Thailand Aims To Seize All Thaksin Fortune

[elnacho]

An example of how Thai courts really work:

EC may forward donation case to Constitution Court

The Constitution Court is likely to be asked to decide on the 258 million baht donation case against the Democrat Party, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond said on Tuesday.

The party is accused of receiving the money, far in excess of the legal 10 million baht maximum, through a third party from TPI Polene in 2005 and to have misused the 29 million baht political development fund from the Election Commission.

Mr Apichart, in his capacity as ex officio political party registrar, said it was unlikely that a working group he set up to look into investigation reports and related documents in the case would finish its work in February, despite working hard on the case.

Mr Apichart said it was likely he would end up forwarding the case to the Constitution Court for a decision whether to dismiss the case against the Democrats, or dissolve the party.

But before forwarding the caswe to the court, he had to ensure all documents were properly prepared and the information presented was clear and beyond doubt. Only then could the court make a quick and fair decision.

Mr Apichart said the working group still had to examine financial documents from the banks.

He complained that the investigation report from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which initially handled the case, was incomplete and inconclusive, making the working group's job more difficult.

The Election Commission late last year resolved that the political party registrar should decide what action is taken in the case. This prompted Mr Apichart to set up a working group to again look into related documents and to recommend what he should do.

Mr Apichart has been pressured by the the Puea Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which claim that he is dragging his feet and applying a double standard which favours the Democrat Party.

TPI Polene, a petrochemical firm, is alleged to have made donations totalling 258 million baht to the Democrats through Messiah Business and Creation Co, an advertising company.

The party faces dissolution and its executives could be banned from political office for five years if it is found guilty of illegally receiving the donation.

Someone please tell me, why does it take Thai courts 5 years to convict the Democrats of receiving illegal "donations", while in just a few months they've managed to convict Thai Rak Thai, PPP, Thaksin, Somchai Wongsawat and Samak Sundaravej? The convicion against Thaksin's BILLIONS is a lot faster than the case of 258 MILLION baht against the Democrats.

And yes, the Democrat party faces dissolution in that court case.

All these months of accusing Thaksin of fraudulently obtaining money and dissolving his parties, then it turns out the Democrats received illegal "donations" (bribes?) and face dissolution themselves.

Imagine the loss of face if that would go through.

Edited February 9, 2010 by elnacho

[LPCustom69]

Thaksin was a rich man even before he came into power

He came into power with an official asset declaration of 545 million baht. While that is rich, that's a puny portion of the frozen 76 billion total.

Dubious ruling or not, I doubt they can seize all of it... I'm sure Thaksin was/is smart enough to stash a healthy nest-egg or two outside of Thailand.

He wasn't too smart if he left the 76 Billion Baht in the country long after he was deposed. His assets weren't frozen for months and months afterwards. It attests to his over-confident, self-delusioned notion that nobody would freeze the money.

He no doubt has more stashed outside the country, but one can hopefully presume it's the lion share of his assets. If it's not, then he stole more money than people could ever imagine.

Thaksin was a failed computer salesman. His money came from stealing the cable company from Monson. The cable company became the satellite company. That money enabled the phone company to happen.

Look up the story about the cable company (and Monson). There have been reports here on Thai Visa about the lawsuit etc.

[PirateNemesis]

Thaksin's lawyer submitted a closing statement on his behalf in late January, denying that the former leader used his power as prime minister to obtain his wealth.

If this is true..............He must be the first in the whole of the history of SE ASIA

[siampolee]

Having lived here for some 20 years I have seen it all. I assure you all that the fortune was indeed amassed by nefarious means honesty and principle did not ever enter Thaksins mind.

Laws amended so as to benefit his personal business interests, trumped up possible exploding planes , cars etc etc.

The ongoing battle is Thaksins attempt to manipulate the pro Thaksin movement and return him ( Thaksin ) to power.When the minions have received their payoffs the vengance attacks will begin, there is no interest in the average man or woman in Thailand , Thaksin is an egomaniac, a meglomaniac with only one target.

The bleeding of Thailand and its people dry, the establishment of his little fiefdom ( perhaps that should read theifdom ? )

I well remember his ( Thaksin ) proud arrogand boast when first introduced to a government position by the then democrat prime minister Chuan Lek Pai, Thaksin said ''I will solve the problem of Bangkoks traffic within six months'' .

What hasn't happened ?

Check out some of Thaksins business associates Adam Khashoggi for one, that may well account for lost in transit arms shipment that recently landed in Thailand.

Check out how much money was made by the inner circle when the ecomnomy collapsed in 1997, indeed some interesting names there too.

Face reality, Thaksin is a dangerous person who actually espouse many of the ideals that a certain Mr Adilf Hitler did, Thaksin is on record as stating how he admired many of Hitlers policies, indeed food for though is it not ?

Edited February 9, 2010 by siampolee

[CLOD]

An example of how Thai courts really work:

EC may forward donation case to Constitution Court

The Constitution Court is likely to be asked to decide on the 258 million baht donation case against the Democrat Party, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond said on Tuesday.

The party is accused of receiving the money, far in excess of the legal 10 million baht maximum, through a third party from TPI Polene in 2005 and to have misused the 29 million baht political development fund from the Election Commission.

Mr Apichart, in his capacity as ex officio political party registrar, said it was unlikely that a working group he set up to look into investigation reports and related documents in the case would finish its work in February, despite working hard on the case.

Mr Apichart said it was likely he would end up forwarding the case to the Constitution Court for a decision whether to dismiss the case against the Democrats, or dissolve the party.

But before forwarding the caswe to the court, he had to ensure all documents were properly prepared and the information presented was clear and beyond doubt. Only then could the court make a quick and fair decision.

Mr Apichart said the working group still had to examine financial documents from the banks.

He complained that the investigation report from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which initially handled the case, was incomplete and inconclusive, making the working group's job more difficult.

The Election Commission late last year resolved that the political party registrar should decide what action is taken in the case. This prompted Mr Apichart to set up a working group to again look into related documents and to recommend what he should do.

Mr Apichart has been pressured by the the Puea Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which claim that he is dragging his feet and applying a double standard which favours the Democrat Party.

TPI Polene, a petrochemical firm, is alleged to have made donations totalling 258 million baht to the Democrats through Messiah Business and Creation Co, an advertising company.

The party faces dissolution and its executives could be banned from political office for five years if it is found guilty of illegally receiving the donation.

Someone please tell me, why does it take Thai courts 5 years to convict the Democrats of receiving illegal "donations", while in just a few months they've managed to convict Thai Rak Thai, PPP, Thaksin, Somchai Wongsawat and Samak Sundaravej? The convicion against Thaksin's BILLIONS is a lot faster than the case of 258 MILLION baht against the Democrats.

And yes, the Democrat party faces dissolution in that court case.

All these months of accusing Thaksin of fraudulently obtaining money and dissolving his parties, then it turns out the Democrats received illegal "donations" (bribes?) and face dissolution themselves.

Imagine the loss of face if that would go through.

Quite so.

This is the most important of all cases in the thai courts.

This case is at the centre of democracy and whether thailand has a legal government.

Because of the consequences its obvious why it has been stalled for so long, while a possibly illegal government fills its boots.

What does it say about "abisit the abuser", and the rest of the democrat MP's.

Not satisfied with walking all over the democratic process, and denying the people elections, neither do they question the status quo.

Very much a bunch of do as I say merchants with no regard for democracy or the people.

There is no democracy in them, if there was they would say enough, and do their duty to the electorate

[marshbags]

Sems to me this thread is rather premature in it,s content and debate.

The O.P. covers what I consider a mischievious article and it does not as of yet, substanciate the facts and the article is misleading re the final verdict ( as and when it is officially released. )

Should the date indicated on what will happen to these assets and who they belong to prove to be correct, we are going to get loads of this stuff posted, over and over based on what I see as very dangerous and seemingly unofficial rumourous propaganda.

Perhaps it should be closed for awhile until the official verdict and it,s conclusions are announced on the date specified by the S. Court on the 26-02-10

We have to be careful we are not creating further rift than is already happening / building up and prematurely setting the fireworks off.

marshbags

P.S.

I got the news feed as did many other relating to this article and as of then when I searched for back up on this story and this includes the Nation of which the majority of our news items come from.

Today it is still not publicating an updates on the thread content re certain recommendations as indeed the other English newspaper isn,t either ???

Yes they both report on Thaksins wife and her assets, but nowhere does it indicate what the O.P. / Article is including in it,s article re certain unofficial recommendations and " wants "

Trouble may / will start soon enough after the verdict is announced of which I personally expect the confiscating of their questionable assets.

Edited February 10, 2010 by marshbags

[CLOD]

Well , let me see now "abused his power to make his fortune".

Have you ever heard anything like it, from a place that is controlled by the Military Junta.

Clearly Taksin didn't have the real power, that has always rested with the Military Junta.

I think more appropriate,

"was allowed and encouraged to abuse his power to make many people's fortunes "

[Loaded]

Whatever the decision, won't it go to appeal and then supreme courts. Thaksin, at best even if he wins, won't see his money for another 10 years. By then the establishment knows he'll be well past his sell-by date. Thai solution to a Thai problem.

[connel707]

GOOD! How about some social programs for the Thai people? It would certainly be a shame if it was distributed amongst the corrupt. Dump some of it towards the Tsunami victims that are still suffering without medical care for lack of funds. I would love to see something done about all the crazy people that society seems to accept as normal street inhabitants. Sadly, I think the feces is going to hit the oscillating rotor, and hard. It's going get nasty, so we all have to be strong. Screw the bastard! This is good news. Other than that I have no opinion.

No. hand it to the poor people of Isaan. The tsunami "victims" are mostly from the affluent Phuket/Krabi areas. They had a good hand out already. However, they charge ridiculous prices for the foreigners there and they have always had money and never contributed anything their own people in Isaan

It is certainly NOT their "own" people in Issan, most Issan people do not think of themselves as Thai... Kamer and Laos maybe.... the music is not Thai, the food is not Thai , and the dancing and customs are sure not Thai origin... its like saying that the Scots are English..... open your eyes.. and Thaksin was a political gangster...give his fortune back to the good USA businessmen he stole it from... right Mr Archer..?

[brahmburgers]

I hope he owns aall those rediculous, ugly, eyesore, pain in the butt, unsightly, inconvenient, dirty, sleezy etc etc........stalls along lower Sukhumvit.......enough is enough sieze them all and burn em !

That's why Bkk property is so overpriced. Strange but true, Albertsen's Razor postulates that: "The worse the living conditions, the greater the property values." People are a strange species indeed.

I hope all hel_l does not break out. He is VERY popular and loved by many. Many Thais remember how good it was when he was in power. I can not offer a opinion on that but many of the Thais I've spoken to, speak very highly of him.

Apparently you haven't spoken with the hundreds who were killed (and their families) for an extra-judicial 'drug war.' Nor have you spoken with the dozens who were killed (and their families) while under military custody, a military which was directly under T's minute by minute control at the time.

Many of the Thais I have spoken with used to be T supporters, but if the subject is broached now, they smile embarrassingly and try to change the subject. Then there are those, like myself (tho am not a Thai) who, from the moment I first heard about Thaksin and his political promises, knew he was crooked to the core.

Edited February 10, 2010 by brahmburgers

[animatic]

They were a couple at the time of the manipulation and hiding of their joint assets.

They were a couple during the run up to his political career.

The majority of his assets were made during this time.

She is known to have controled large amounts of the 'family funds'.

Including hiding them and investing them.

Just because she is not married to him SINCE these acts, doesn't invalidate

clalms against her assets in concert with him. Because SHE did participate then.

I see the red land side is trying to turn this into a Dems case as a distraction.

Of course there are no leaders still in the party involved in this case,

that makes it very curious what decision could be made.

If the people alledgedly responsible are not in the party now,

how can the party be dissolved, since it's leadership had nothing to do

with any alleged actions? Also the question of whether this law applied then or not.

Certainly those who did illegal actions then can be banned, if the case is proved.

A party organization is different than a marriage in a legal sense,

so they are not directly comparable. As much as some would wish it.

[Kf6vci]

Come on, T. was a billionaire before he became PM.

This reminds me of events in Russia with oil companies...

[katasyd]

Press Release

Bangkok - October 30, 2008….11:15 AM

Thaksin’s Associates Face Criminal Complaint

A complaint was filed today with the Thai Supreme Court by Nataporn Toeprayoon, attorney for William L. Monson, a former business partner of Thaksin Shinawatra. The Supreme Court convicted Thaksin of corruption charges last week. Named in the Complaint are Chalerm Yubumrang, the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT), its Board Members, International Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), now TrueVision, and others. The charges stem from a Cable TV contract granted illegally by MCOT to IBC in 1989. The concession became the base for Thaksin’s telecommunications empire. Monson has fought a long legal battle with Thaksin and his companies in both Thai and US courts. Monson’s company Clearview International Ltd., pioneered telecommunications in Asia in the 1980’s. Starting in 1982 Clearview worked with MCOT to develop the framework to introduce the technology. In late 1985, when Thaksin was still a policeman, a joint venture between Monson’s companies and Thaksin’s (Shinawatra Computer and IBC) became the first Wireless Cable TV system to go on air in Asia. A government delay caused the partnership to be terminated with Thaksin’s companies selling their interest to Monson’s companies. Thaksin was paid to help clear the government blocks while Monson operated a company delivering CNN to Hotels in Bangkok. In mid 1988 Chalerm, Thaksin’s friend and fellow policeman became the Minister overseeing MCOT and its Chairman of the Board. Later, Thaksin informed Monson that he was going to operate the Cable TV concession himself. When Monson asked about the contracts and payments from Clearview to Thaksin for the business, Thaksin’s response was “This is Thailand”. After Chalerm became the Minister overseeing MCOT he reversed MCOT approval of Clearview for the contract corrupting the process of granting the concession for Clearview’s benefit. Police confiscated Monson’s equipment and filed Criminal Charges against him and his staff. After 7 years the Supreme Court cleared them of all these charges. During this period it was extremely difficult for Monson to travel to and do business in Thailand. Civil courts have ruled that Monson’s company owned the equipment. Thaksin’s IBC received the concession using Monson’s equipment and without bidding. When IBC went Public the value of the company in the Stock Market was $760,000,000 USD giving Thaksin the base for his future telecom empire. Monson claims losses of $4.5 billion USD dollars.

On December 1, 2008 the Court accepted the case and appointed the Counter Corruption Commission to investigate.

Press Release Bangkok – June 17th, 2009 Thai Supreme Court Rejects Shinawatra Appeal The Thai Supreme Court issued a ruling today in a long running dispute between William Monson and Thaksin Shinawatra, et. al. Lower Courts had ruled that Monson’s company owned telecom equipment required to obtain a license granted by the Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT) in 1989. The Supreme Court rejected Shinawatra’s appeal. Ownership of the equipment is at the heart of Criminal Charges filed (October 2008) with another division of the Supreme Court handling corrupt public officials. Shinawatra had always claimed that Monson had stolen the equipment and testified in a number of legal suits to that fact. Because of long legal delays, Thaksin was able to avoid perjury charges based on a statute of limitation legal defense, even though Thai Courts have ruled in Monson’s favor over the ownership issues. The Supreme Court division handling corrupt government officials has accepted the Criminal case filed October 20th 2008 and sent it to the Counter Corruption Commission for investigation. A report from the Counter Corruption Commission to the Prosecuting Attorney is expected soon so that the case can be presented to the Supreme Court for action.

This is Thailand.

Just a common thief with friends in high places.

[MILT]

GOOD! How about some social programs for the Thai people? It would certainly be a shame if it was distributed amongst the corrupt. Dump some of it towards the Tsunami victims that are still suffering without medical care for lack of funds. I would love to see something done about all the crazy people that society seems to accept as normal street inhabitants. Sadly, I think the feces is going to hit the oscillating rotor, and hard. It's going get nasty, so we all have to be strong. Screw the bastard! This is good news. Other than that I have no opinion.

Even maybe distribute to the people of the North and NE. School programs, Drug education, Sports complex, after school programs, fix the roads. Create a real internet infrastructure, Rebuild the tourist sector. National lottery???? Then I woke up

[Brewsta]

I hope there is a ton of mayhem (I be out of the country) and there are two or three more coups, airports shut down and the baht floating around the 55 mark when I get back. Fingers Crossed!

I assume that you are joking? Those of us who live here would prefer that none of your infantile predictions come to pass.....been enough death and disruption already.

Why don't you get on that plane today, just in case.

Brewsta

[marshbags]

Come on, T. was a billionaire before he became PM.

This reminds me of events in Russia with oil companies...

Ahh but it,s how you come by your billions that counts in legal terms that ascertains the rights and wrongs, no matter where they begin.

Come the 26th of Feb. should the date prove to be the correct one, this will be a time to question the rights and wrongs of probable confiscation of what is after all only a small part of the assets gained while in office.

marshbags

[MILT]

The Thai government is pompously declaring that they are going to seize all of Mr. Thaksin's money because he got it thorough graft. He owned a telecom giant and sold it, legally. If anything is illegal, it is probably the government's entire case against Thaksin. I am not a fan of old "square face," but he is no worse than any other highly-positioned Thai. As graft and corruption are SOP in Thailand, the government trying to seize his money is probably the purest case of irony I have seen in a long time. I will now sit back and watch the real-life Thai soap opera

Nicely put and I totally agree. :D

COMING SOON,Real story to show how MR.TS created his telecom empire. Very Shameful indeed, just another scammer on a high dollar level.

[MILT]

Thaksin was a rich man even before he came into power, and the governments claim to his entire fortune is spurious indeed. I also find it a little disturbing how you all accept what should be a fair trial as a foregone conclusion and see no problem in doing so. I think you have all been in Thailand a little too long.

Perhaps a look at how he got rich. Check out the Superioir Court Judgement in the US about the 1.5Bn he scammed from the Satellite provider and then look at how he promised funds to the poor - when he got elected - which he did - Baht 1M per village and gues what - they all got their share and bought mobile phones! Who owned the phone company?

Have a look at his Dissertation for his Masters and you will see the 'profile' of a man who is against the 'system'. Do some DD before making comments like you have here.

The man is convicted by a Thai Court under its French Romanesque system (no jury) thus less likely to be claimed the jury was paid off which in this case, works! He did a runner and innocent people do not 'run away'. Now he is funding a private vendetta to keep the 'wealth'. Does someone need to draw you a picture?

Nicely put. I have been waiting to see the truth of Mr.Ts origin of wealth. From Cop to richest man in Thailand, how does that work?

[paulandmaneerat]

The headline of this thread - Thailand aims to seize all Thaksin fortune is very misleading. It gives the impression that the decision is done and dusted. The date for the decision to be announced is February 26th, so nobody in the general public should know 'Thailand's aims' until then. Let's wait and see before resorting to presumptive and sensationalist headlines. Plenty of time for attention grabbing headlines on the day.

P&M

[animatic]

It sure wasn't just because he married up... which he did.

Her uncle was a top cop if I remember and so nepotism won police computer contracts.

At each stage he moved a little more corruptly.

[marshbags]

The headline of this thread - Thailand aims to seize all Thaksin fortune is very misleading. It gives the impression that the decision is done and dusted. The date for the decision to be announced is February 26th, so nobody in the general public should know 'Thailand's aims' until then. Let's wait and see before resorting to presumptive and sensationalist headlines. Plenty of time for attention grabbing headlines on the day.

P&M

See posts 156 and 166 ( the bold highlight ) to compliment this important observation.

marshbags

[coconutmonkey]

FOr those living in Disneyland instead of Thailand, it must be amazing to see that media spend so much attention on a soap opera. Given the fact that the Thai courts are not independent at all and the elite is jealous it is no surprise that the assets will be seized. It makes Thailand in the eyes of a business community even more of a failed state. Parallels can be drawn with the Cordocovsky case in Russia. A very popular man who dared to go into politics and threatened the crooked political elite. We all know how that ended. At least Thaksin was smart enough to go abroad.

It would be wiser when the sponsors of the democrat party would be punished. I am talking not only about the company who screwed the banks and people out of billions of dollars and was able to donate a significant sum, but also to the gentleman living in London who became filthy rich from an pyramid scheme.

Given the fact that not one court is free on interference that prosecutors are cowards dancing to the tune of anyone in power and judges pay for the privilege to be appointed, the outcome is crystal clear.

Interesting comment. In essence, I agree; the whole system is biased, corrupt and faulty right way back from the word 'Go'. The military, the ruling elite, the siding of unnamed influential peoples, the coups, the 2006 coup in particular, the gain of wealth, the war on drugs, the distribution of wealth, the corruption, the jealousy......

The buying of fire-trucks, griffin jets, bomb scanners, useless air blimps, the prosecution of those involved and lack of accountability taken of the Santika fire, the Rowinga boat people, the Karen refugees, the killing of 13 Burmese last month, the 50 who suffocated in the truck in Ranong, the grenade conflicts at the Klong Teoi market, the killing of lawyers..... whatever! continue the list!

What about that which isn't heard about.....? Just social change? No, a whole system. A whole political, social, economic revolution! Yeah, right.

The corrupt will simply seize the assets of the other corrupt.

[MILT]

Thaksin was a rich man even before he came into power, and the governments claim to his entire fortune is spurious indeed. I also find it a little disturbing how you all accept what should be a fair trial as a foregone conclusion and see no problem in doing so. I think you have all been in Thailand a little too long.

What do they pay ex policemen where you come from????...... Enough to parlay it to billions ?????

A very lucky man to win the national lotteries in so many countries, and so many times...

Do some research on the man before making these kinds of posts, and you will find where he (legitimately) got his money from. The 'old guard' Thai establishment didn't like him, because he was already immensely wealthy, and used his family in positions where he needed someone to trust, rather than accept the graft and corruption that permeates all levels of Thai society. The final straw was when he won a second election (a first for Thailand), and with an absolute majority (yet another first for Thailand), and didn't have to resort to coalitions with other parties (for which read handing out ministry's/budgets etc etc) that Thailand had before, and has yet again (witness the Public Health ministry scandal, the Bangkok bus purchase/lease shamble).

If I recall Mr.TS barely won his first election because of graft/corruption i.e.. hiding monies. Just inched in really. Short memories

[ding]

Do I smell a BTS extension completion!

[longway]

Throughout his tenures as PM I believe he only declared personal assests of about 500-600 million baht. Yet once ousted, even without the 76 billion baht, he seemed to have access to vasts sums of money.

He stated in an recent interview he was down to last $ 100 million or so, did he not?.

[tonglen]

Those assets would buy alot of khao grapow!

[Brewsta]

FOr those living in Disneyland instead of Thailand, it must be amazing to see that media spend so much attention on a soap opera. Given the fact that the Thai courts are not independent at all and the elite is jealous it is no surprise that the assets will be seized. It makes Thailand in the eyes of a business community even more of a failed state. Parallels can be drawn with the Cordocovsky case in Russia. A very popular man who dared to go into politics and threatened the crooked political elite. We all know how that ended. At least Thaksin was smart enough to go abroad.

It would be wiser when the sponsors of the democrat party would be punished. I am talking not only about the company who screwed the banks and people out of billions of dollars and was able to donate a significant sum, but also to the gentleman living in London who became filthy rich from an pyramid scheme.

Given the fact that not one court is free on interference that prosecutors are cowards dancing to the tune of anyone in power and judges pay for the privilege to be appointed, the outcome is crystal clear.

Interesting comment. In essence, I agree; the whole system is biased, corrupt and faulty right way back from the word 'Go'. The military, the ruling elite, the siding of unnamed influential peoples, the coups, the 2006 coup in particular, the gain of wealth, the war on drugs, the distribution of wealth, the corruption, the jealousy......

The buying of fire-trucks, griffin jets, bomb scanners, useless air blimps, the prosecution of those involved and lack of accountability taken of the Santika fire, the Rowinga boat people, the Karen refugees, the killing of 13 Burmese last month, the 50 who suffocated in the truck in Ranong, the grenade conflicts at the Klong Teoi market, the killing of lawyers..... whatever! continue the list!

What about that which isn't heard about.....? Just social change? No, a whole system. A whole political, social, economic revolution! Yeah, right.

The corrupt will simply seize the assets of the other corrupt.

When I first lived in Bangkok 1987, forums like this were confined to quiet Thai & farang convos....nowadays, widespread media like TV, radio, internet, etc spread social commentary and change a lot faster to a lot more people.

Not all resulting change is good, but at least there is awareness and some involvement for and from the poorer elements of this country....slowly, slowly and with hope for a brighter future? I hope so.

Brewsta

[boris52]

The government will be made to look like criminals if they get away with this.

[ratcatcher]

The government will be made to look like criminals if they get away with this.

You mean a government seizing money from a criminal is a crime?

[hammered]

An example of how Thai courts really work:

EC may forward donation case to Constitution Court

The Constitution Court is likely to be asked to decide on the 258 million baht donation case against the Democrat Party, Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond said on Tuesday.

The party is accused of receiving the money, far in excess of the legal 10 million baht maximum, through a third party from TPI Polene in 2005 and to have misused the 29 million baht political development fund from the Election Commission.

Mr Apichart, in his capacity as ex officio political party registrar, said it was unlikely that a working group he set up to look into investigation reports and related documents in the case would finish its work in February, despite working hard on the case.

Mr Apichart said it was likely he would end up forwarding the case to the Constitution Court for a decision whether to dismiss the case against the Democrats, or dissolve the party.

But before forwarding the caswe to the court, he had to ensure all documents were properly prepared and the information presented was clear and beyond doubt. Only then could the court make a quick and fair decision.

Mr Apichart said the working group still had to examine financial documents from the banks.

He complained that the investigation report from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), which initially handled the case, was incomplete and inconclusive, making the working group's job more difficult.

The Election Commission late last year resolved that the political party registrar should decide what action is taken in the case. This prompted Mr Apichart to set up a working group to again look into related documents and to recommend what he should do.

Mr Apichart has been pressured by the the Puea Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which claim that he is dragging his feet and applying a double standard which favours the Democrat Party.

TPI Polene, a petrochemical firm, is alleged to have made donations totalling 258 million baht to the Democrats through Messiah Business and Creation Co, an advertising company.

The party faces dissolution and its executives could be banned from political office for five years if it is found guilty of illegally receiving the donation.

Someone please tell me, why does it take Thai courts 5 years to convict the Democrats of receiving illegal "donations", while in just a few months they've managed to convict Thai Rak Thai, PPP, Thaksin, Somchai Wongsawat and Samak Sundaravej? The convicion against Thaksin's BILLIONS is a lot faster than the case of 258 MILLION baht against the Democrats.

And yes, the Democrat party faces dissolution in that court case.

All these months of accusing Thaksin of fraudulently obtaining money and dissolving his parties, then it turns out the Democrats received illegal "donations" (bribes?) and face dissolution themselves.

Imagine the loss of face if that would go through.

The allegation was only made fairly recently, so no investigation could be started when nobody was aware of it. The Thaksin case has been under investigation quite some time longer and is only just coming to conclusion. That is the way the law works I am afraid.

By the way there are people in the elite and military who would quite happily see the Dems disolved. There are plenty of players in theis power struggle and it isnt a simple two sided affair some make out.