Bt823 Million Returned To Thaksin'S Ex-Wife Pojaman

[george]

Bt823 million returned to Thaksin's ex-wife

BANGKOK, Oct 7 - The Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) on Thursday said it has returned Bt823 million (US$27.4 million) to the ex-wife of Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after it decided not to appeal the court ruling that the ex-premier's former wife must return plots of land to the FIDF.

Bank of Thailand (BoT) Deputy Governor Thong-urai Limpiti, as the fund manager, said the FIDF board resolved not to appeal the court verdict as advised by the Office of the Attorney-General and the central bank's legal department.

The Civil Court last month ruled that the purchase agreement for plots of Ratchadapisek land between the FIDF and Khunying Pojaman na Pombejra was invalidated as it had violated Article 100 of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act that government officials, including prime ministers and their spouses, are prohibited from entering into or having an interest in contracts with state agencies under their supervision.

According to the ruling, the four title deeds covering a total of 33 rai in the prime Ratchadapisek area, Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district, purchased by Khunying Pojaman must be returned to the FIDF which will in turn reimburse her the Bt772 million (US$25.7 million) purchase price and pay 7.5 per cent interest retroactively from Nov 25, 2009 when Khunying Potjaman filed suit against the FIDF to return the money, or about Bt51 million (US$1.7 million).

"The reasons why we do not appeal and return the money plus interest (to Khunying Pojaman) is because the Attorney General said the civil court ruling is in accordance with the facts and the law," said Mrs Thong-urai.

The BoT deputy governor said the return of money to Khunying Pojaman gives more advantage to the FIDF than appealing the court verdict, citing the interest will be increased if the case is prolonged.

The overall cost paid to the ex-premier's former wife is also lower than the current land estimated price assessed by the Department of Lands at Bt900 million, according to Mrs Thong-urai.

The civil court ruling came after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on Oct 21, 2008 sentenced Thaksin to two years in prison for abuse of authority by helping his then wife purchase the land at a discounted price. But the court did not find his wife, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, guilty and revoked the arrest warrant against her.

FIDF filed a lawsuit with the Civil Court on Sept 18 last year, asking it to annul the Dec 30, 2003 Ratchadapisek land sale, and order Khunying Pojaman to return the land to the fund.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, convicted former premier Thaksin now lives in self-imposed exile at an undisclosed location after jumping bail. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-10-07

[rubl]

Whether you agree or not, it's good to see the rule of law still works.

[asiawatcher]

As the land was subject to a fraudulent act is she claiming denial of any knowledge? Ignorance of law is no defence for fraud. So if they feel compelled to return the funds why pay any interest at all?

Never can understand this country.

[rubl]

As the land was subject to a fraudulent act is she claiming denial of any knowledge? Ignorance of law is no defence for fraud. So if they feel compelled to return the funds why pay any interest at all?

Never can understand this country.

Court order. Search this forum for (some) details.

[bojo]

The overall cost paid to the ex-premier's former wife is also lower than the current land estimated price assessed by the Department of Lands at Bt900 million.

Quote

That's for 33 rai in an area which is quoted as prime.

That's far less than some prime plots in Koh Samui, which can sell for over double that figure per rai.

I always thought that Bangkok was the most expensive in the Kingdom, I suppose there are other more expensive areas in the capital.

Regards

Bojo

[whybother]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

[Hawk]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

Soft brained answer.

[Buchholz]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

Soft brained answer.

But with much more than an ounce of truth to it.

We're all still waiting for Potjaman to start the 3 year prison term that she was convicted on well over 2 years ago.... long before she sued the courts for the return of her money in 2009.

Perhaps now that the lawsuit case has been completed she can begin to serve her 1,095 days behind bars on her earlier conviction case.

Now that the issue of the Ratchadapisek land has been resolved and she's lost it, there's this not-so-little matter that needs to be addressed now:

July 31, 2008

The Criminal Court found Pojaman Shinawatra guilty of intentionally avoiding a tax payment of 546 Million Baht.

Also found guilty Pojaman's brother Bannaphot Damapong and her personal secretary, Kanchana Honghern.

The court sentenced Pojaman and Bannaphot each to 3 years in jail and Kanchana to 2 years in jail.

Edited October 7, 2010 by Buchholz

[givenall]

As the land was subject to a fraudulent act is she claiming denial of any knowledge? Ignorance of law is no defence for fraud. So if they feel compelled to return the funds why pay any interest at all?

Never can understand this country.

Nothing to understand. if you rich you can get away with murder

[Pib]

She'll probably win in the appeal due to the BIG HAIR police booking picture.

[BusyBee123]

She'll probably win in the appeal due to the BIG HAIR police booking picture.

I was thinking the same, she could have had a bit part in DALLAS with that hair.

[whybother]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

Soft brained answer.

huh? Soft brained reply.

Edited October 7, 2010 by whybother

[givenall]

I hope the deduct money for the damages they caused by financing thendistruction during last may RED shirt violence

[tomyummer]

The Reds are cheering about now. More funds! Yay!! Gimme, gimme, gimme!

[gemini81]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

yeah with some of the same blood from the PM''s front gate, splattered all over the banknotes so she can't use them

She's one of those greedy arrogant cheaters, that as soon as you hear about her, you get pissed off just seeing her picture of hearing the name.

So she got out of the jail term with money I suppose? Which encourages her to do whatever else she wants. Her weasel ex spouse will prolly get off the hook too when and if he returns.

[Buchholz]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

yeah with some of the same blood from the PM''s front gate, splattered all over the banknotes so she can't use them

She's one of those greedy arrogant cheaters, that as soon as you hear about her, you get pissed off just seeing her picture of hearing the name.

So she got out of the jail term with money I suppose? Which encourages her to do whatever else she wants. Her weasel ex spouse will prolly get off the hook too when and if he returns.

She appealed her conviction and is out on bail while awaiting that hearing, which has been since July 2008.

If they just made her pay the tax evasion of 546 million (plus mustn't forget to add the 7.5% interest on top of that), then most of the money she received as a refund for the confiscation of the land would be gone.

Edited October 7, 2010 by Buchholz

[rubl]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

yeah with some of the same blood from the PM''s front gate, splattered all over the banknotes so she can't use them

She's one of those greedy arrogant cheaters, that as soon as you hear about her, you get pissed off just seeing her picture of hearing the name.

So she got out of the jail term with money I suppose? Which encourages her to do whatever else she wants. Her weasel ex spouse will prolly get off the hook too when and if he returns.

She appealed her conviction and is out on bail while awaiting that hearing, which has been since July 2008.

If they just made her pay the tax evasion of 546 million (plus mustn't forget to add the 7.5% interest on top of that), then most of the money she received as a refund for the confiscation of the land would be gone.

good idea, but not sure that would be legal, sorry

[Buchholz]

They should put the money in a prison cell for her to go and collect it.

yeah with some of the same blood from the PM''s front gate, splattered all over the banknotes so she can't use them

She's one of those greedy arrogant cheaters, that as soon as you hear about her, you get pissed off just seeing her picture of hearing the name.

So she got out of the jail term with money I suppose? Which encourages her to do whatever else she wants. Her weasel ex spouse will prolly get off the hook too when and if he returns.

She appealed her conviction and is out on bail while awaiting that hearing, which has been since July 2008.

If they just made her pay the tax evasion of 546 million (plus mustn't forget to add the 7.5% interest on top of that), then most of the money she received as a refund for the confiscation of the land would be gone.

good idea, but not sure that would be legal, sorry

I'm not sure either, but I do know there are many times where wages or awarded damages or tax refunds are withheld to comply with court-ordered fines.

[Tigs]

It's just one rule for the very rich, and a completely different rule for everyone else.

[SergeiY]

It's just one rule for the very rich, and a completely different rule for everyone else.

You mean poor people don't get their Bt823 million back after a court ruled a sale invalid or do you mean that poor people don't must pay sums like 546 million just for tax?

Or the mandatory order (peer pressure?) that you must sport a certain style of hairdo once you reached a certain age.

[Beetlejuice]

I am very happy for her.

Now I will be able to sleep easy again.

[chainarong]

How nice .

[geriatrickid]

I hope the deduct money for the damages they caused by financing thendistruction during last may RED shirt violence

If you can prove that she funded the damage, why don't you support a class action against her.

Oh wait. You need to prove your claim.

Oooopsie.

[Tigs]

It's just one rule for the very rich, and a completely different rule for everyone else.

You mean poor people don't get their Bt823 million back after a court ruled a sale invalid or do you mean that poor people don't must pay sums like 546 million just for tax?

Or the mandatory order (peer pressure?) that you must sport a certain style of hairdo once you reached a certain age.

No, that's not what I mean at all.

[Thai at Heart]

Nice business if you can get it.

7.5% over the last few years. This woman should right a book about how to gain steady returns on her investments. Buy something you are not allowed to do so, and the government provides interest on the money when returned. And who cooked up 7.5%? Is this based on the banks rate for lending on mortgages or something?

Anywhere else in the world you get to charge interest on an illegal transaction?

[hoaker]

"Ignorance of the Law is no Excuse"

Former wife, Yeah right!!! pictures of the entire family having lunch on the patio in Montenegro was released during the red shirt protest. Also pictures of them shopping in Paris.

it seems like an illegal transaction in which both participated and agreed it would be of great interest for the family wealth on the long-term. How nice for the civil courts in thailand to send back money for known illegal transaction, with a conviction. Gotta Love Thailand when your rich!!!

[Fookhaht]

Well. Lord knows she needed it!

By the way, referring to the OP, which said Taksin "jumped bail." Did he really put up bail money after the charges were filed? How much bail did he forsake? Just curious.

[SergeiY]

Nice business if you can get it.

7.5% over the last few years. This woman should right a book about how to gain steady returns on her investments. Buy something you are not allowed to do so, and the government provides interest on the money when returned. And who cooked up 7.5%? Is this based on the banks rate for lending on mortgages or something?

Anywhere else in the world you get to charge interest on an illegal transaction?

If it was illegal who should keep/get the interests? The buyer or the seller?

Sell something you are not allowed to do so and keep the goods and the money?

[rubl]

Well. Lord knows she needed it!

By the way, referring to the OP, which said Taksin "jumped bail." Did he really put up bail money after the charges were filed? How much bail did he forsake? Just curious.

It seems when k. Thaksin and wife failed to return from the Olympics the court ordered the forfeiture of £195,000 bail bond (about THB 10M).

( http://www.buzzle.com/articles/215301.html )

Another source says

'... seized 13 million baht ($385,000) in bail bonds ...'

( http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBKK6086320080811 )

Edited October 8, 2010 by rubl

[Thai at Heart]

Nice business if you can get it.

7.5% over the last few years. This woman should right a book about how to gain steady returns on her investments. Buy something you are not allowed to do so, and the government provides interest on the money when returned. And who cooked up 7.5%? Is this based on the banks rate for lending on mortgages or something?

Anywhere else in the world you get to charge interest on an illegal transaction?

If it was illegal who should keep/get the interests? The buyer or the seller?

Sell something you are not allowed to do so and keep the goods and the money?

There shouldn't be any interest charged, nor paid. She incurs the cost of lost bank interest accrued by entering into an illegal contract.

She is essentially being compensated for entering into an illegal contract.

Oh the wonders of Thai law.