Anti-Corruption Unit Moves Against Former Tourism Chief Juthamas

[webfact]

Anti-corruption unit moves against former tourism chief

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) has found sufficient grounds to believe that former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief Juthamas Siriwan received money in a film festival bribery case involving an American couple.

NCCC Commissioner Klanarong Chantik said Wednesday that the anti-graft body endorsed the findings of its subcommittee that Mrs Juthamas took a bribe from a Los Angeles film-producing couple.

At the centre of the 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival scandal are Gerald Green and his wife Patricia Green who allegedly paid Mrs Juthamas about US$1.8 million (Bt53.7 million) to help secure the Bangkok International Film Festival contract and other TAT deals.

The subcommittee headed by Methee Krongkaew wrapped up its inquiry and forwarded it to the NACC. It concluded that the pair paid Mrs Juthamas in cashiers cheques and cash transfers. Some had been transferred to her daughter, Jittisopha Siriwan, in a foreign bank account as well.

The finding singled out Mrs Juthamas as committing a criminal offence by violating Thai law as a state official who acted against fair bidding in exchange for favours from a particular beneficiary. Her daughter was found quilty as an accomplice in the bribery case.

The anti-graft body resolved to forward its conclusion to the Attorney-General for legal action against Mrs Juthamas and her daughter.

Gerald Green, 78, and his wife Patricia, 55, were sentenced to six months in prison followed by six months of home confinement in U.S. federal court in Los Angeles last year.

The couple must also jointly pay $250,000 US in restitution.

The Greens were convicted under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits corruption payments to foreign officials for business purposes. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-08-25

[ricku]

Nice work, but shouldn't the NCCC have bigger priorities than hunting for film festival bribery?

This seems kinda small compared to the real corruption dirt that is floating around in LOS.

Edited August 25, 2011 by ricku

[Bakseedaa]

maybe the Foreign Minister will gain her a special visa for Japan also..!

[siampolee]

maybe the Foreign Minister will gain her a special visa for Japan also..!

Would that help her to "nip" away a bit smartish and save her from waiting about perhaps ?

A Lyons Nippy circa 1930ish

Edited August 25, 2011 by siampolee

[lovetotravel]

Nice work, but shouldn't the NCCC have bigger priorities than hunting for film festival bribery?

This seems kinda small compared to the real corruption dirt that is floating around in LOS.

For sure, but 54M Baht ain't small potatoes! At least it's a start. Good for them!

[terminatorchiangmai]

54 M Bath , can you imaging what that can do for tourism , more police to stop jet ski scams and other scammers that make the LOS look bad.

[zakk9]

Head of TAT is rather high up in this society and a very profiled position. If she gets a prison sentence, it's a big step forward. I don't hold my breath though.

Nice work, but shouldn't the NCCC have bigger priorities than hunting for film festival bribery?

This seems kinda small compared to the real corruption dirt that is floating around in LOS.

[blabla1]

They gotta start somewhere, busting her is a safe bet and will not have retaliation from anyone, the lime light goes to the " you see, we are fighting corruption" lol

[blabla1]

Not forgetting the one in America got busted , so they had to act,like it or not!!! gotta love this place...

[hanuman2543]

It is a step in the right direction and a signal. Hope she and her daughter have to stay some time in jail and that the money is conficated.

[blabla1]

It is a step in the right direction and a signal. Hope she and her daughter have to stay some time in jail and that the money is conficated.

Good thought,but this is where the real fun starts, the anti corruption people will get there cut , as well as officials,lawyers, etc.... money talks,bullshit walks!!

[mrmazinkle]

Nice work, but shouldn't the NCCC have bigger priorities than hunting for film festival bribery?

This seems kinda small compared to the real corruption dirt that is floating around in LOS.

For sure, but 54M Baht ain't small potatoes! At least it's a start. Good for them!

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step (quote..Some Chinese bloke)I agree with you but

I'm afraid its mostly posturing.I hope I am wrong for Thai people themselves.It seems to be engrained in most of us ,corruption,greed,

recently in the UK with Murdoch and his cohorts..The biggest copper in UK resigns.Maybe we can't change,but at least let's admit it's not only wrong but affects all those lower down the food chain.I wish them well in their efforts.

[Robby nz]

Expect a few minor officials and possibly a poly from BJP or the Dems to be busted to show just how hard the present lot are fighting corruption, and all the time it will be business as usual for the top family.

[jimbeam1]

I wonder how many staff are employed by the NCCC?

jb1

[Deez]

Nice work, but shouldn't the NCCC have bigger priorities than hunting for film festival bribery?

This seems kinda small compared to the real corruption dirt that is floating around in LOS.

Huh? So they should ignore a $53M baht payoff? Nice. You fit right in here in thailand Im sure

[IAMSOBAD]

According to the OP ...as an American it is UNLAWFUL for me to pay CORRUPT officials.

Does that mean NO MORE TEA MONEY TO COPS?

[tragickingdom]

LOL Yes the Americans investigated her already. So the sufficient evidence could have been found in the American court papers and the subsequent convictions.

[joka]

To me this only says, "Don't take bribes from farangs", especially Americans, duh!

[virtualtraveller]

Thailand's National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) has found sufficient grounds to believe that former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) chief Juthamas Siriwan received money in a film festival bribery case involving an American couple.

55555, this is tongue in cheek right. Are you sure the grounds a sufficient or perhaps we ought to spend another two years looking into it.

Y'awl forgot to mention that most the money went into the war chest of Peau Pandin, who gave Jutumas an executive position in return (she later quit). They were in the last govt, and are in the present one, so the chances of this really going anywhere are...well....

[Bagwan]

I thought that Juthamas Siriwan's daughter lived in bosky Wimbledon, so convenient for the Buddhist temple. If so I wouldn't be at all surprised if Momma paid a visit - and stayed.

[ginjag]

It is a step in the right direction and a signal. Hope she and her daughter have to stay some time in jail and that the money is conficated.

5555555555555555555 Ha Ha TAT in the news again, I thought it may be more figures out on tourists again--triple last month or like the other one not long ago, big % off goods in shopping centres to attract foreigners and stamp out the sex business in Thai..... or that latest one more OTOP shops to get visitors here. But the topic is about some corrupt deal, I was in shock as I thought all the TAT reports and latest Ideas and figures and the running of was spot on.

[surangw]

too late for her to take the money and run? or not much left after she paid off everyone else?

[pedro01]

The way it works here....

Old Juthamas did not pocket all of that cash. Bribes go upwards, which is why the corrupt don't get caught. It's not like a bribe goes to one person - it goes to them & other people with more power up the chain.

This case will go nowhere because of the people that took a cut of the money.

She had permission to take the bribe and the split would have been discussed well in advance.

Edited August 25, 2011 by pedro01

[IAMSOBAD]

TAT. TIT. <deleted> All part of Amazing Thailand!

[EyesWideOpen]

This new government is going crazy fighting corruption. First the fire truck scandal roars back to life , and now the film festival scandal which I thought was long dead comes to life as well. This is great!! Now onto the Blue Diamond scandal!!

[ginjag]

This new government is going crazy fighting corruption. First the fire truck scandal roars back to life , and now the film festival scandal which I thought was long dead comes to life as well. This is great!! Now onto the Blue Diamond scandal!!

I have an Idea some of these are ongoing and others pending many from the last governments efforts, What happened to the airport scams--scanners- runways- There's loads to come, many that this government are going to be shy about .

[thaiIand]

Who did she piss/forget to pay off

[spidermike007]

An arrest, conviction, and very, very long sentence, with a fine of several million baht that would be a huge burden to the family, would be a good start. Thailand is the least interested in the fight against corruption of any country in SE Asia, except perhaps Burma, and Cambodia, and they do not really count, being run by multi billionaire despots. Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, and others are making a real fight of it. Arresting ann locking up many officials, and government ministers. Imagine the impact a conviction would have on Thai society. What, we cannot steal anything we want anymore? Someone is actually watching? Someone really cares about what we steal? Wow, that is a first. Guess we are going to have to keep an eye out for them. Maybe they could get to us too? The lack of desire to pursue corruption is pushing the country further and further toward the oblivion it is heading to, if something is not done, and done soon. Between the tuk tuk mafia, the samui taxi mafia, the jet ski mafia, the suvarnabhumi duty free mafia, the police mafia, the customs mafia, the immigration mafia, and the government mafia, this country is completely out of control, when it comes to corruption. Heading toward oblivion, and the average Thai either does not know, or does not care. Where is the Anna Hazare of Thailand hiding out?

[spidermike007]

An arrest, conviction, and very, very long sentence, with a fine of several million baht that would be a huge burden to the family, would be a good start. Thailand is the least interested in the fight against corruption of any country in SE Asia, except perhaps Burma, and Cambodia, and they do not really count, being run by multi billionaire despots. Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China, and others are making a real fight of it. Arresting ann locking up many officials, and government ministers. Imagine the impact a conviction would have on Thai society. What, we cannot steal anything we want anymore? Someone is actually watching? Someone really cares about what we steal? Wow, that is a first. Guess we are going to have to keep an eye out for them. Maybe they could get to us too? The lack of desire to pursue corruption is pushing the country further and further toward the oblivion it is heading to, if something is not done, and done soon. Between the tuk tuk mafia, the samui taxi mafia, the jet ski mafia, the suvarnabhumi duty free mafia, the police mafia, the customs mafia, the immigration mafia, and the government mafia, this country is completely out of control, when it comes to corruption. Heading toward oblivion, and the average Thai either does not know, or does not care. Where is the Anna Hazare of Thailand hiding out?

Forgot to mention the Bangkok Air mafia, but I guess that does not count, since they are a legal entity, engaging in legal business. But, the Samui airport monopoly, and some of the highest prices per KM, on the planet, with regard to flights to Samui sure feels like a mafia operation.

[IAMSOBAD]

They DO NOT care.

Live for today.

They are in their own little world.

Tip for me?