Former Thai Interior Minister Snoh Faces Lawsuit Over Dubious Land Purchase

[webfact]

ALPHINE CONTROVERSY

Snoh faces lawsuit over dubious land purchase

By Kesinee Tangkhio

The Nation

The Supreme Court decided yesterday to launch a judicial review against former interior minister Snoh Thienthong for allegedly abusing his authority to purchase two plots of land that were supposedly donated to a temple.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders ruled that the court had the authority to try the case, which was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on August 20. The first hearing has been scheduled for November 19.

The NACC alleged that Snoh abused his authority and ordered the Pathum Thani land office to not let the Thammikaram Temple accept two plots of land that were donated by Nuam Chamnarnsakda. Snoh later bought the land and turned it into the Alpine Golf Course.

Nuam stated in her will, dated November 20, 1969,that she wanted to donate 927 rai of her land in Pathum Thani's Klong Luang district to the temple.

This case has been put in the hands of Thanit Kesawapithak, who oversees consumer-related cases in court, and eight other Supreme Court judges. Snoh's lawyers initially argued the statute of limitations had expired and it was too late for NACC to sue Snoh.

However, the judges ignored this issue and accepted the lawsuit because it had been submitted in line with the procedural code for trying criminal cases against political office holders.

NACC lawyer Polrat Chanthep said the controversy over the statute of limitations could hold the case back. Besides, opinions remained divided between those who stuck to the Council of State and land laws.

"This case happened a long time ago. Some of the witnesses have already died. However, the legal team will meet to discuss the testimonies. Even if Snoh turns to the Office of the Attorney-General to block the case over the statute of limitations, the legal team does not feel pressured. Everyone is doing their duty," he said.

Deputy Attorney-General Waiyawut Lortrakul said the attorneys could not be witnesses and should base the defence on what really happened.

-- The Nation 2010-09-17

[Buchholz]

The principles involved in the Alpine Golf land scandal:

Nuam Chamnanchartsakda, the original owner of the land in Pathum Thani on which the golf course and a housing estate were built. She had, in her will, given 732 rai to Wat Thammikaram in Prachuap Khiri Khan in 1971.

former Thai Rak Thai Party MP and current Pracharaj Party Party Leader Snoh Thienthong

former Thai Rak Thai Party Party Leader and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

former Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry and this week re-re-elected Pheu Thai Party Party Leader Yongyuth Wichaidit

[thaihome]

The principles involved in the Alpine Golf land scandal:

I believe that would be the principals.

TH

[Valentine]

The principles involved in the Alpine Golf land scandal:

I believe that would be the principals.

TH

Yes there certainly does not appear to be any principle involved in this whole sorry affair.

[SomTumTiger]

Bwhahahaha - Snoh - the man who continually volunteers himself to be PM of a unity government, with his hand in the cookie jar. Remember when Snoh threw that "Party" to get people to talk coalition, and nobody showed up?

[Buchholz]

Court accepts suit against Sanoh over Alpine land scandal

BANGKOK, 16 September 2010 (NNT) - The Supreme Court has accepted the case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong for malfeasance over the Alpine land dispute.

The NACC earlier sought prosecution against Mr Sanoh over his involvement in the Alpine Golf Club land acquisition controversy. The commission found that the Pracharaj Party leader had abused his power and violated the Criminal Code.

According to the lawsuit, Mr Sanoh intervened in the Department of Land’s operation while acting as Deputy Interior Minister 20 years ago in order to obtain a 732-rai land plot. The NACC found that the land was later sold to Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club, in which the Pracharaj leader, his family members and close aides were major shareholders.

The controversial land plot at Alpine Golf Club was initially owned by Ms Noem Chamnanchatsakda, who granted it to Thammikaram Temple in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The temple later sought to register the land as a monastic property but the move was blocked by the then Deputy Interior Minister.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions today accepted the case for deliberation and set 19 November for the first hearing.

-- NNT 2010-09-16

[brahmburgers]

20 years to decide to press charges. Sounds like Thailand.

[scorecard]

This leech was Minister for Transport many years back.

Quickly after occupying the big chair he instructed the ministry to massively raise the weight load limit / axle load limit for large trucks.

Guess who owned the biggest transport company in Thailand at the time? The man himself!

He got massive criticism from respected civil engineers and more. He ignored the criticism and the load limits were raised.

[SamritT]

>10 years. The case is no longer valid.

[Phuket Stan]

>10 years. The case is no longer valid.

Statute of Limitation in Thailand is 20 years...the case was filed a few days before it ran out

[rubl]

This leech was Minister for Transport many years back.

Quickly after occupying the big chair he instructed the ministry to massively raise the weight load limit / axle load limit for large trucks.

Guess who owned the biggest transport company in Thailand at the time? The man himself!

He got massive criticism from respected civil engineers and more. He ignored the criticism and the load limits were raised.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it one of his companies which transported most of the landfill needed to make the Cobra Swamp suitable for a world-class airport ?

[asiawatcher]

>10 years. The case is no longer valid.

There is no statute of limitation in criminal offenses in most countries so not sure about Thailand. If it is a commercial claim i.e. the temple suing the scammers, yes. But in the case of misappropriation it is generally considered to be within the law to prosecute. I hope so - these people are a law unto themselves and of course there will now be more muck raking against the Dems and yellows in retaliation - I wish this country would grow a brain and start putting these sort of people in jail and throw away the key! Thailand would be better off for it.

[hoaker]

A clear cut example of Thailand not following their own laws and constitutes. Here it is how the judicial emotions feel, forget statutes made in writing by their own ancestors. Why bother mention limitations when its not gonna be followed anyway. Wil and testaments are suppose to be fiduciary obligations of the probate court. Where tha F*&K is justice? The main goal of politicians is to maintain the poor being poor....

[Phuket Stan]

>10 years. The case is no longer valid.

There is no statute of limitation in criminal offenses in most countries so not sure about Thailand. If it is a commercial claim i.e. the temple suing the scammers, yes. But in the case of misappropriation it is generally considered to be within the law to prosecute. I hope so - these people are a law unto themselves and of course there will now be more muck raking against the Dems and yellows in retaliation - I wish this country would grow a brain and start putting these sort of people in jail and throw away the key! Thailand would be better off for it.

There is with commercial cases....the Law Association bought these charges because the OAG would not even with the urging of of one of the investigation bodies NACC...this case has always smelt stronger than rotten fish...the case was filed within a few days of the 20 years expiring..... a lot of press about it at the time...am to lazy to Google it because it just keeps going and going

Edited September 17, 2010 by Phuket Stan

[Seanextra]

Outrageous to think any ministers are corrupt even here but boy won't there be some money changing hands over this one and the ones to follow !

[TheBarbarian]

Thai politics is motion. Chuan is still pissed off that King Maker Sanoh brought Chavalit in power and was and still is smarter than the crooked Sanan his parties king maker. Nothing happened for 6 years till Chuan and Suthep were back and see they are picking their fight again. In the meantime they show utterly disregard for all those of hundreds of people who bought a house (and not just big houses) on the complex they will stand to lose their home without compensation. Luckily the DP will soon no longer exist. Suthep/Chuan are picking fights with the wrong people. Sooner or later they will be corrected in a nasty way.

[Arkady]

Thai politics is motion. Chuan is still pissed off that King Maker Sanoh brought Chavalit in power and was and still is smarter than the crooked Sanan his parties king maker. Nothing happened for 6 years till Chuan and Suthep were back and see they are picking their fight again. In the meantime they show utterly disregard for all those of hundreds of people who bought a house (and not just big houses) on the complex they will stand to lose their home without compensation. Luckily the DP will soon no longer exist. Suthep/Chuan are picking fights with the wrong people. Sooner or later they will be corrected in a nasty way.

I think there was a plan several years ago to allow the home owners to stay on with long leases. The most prominent of these "innocent" parties is Snoh himself who has a massive mansion at Alpine Golf. I don't think there are any modest dwellings on the property. Whatever the political reasons for resurrecting this, it is a very clear case of abuse of power and theft from a temple it would set a good example to secure some convictions, although the chances are slim.

[TAWP]

The red fans are already out and defending corruption of elite politicians...ironic.

[hammered]

This is one of the worst cases of elite privilege abuse the counbtry has seen. It will be a test of the principles of the red supporters to see what they say. The case makes Sarayuds house pale in comparison, so I expect the reds to support action against the Ammat who abused their positions in this case. If on the other hand the reds stay quiet over this or try defending those involved it will show they arent ideological at all. An interesting test indeed.

[brahmburgers]

This is one of the worst cases of elite privilege abuse the country has seen. It will be a test of the principles of the red supporters to see what they say. The case makes Sarayuds house pale in comparison, so I expect the reds to support action against the Ammat who abused their positions in this case. If on the other hand the reds stay quiet over this or try defending those involved it will show they aren't ideological at all. An interesting test indeed.

The Reds will see it as a black and white scenario. One of their leaders is facing legal ramifications, so naturally, the Reds will bend over backwards to try and justify what he did - particularly as a conviction for Snoh will further tarnish Thaksin's already blackened reputation. Thai politics is quite clannish and often immature. How often does it happen that a big shot admits doing something improper and/or accepting the consequences like a mature adult? Never.

[swerver]

This leech was Minister for Transport many years back.

Quickly after occupying the big chair he instructed the ministry to massively raise the weight load limit / axle load limit for large trucks.

Guess who owned the biggest transport company in Thailand at the time? The man himself!

He got massive criticism from respected civil engineers and more. He ignored the criticism and the load limits were raised.

How well I remember.

Yes the weight limit was raised at that time with no increases in number of tires on the road – that was 20 years ago.

Now 2010 more common sense seems to steer this road weigh limit and now see many semi (tractor-trailer) units having 3 axles in tandem under the trailer, and of late you see tractors with tandem front axles, making 24-tires on the road for better load distribution.

[rubl]

This leech was Minister for Transport many years back.

Quickly after occupying the big chair he instructed the ministry to massively raise the weight load limit / axle load limit for large trucks.

Guess who owned the biggest transport company in Thailand at the time? The man himself!

He got massive criticism from respected civil engineers and more. He ignored the criticism and the load limits were raised.

How well I remember.

Yes the weight limit was raised at that time with no increases in number of tires on the road � that was 20 years ago.

Now 2010 more common sense seems to steer this road weigh limit and now see many semi (tractor-trailer) units having 3 axles in tandem under the trailer, and of late you see tractors with tandem front axles, making 24-tires on the road for better load distribution.

not really related to OP, but what the heck:

http://www.cargonewsasia.com/timesnet/data/cna/docs/cna3564.html

[hammered]

If anyone ever wants to see an end to double standards in Thailand then this case is a very good start. Just getting it back in the news again is a good thing and example of what should never be allowed to happen again and exposing the Ammat and their corrupt ways too

[Buchholz]

If anyone ever wants to see an end to double standards in Thailand then this case is a very good start. Just getting it back in the news again is a good thing and example of what should never be allowed to happen again and exposing the Ammat and their corrupt ways too

Very true.

I'm curious as to whether this issue might cause Yongyuth to re-re-resign his post as Party Leader of the Pheu Thai Party.

[Ricardo]

The red fans are already out and defending corruption of elite politicians...ironic.

Quite. When it was former-PM Sorayud, who had a similar problem, there was a lot of criticism from members who lean towards the Red-Shirt persuasion. But that was exposed and resolved properly, with the land returned to the rightful owner, the state.

Now that the boot's on the other foot, suddenly there is a strange silence, or protestations about the hundreds of innocent home-owners who might be affected, and the suggestion that anyone who makes waves might be "corrected in a nasty way".

This is surely a clear-case of double-standards, and of a certain fugitive 'fighter for justice', who doesn't expect to have the same standards applied to himself.

Posters who really want justice, and to reduce Thailand's rampant hi-so/elite corruption, will surely not continue to remain silent ?

[asiawatcher]

Snoh's snow job....

[Sabre]

>10 years. The case is no longer valid.

There is no statute of limitation in criminal offenses in most countries so not sure about Thailand.

Forgive me for saying this but you are misinformed.

Most crimes are subject to a statute of limitations in most countries in the world. Major felonies such as murder and manslaughter are not usually subject to a statute of limitations. Usually the statutes allow for a prosecution anyway in special circumstances.