Sinking Lower The Lowest

[sriracha john]

First... their news:

Happy 68th Birthday to the Father of Chonburi.

Every year at this time, businessmen and politicians from around Chonburi Province converge on Saen Sook sub-district to wish a Happy Birthday to a man who is known as the Father of Chonburi, Khun Somshai Kenpleum who is also known to many as Gam Nan Bo. This well respected politician and businessmen is celebrating his 68th Birthday and as you can see, it was standing room only at his house as he received gifts from many of his friends and admirers whilst his family including his wife looked on. The list of VIP’s who attended the event is too long for us to go through here but suffice to say that the days event demonstrated the admiration and respect held for this Chonburi Icon.

Now...

the reality:

CHON BURI MURDER: Kamnan Poh gets 25 years

Published on Jun 22, 2004

Free on Bt10m bail, notorious godfather vows to appeal to the highest courts

Somchai Kunplome, Thailand's best-known "influential figure'', was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in jail for putting out a contract on the life of rival Prayoon Sitichote, who was killed by an unidentified gunman in March last year.

Also convicted was Somchai's accomplice Passakorn Homhuan, who was also handed a 25-year sentence.

After the verdict, Somchai, alias Kamnan Poh, and Passakorn were each released on Bt10-million bail pending the filing for an appellate review within 30 days.

Somchai, regarded as the Godfather of Chon Buri, is in the midst of a high-stakes legal battle that could spell the end of his political and business domination of the eastern seaboard.

In addition to the Prayoon murder case, he is appealing his five-year, four-month graft sentence for land-procurement irregularities.

If he loses both legal battles, he could spend the next 30-plus years in jail.

Criminal Court judge Anan Senkhum said in yesterday's verdict that the defence failed to show credible evidence in rebutting prosecution witnesses.

Somchai appeared grim faced after hearing his verdict and refused to talk to reporters.

Accompanying Somchai from the courtroom were his five children, Tourism and Sport Minister Sontaya, Chat Thai MPs Witthaya and Itthipol, daughter Jiraporn and youngest son Narongchai.

Chat Thai MP Surasit Nitiwutworaluck said no one imagined that the court would hand down a guilty verdict.

---------------------------------------

Well over a year after being convicted and sentenced for first degree murder, he remains free.

_____________________________________________________________

It's amazing how low a "supposed" news organization can go... To pay tribute to a convicted murderer.... I don't think it's possible to sink any lower.

If the local population gives him a tribute, why not at least put forth the truth and tell of his long-checkered past... instead of rolling along with it?

Truth be known... they likely have no clue to his history, even though he is clearly the biggest criminal in this province.

They have no business being in the news business. Thailand would certainly be a better place without them.

Revoke their licenses and send their clueless farang staff back to whence they came.

Edited October 1, 2005 by sriracha john

[taxexile]

If the local population gives him a tribute, why not at least put forth the truth and tell of his long-checkered past... instead of rolling along with it?

because

Well over a year after being convicted and sentenced for first degree murder, he remains free.

Accompanying Somchai from the courtroom were his five children, Tourism and Sport Minister Sontaya, Chat Thai MPs Witthaya and Itthipol, ....etc.

why does that not surprise me.

for all the expressways , sky trains , airports and technology , thailand remains firmly rooted in the third world when it comes to politics and the law.

[DJ Pat]

sky trains

Hardly covers the city though does it?

[COBBER]

First... their news:

Happy 68th Birthday to the Father of Chonburi.

Every year at this time, businessmen and politicians from around Chonburi Province converge on Saen Sook sub-district to wish a Happy Birthday to a man who is known as the Father of Chonburi, Khun Somshai Kenpleum who is also known to many as Gam Nan Bo. This well respected politician and businessmen is celebrating his 68th Birthday and as you can see, it was standing room only at his house as he received gifts from many of his friends and admirers whilst his family including his wife looked on. The list of VIP’s who attended the event is too long for us to go through here but suffice to say that the days event demonstrated the admiration and respect held for this Chonburi Icon.

Now...

the reality:

CHON BURI MURDER: Kamnan Poh gets 25 years

Published on Jun 22, 2004

Free on Bt10m bail, notorious godfather vows to appeal to the highest courts

Somchai Kunplome, Thailand's best-known "influential figure'', was sentenced yesterday to 25 years in jail for putting out a contract on the life of rival Prayoon Sitichote, who was killed by an unidentified gunman in March last year.

Also convicted was Somchai's accomplice Passakorn Homhuan, who was also handed a 25-year sentence.

After the verdict, Somchai, alias Kamnan Poh, and Passakorn were each released on Bt10-million bail pending the filing for an appellate review within 30 days.

Somchai, regarded as the Godfather of Chon Buri, is in the midst of a high-stakes legal battle that could spell the end of his political and business domination of the eastern seaboard.

In addition to the Prayoon murder case, he is appealing his five-year, four-month graft sentence for land-procurement irregularities.

If he loses both legal battles, he could spend the next 30-plus years in jail.

Criminal Court judge Anan Senkhum said in yesterday's verdict that the defence failed to show credible evidence in rebutting prosecution witnesses.

Somchai appeared grim faced after hearing his verdict and refused to talk to reporters.

Accompanying Somchai from the courtroom were his five children, Tourism and Sport Minister Sontaya, Chat Thai MPs Witthaya and Itthipol, daughter Jiraporn and youngest son Narongchai.

Chat Thai MP Surasit Nitiwutworaluck said no one imagined that the court would hand down a guilty verdict.

---------------------------------------

Well over a year after being convicted and sentenced for first degree murder, he remains free.

_____________________________________________________________

It's amazing how low a "supposed" news organization can go... To pay tribute to a convicted murderer.... I don't think it's possible to sink any lower.

If the local population gives him a tribute, why not at least put forth the truth and tell of his long-checkered past... instead of rolling along with it?

Truth be known... they likely have no clue to his history, even though he is clearly the biggest criminal in this province.

They have no business being in the news business. Thailand would certainly be a better place without them.

Revoke their licenses and send their clueless farang staff back to whence they came.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The same can be said for the Payttaya Mail who last year gave his birthday bash a full 2 page spread including the usual cast of Pattaya Mail charactors joining in the cellebrations with him.

Can hardly wait for next weeks edition.

[Khun Jean]

They have no business being in the news business. Thailand would certainly be a better place without them.

Revoke their licenses and send their clueless farang staff back to whence they came.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On the contrary my dear Watson, i think they are very clued in.

[chownah]

Do you believe in luck? Do you think that failing to print a respectful article about this personage could be unlucky?

[britmaveric]

The media is rather smart if you ask me.... patronage has rewards and well the alternative isn't so rosey.

[sriracha john]

Ok, ok... I realize they are an insult to respectable news organizations and journalists the world over.... but then just don't call it Pattaya City News (or Pattaya Mail, for that matter). Keep things honest and call them:

The Pattaya Wimpy Drippy Spineless Tribune

and the

Pattaya On Our Knees And Servicing The Power Brokers Herald

Edited October 2, 2005 by sriracha john

[GuestHouse]

Next time you pass the police station in Banglamung, take a look at the landscaped central reservation on Sukhmvit directly oposite the station. It has a sign proclaiming the landscaping was paid for by Kanman Pho...

Only in Thailand

[sriracha john]

A POSITIVE UPDATE

How appropriate to follow so closely on the heels of Pattaya City News "fluff" piece on this convicted murderer's birthday party.

Maybe now, they'll get the hint of what a news agency is SUPPOSED to do.

And hopefully, this last episode will finally end up with the man behind bars and not free on bail for well over a year.

Guilty verdict against Kamnan Poh upheld

Published on Oct 12 , 2005

The Appeals Court Wednesday upheld the Criminal Court's ruling which found Somchai Kunplome, Thailand's best-known underworld boss, guilty of putting out a contract on the life of rival Prayoon Sitichote who was killed by an unidentified gunman in March 2003.

The Appeals Court retained the 25-year jail term against Somchai, better known as Kamnan Poh, and his accomplice, Passakorn Homhuan.

The Criminal Court found Somchai and Passakorn guility in the murder plot on June 20 last year.

Edited October 12, 2005 by sriracha john

[Big Tony]

The list of VIP’s who attended the event is too long for us to go through here but suffice to say that the days event demonstrated the admiration and respect held for this Chonburi Icon.

This one may be more accurate.

The list of VIP’s who attended the event is too long for us to go through here but suffice to say that the days event demonstrated the admiration and respect held for this convicted murderer That still has other outstanding cases against him.

[Gary A]

You people forget where you are at: THIS IS THAILAND! Money and power are respected no matter how the money was acquired. If you have the power to protect your money and make even more money it is respected all the more. There is a fine line between respect and fear but both work equally well.

[sriracha john]

Sometimes..... 10 days can make all the difference in the world:

BEFORE:

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to youuu

Happy Birthday, dear Godfather

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuu!!!

AFTER:

Thai prison officials take Somchai Khunpleum, center, out of the appeal court room in Bangkok. Thai appeal court on Wednesday reconfirm the preliminary court sentenced to 25 years jail term for Somchai on charges of conspiring to hire the gunman to kill his business rival.

[boppia]

The Bangkok post ran a few articles on mafia and hitmen in Thailand quite a few years ago. it amazed me that they wrote the names of who these people were. It seems the government and so police know who thes people are. Why don't they do anything about them? They'll happily kill off a few thousand low level drug dealers and a few hundred moslems but they won't dare get rid of the mafia. Thaksin really needs to let the people know whether he is mafia or not. He obviously hasn't done anything about these corrupt Thai blood sucking maggots so it would seem he is pro-mafia.

Thailand is a place where those in power don't flinch an eye over the deaths of little people. And a place where those in power dine with murderers. Fact. Fact. Fact.

[madmitch]

[He's out on bail so will there be another happy birthday article next year?

[Heng]

I'd wager yes.

Best case - It drags on (there have been cases on the books that have dragged on for 15-20 years). He's already in his 60's and has enjoyed life to the fullest so another 10-20 years is all he really needs.

Worse case - He dies a free man, but retired abroad.

[sriracha john]

In the continuing saga of the convicted murderer remaining free, even his assets have yet to be seized in a separate corruption case despite a two year old conviction, prompting a lawsuit against one of his protectors:

Peeraphan faces lawsuit

Published on Dec 11 , 2005

The Democrats are planning to file a lawsuit tomorrow against Peeraphan Prempooti, a former secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), on charges of malfeasance, party deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha said yesterday.

Sathit said that although the lower court and Appeal Court had both ruled that Somchai Kunplome (or Kannan Poh) was guilty of corruption in a land-procurement case in Chon Buri, after two years AMLO had yet to seize Somchai's assets.

The office said the trail of dirty money had been clearly established, but that it still needed to investigate Somchai's assets. Peeraphan's four-year term ended on December 1.

Sathit said Police Colonel Yuthaboon Dissaman, AMLO's deputy secretary-general, must seize Somchai's assets immediately and return his ill-gotten gains to the people.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I'd wager yes.

Best case - It drags on (there have been cases on the books that have dragged on for 15-20 years).  He's already in his 60's and has enjoyed life to the fullest so another 10-20 years is all he really needs.

Worse case - He dies a free man, but retired abroad.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a bad deal really.

[jackr]

You people forget where you are at: THIS IS THAILAND! Money and power are respected no matter how the money was acquired. If you have the power to protect your money and make even more money it is respected all the more. There is a fine line between respect and fear but both work equally well.

[ThaiPauly]

[He's out on bail so will there be another happy birthday article next year?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey Mitch,

looks like you will be needing a new CA Shirt soon

[astral]

It is not what you are, that matters, just WHO.

[mumbojumbo]

Sounds like another case of "Money talks and OJ walks" It happens in other places too.

[kat]

If the local population gives him a tribute, why not at least put forth the truth and tell of his long-checkered past... instead of rolling along with it?

because

Well over a year after being convicted and sentenced for first degree murder, he remains free.

Accompanying Somchai from the courtroom were his five children, Tourism and Sport Minister Sontaya, Chat Thai MPs Witthaya and Itthipol, ....etc.

why does that not surprise me.

for all the expressways , sky trains , airports and technology , thailand remains firmly rooted in the third world when it comes to politics and the law.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, but don't forget Tax, most of the infrastructure development here is also rooted in kickbacks and skimming. So, corruption is present in every level of government, not just law, politics and - erm - "justice".

[sriracha john]

Sounds like another case of  "Money talks and OJ walks"  It happens in other places too.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Except in this case, the murderer and corruptor doesn't have any money... at least according to his government buddy being sued for not confiscating the killer's assests:

AMLO ‘can’t find assets’

Published on December 13, 2005

Peeraphan Prempooti, former chief of the anti-money laundering agency, yesterday denied claims he was reluctant to seize the assets of Somchai Kunplome, an influential figure from Chon Buri found guilty of serious crimes by two courts.

Peeraphan, who retired as secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) on December 1, said the agency was still trying to locate Somchai’s assets.

Amlo was seeking assets relating to a Bt93-million land procurement case, but had so far been unable to trace them, he said.

Somchai, known as Kamnan Poh, has also been convicted of conspiring to murder to rival.

The land-procurement case started in late 1993 and the money was paid in 1994. The anti-money-laundering laws were not enforced until later, but retrospective seizure of assets is allowed in regard to civil cases.

Peeraphan said Amlo had not waited for the Supreme Court. The problem was the office could not find Somchai’s assets.

Democrat Party deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha said on Sunday that he planned to file a lawsuit against Peeraphan for malfeasance because Amlo failed to seize Somchai’s assets after the lower court and the Appeal Court found the Chon Buri “godfather” was guilty of illegal land procurement in Chon Buri.

Peeraphan said Amlo informed Sathit it had been investigating Somchai since May 2004. He said the agency was gathering evidence but could not reveal details.

“Sathit had no right to access information about the process due to the anti-money laundering law. Only the Cabinet, House of Representatives and the Senate can ask about Amlo’s work through the annual report,” he said.

-----------------------------------------------

Poor Somchai... I feel so sorry for him that he has no assests. Perhaps we can all kick in some baht and buy him some "ma-ma" noodles for lunch.

Or conversely, perhaps just take Peeraphan to the resort town of Bang Saen, which Somchai owns most of, and show him some of many, many assests.

[zzap]

..perhaps just take Peeraphan to the resort town of Bang Saen, which Somchai owns most of, and show him some of many, many assests.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe the assets are owned by his maid and driver, that would be a sensible solution, following the example of PM Thaksin.

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

Kamnan Poh will hear Supreme ruling tomorrow

The once seemingly invincible mafia boss Somchai Kunplome has remained in the country while waiting for tomorrow’s Supreme Court ruling on whether he will face jail, his children said yesterday.

“My father will definitely go to the court tomorrow to hear its verdict,” Thai Rak Thai party-list MP Sonthaya Kunplome, one of Somchai’s sons, said in response to speculation his father had fled the country. The Supreme Court is due to give its verdict tomorrow on one of two cases that Somchai, 68, faces. Lower courts have found him guilty of masterminding corrupt land deals worth Bt93 million 13 years ago. If it upholds the ruling of the lower courts, Somchai will face five years and four months behind bars.

Sonthaya refused to say whether his father was anxious about the ruling and said he had no knowledge of when the Supreme Court would rule on the other case involving his father.

The second matter is far more serious.

It centres on an allegation (it's not an allegation as he's already been convicted ) that Somchai hired a hit man to gun down a rival who was subsequently shot dead, by a different, unidentified gunman, who remains at large.

The lower courts found Somchai guilty of ordering the killing, although he claims his chosen hitman failed to carry out the task. In this case, Somchai was sentenced to 25 years in jail.

His daughter Jiraporn said yesterday she was not sure whether her father would hear tomorrow’s verdict in person. She said he had asked his children to stay away from the courtroom.

She said Somchai, better known as “Kamnan Poh”, visited a doctor every month and suffered from low-blood pressure. A source said if Somchai did not show up tomorrow, the Supreme Court would postpone its verdict. And if he failed to attend a second session, an arrest warrant would be issued.

Immigration Bureau commander Pol Lt-General Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said officials were watching all official routes out of the country and there was no record of Somchai making an escape attempt. But he conceded that boats and forest paths offered an unofficial route out.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation

-------------------------------------------

Hopefully, justice, long delayed, will eventually come about tomorrow and this convicted murderer can be sent to prison.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

If he wants to flee he can do it easily.

[Kerryd]

If he wants to flee he can do it easily.

If he was smart, he'd already be on his way to Canada. There, he could live the life of a playboy millionaire, safe in the knowledge that Canada would probably never try to extradite him (isn't that right Rakesh Saxena ?)

[sriracha john]

I doubt he could afford to flee, especially as far away as Canada, as he has no assets, right? He's penniless (or bahtless), according to the AMLO.

Peeraphan, who retired as secretary-general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) on December 1, said the agency was still trying to locate Somchai’s assets.

Amlo was seeking assets relating to a Bt93-million land procurement case, but had so far been unable to trace them, he said.

Poor Somchai... I feel so sorry for him that he has no assests. Perhaps we can all kick in some baht and buy him some "ma-ma" noodles for lunch.

[Noel]

UPDATE

Kamnan Poh will hear Supreme ruling tomorrow

“My father will definitely go to the court tomorrow to hear its verdict,” Thai Rak Thai party-list MP Sonthaya Kunplome, one of Somchai’s sons, said in response to speculation his father had fled the country.

<SNIP>

His daughter Jiraporn said yesterday she was not sure whether her father would hear tomorrow’s verdict in person.

-------------------------------------------

Hopefully, justice, long delayed, will eventually come about tomorrow and this convicted murderer can be sent to prison.

So he definitely might be there, possibly...