Assets-case Hearing Today

[MaiChai]

Thai government is a bit strapped for cash at the moment so the Thaksin windfall will come in handy Especially to pay all those government employees who almost didn't get paid recently.

[Artisi]

So waza mate. Your theory is people want to emulate historical figures by virtue of having the same name as them?

I'd better tell my pal Elvis Wilson to start practising his pelvis wiggle then.

And as for Genghis Jones the milkman. My advice is don't complain that he didn't leave any gold top.

Different name, different spelling, different pronounciation and in a vastly different league.

Edited January 12, 2010 by Artisi

[webfact]

TRIAL ON THAKSIN'S BT76B ASSETS

Thaksin's judgement day

By Kesinee Taengkhiew

The Nation

Published on January 13, 2010

The last four prosecution witnesses yesterday wrapped up their testimony in ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's Bt76-billion asset case before the Supreme Court, which said it would deliver its verdict on February 26.

Former information and communications-technology (ICT) minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom and Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) vice president Somkiat Tangkitvanich told the court the excise tax policy on telecom services implemented by Thaksin as prime minister prevented fair competition and benefited his family's telecom business.

He said state-owned TOT and CAT Telecom also suffered from the policy, under which telecom concession fees paid to the state enterprises was converted into excise tax. This meant both agencies became financially weak and could not serve the public efficiently.

Sitthichai, who reversed the policy after taking up the ICT portfolio in Surayud Chulanont's government, said the excise tax measure effectively discouraged new competitors, especially foreign giants, from entering the Thai telecom market. The excise tax ceiling was as high as 50 per cent, which could be adjusted by the Cabinet.

"Foreign investors could not come here, because the measure was meticulously designed to prevent

In this landmark case, prosecutors have accused Thaksin and his ex-wife, Pojaman na Pombejra, of hiding their massive wealth illegally during the ex-PM's time in public office. In addition, they alleged Thaksin had abused his power for the benefit of Shin Corp, the parent company of Advanced Info Service, Shin Satellite (ShinSat) and other units, before selling the conglomerate off to Singapore's Temasek Holding in 2006.

Regarding the iPSTAR satellite owned by ShinSat, Sitthichai said a panel set up by his ministry had found it was not a "reserve" satellite as stipulated in the concession contract between the state and ShinSat.

However, iPSTAR could have been regarded as the main satellite, so it would have required a new concession before it could be launched into orbit.

The other prosecution witness, the TDRI's Somkiat, told the court that excise tax collection on telecom services was inconsistent with the master plan on telecom-sector development. He believes the policy helped existing private telecom firms boost their profits, because new competition was curbed.

Meanwhile, a source close to Thaksin said a team of lawyers was preparing a closing statement in which the fugitive ex-premier and his family would defend the integrity of the source of their Bt76-billion assets.

The lawyers will insist that prior to assuming the premiership on February 9, 2001, the assets had been transferred to Thaksin's children and other relatives.

The source said the former premier was worried about the outcome of this case, because there was political pressure during the investigation by the Assets Examination Committee installed after the September 19, 2006 coup.

Given that the court has set February 26 for delivering a verdict, Pojaman and other members of Shinawatra family are thinking about whether they should attend the session in person.

-- The Nation 2010-01-13

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[NADTATIDA1]

I dont think he gives two hoots if he gets "his" money back.

his agenda here is far more sinister than that,all i can see is delay after delay,but who knows what dealings have been going on in the background.

He is playing this one out and wants it to run and run,the troops are rallying slowly but surely!

Have to disagree with you,thats all its about Thaksin getting his money back.

So you think either way if he gets his money or not.....thats it he will be happy and fade away?

Never in 76 bt million years!

[Siripon]

I dont think he gives two hoots if he gets "his" money back.

his agenda here is far more sinister than that,all i can see is delay after delay,but who knows what dealings have been going on in the background.

He is playing this one out and wants it to run and run,the troops are rallying slowly but surely!

Have to disagree with you,thats all its about Thaksin getting his money back.

So you think either way if he gets his money or not.....thats it he will be happy and fade away?

Never in 76 bt million years!

He'll fade away if he has no money to pay for the red protests. An army cannot march on an empty stomach.

[Old Man River]

I dont think he gives two hoots if he gets "his" money back.

You have to be kidding. That is all he cares about.

I am entitled to my opinion as sir/madam so are you

I am missing something. Where did I ever say you aren't entitled to your opinion?

It is all about getting his money back. That is paramount for him to be able to move forward in the manner he did before (from a position of strength). If he doesn't get it (and I agree, he won't), then his tactics are from a much weaker position.

Thaksin will continue to fight to get his money regardless of the court decision as he doesn't think the constitution put in place after the coup is legal. He will continue to seek a rollback to the 1997 constitution and return of his money.

[animatic]

Yes, attend the Feb 26th session, and then get another shell shocked look on the face when the pile goes bye bye.

So many reasons why they should not have so much wealth.

In any case some questions are:

How much did they have before he took office and started hiding it?

Next how did he amass that much back then?

How much did he have overseas/off-shore illegally?

How much insider info did he have in 1997 when the devaluation happened?

How did he keep that from being publicly shown?

Do we know of all his off-shore companies and accounts?

Who had signing powers for these accounts and companies?

Who was the actual controller of these companies and accounts?

It seems the abuse of power in office charges are backed up by this weeks statements by ministers.

But the justices want to write bullet proof verdict statements and compare them and rewrite even tighter.

So we get a month and a half to let the charged parties squirm a bit longer.

Edited January 13, 2010 by animatic

[connel707]

Time for a poll.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3262302

//flaming question... deleted by Admin//

[TAWP]

Time for a poll.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3262302

//flaming question... deleted by Admin//

Don't hold back, tell us what you really think.

[Old Man River]

I dont think he gives two hoots if he gets "his" money back.

his agenda here is far more sinister than that,all i can see is delay after delay,but who knows what dealings have been going on in the background.

He is playing this one out and wants it to run and run,the troops are rallying slowly but surely!

Have to disagree with you,thats all its about Thaksin getting his money back.

So you think either way if he gets his money or not.....thats it he will be happy and fade away?

Never in 76 bt million years!

He'll fade away if he has no money to pay for the red protests. An army cannot march on an empty stomach.

Khun Siripon, he will never fade away. The Red Shirts might eventually, but Thaksin has a lot of family in Bangkok and not all of their stomach's are empty. The Red Shirt movement is a conduit for Thaksin. If it ceases to be effective for him, he will seek alternative methods to overturn court decisions based on what he thinks to be an illegal constitution. There is simply too much money involved for him and his family to ever give up. Some sort of compromise needs to be arranged or this will never end.

[eTiMaGo]

I say economic stimulus, to be divided among all the people of the country... would be soooo nicely ironic...

[overhaul38]

I need some money so someone bet me that the court will not take Thaksin's billions.

There is no way the Thai Gov. will let Thaksin keep any or all of the money.

Maybe they will use the money to pave the road through some of the villages with the money or provide potable drinking water, or medical care for the poor or buy a submarine .....pick one....

[eTiMaGo]

I need some money so someone bet me that the court will not take Thaksin's billions.

There is no way the Thai Gov. will let Thaksin keep any or all of the money.

Maybe they will use the money to pave the road through some of the villages with the money or provide potable drinking water, or medical care for the poor or buy a submarine .....pick one....

submarine... national phallic symbols trump the well-being of poor villagers

[Publicus]

This trial balloon about Thaksin and the ex trying to get their feet back on Thai soil by attending the court's announcement is a laffer from the get-go   .   The government only recently requested his extradition from Cambodia, which was quickly denied. Thaksin simply will have to settle for getting the bad news for him via mass media or by mobile phone.  

Even if Thaksin were to agree to do his prison time, or some of it, and if the reds and others made clear they would accept Thaksin in the slammer, then the government might allow his return - however, even any such agreement would be suspect. Neither has Thaksin begun his Long March from the border at Isaan to Bangkok to restore 'democracy', nor would he ever.

Any part of Thai soil Thaksin sets foot on would immediately become quicksand.

[webfact]

Please continue to read the new topic/developments:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-s-Ju...ay-t329644.html

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