Chalerm: Burgled Suphoth Money Was Kickbacks

[webfact]

MYSTERIOUS CASH

'Burgled money was kickbacks'

The Nation

Chalerm says politicians involved in multimillion-baht robbery at home of suspended top transport official

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday said that the money involved in a robbery at the home of suspended Transport Ministry permanent secretary Suphoth Sublom was a kickback in connection with bidding for extension of subway lines.

Chalerm told yesterday's session of the House of Representatives that according to police investigation, the robbers were ordered to burgle the house by some politicians whom he did not name. He claimed the politicians wanted their share of the bribe.

"The money was obtained from corruption involving extended parts of the subway lines, such as the Red Line and the Yellow Line. I once spoke in Parliament about the corruption but people protested against me for making an 'untrue accusation'," Chalerm said.

He added that the government would ensure that the people involved in corruption would face legal action. However, he also said steps must be taken carefully to avoid any accusations of political persecution.

"The government will make sure the law is strictly applied. If any politician is found to be involved, legal action will be taken against him," Chalerm said.

He also noted that police had confiscated Bt17.8 million from the robbers while Suphoth stated that Bt5 million was stolen.

The robbery took place at Suphoth's home in Bangkok's Lat Phrao area on the night of November 12. The permanent secretary for transport was later suspended from duty as the National Anti-Corruption Commission began an investigation to determine whether he had filed a false assets statement with the NACC, whether he had amassed ill-gotten gains, and whether he was involved in any irregularities. The anti-graft agency also impounded Bt15 million in cash retrieved from the suspects in the robbery pending the probe's outcome.

Chalerm yesterday was responding to a query by fellow Pheu Thai MP Pichet Chuamuangpan from Chiang Rai, who asked Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra about the robbery case. Chalerm, who is in charge of the police, replied on behalf of the prime minister.

The veteran politician said he had instructed the National Police chief to determine the source of the bribe money from the ring labels around the banknotes confiscated. He said that in this way the police could trace the bank and the account from which the money was paid.

He said that from the ring labels, he found that some of the banknotes were from a bank in the Northeastern province of Udon Thani. He said a construction company from that province was involved in fixed bidding that allowed the company always to win project bids, thanks to its payment of kickbacks.

Pichet, the MP who raised the query, said people wondered whether former transport minister Sophon Saram from the Bhum Jai Thai Party - which is now in the opposition - might have earned more in kickbacks than the permanent secretary, who reportedly got Bt1 billion. Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut protested against the insinuation and demanded that Pichet withdraw his allegation. House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranond later ordered Pichet to withdraw his remark about Sophon.

Chalerm said the government had ordered the police to provide their information regarding Suphoth's money to the NACC and the Anti-Money-Laundering Office. He added that he was convinced the Transport Ministry's suspended top permanent official would be charged with filing false information about his wealth.

"For a person who has a lot of money but can't explain how it is obtained, he deserves more than just being transferred to [an inactive post at] the Prime Minister's Office," the politician said.

In a related development, Sophon the former transport minister, scheduled a news conference for this morning at the Parliament building to explain the matter.

Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Chaovarat Charnvirakul yesterday threatened to sue Chalerm for defamation in connection with the mass-transit bribery allegation.

"I will check on Chalerm's remarks and might sue for libel," he said.

Chaovarat was reacting to the alleged linkage of his party and Sino-Thai Engineering Construction to the kickbacks paid to secure construction contracts for the extension of the mass-transit network, known as the Purple, Blue and Red lines.

According to Chalerm, the kickbacks came to light after the November 12 break-in at Suphoth's home. Police have recovered about Bt17.8 million cash and estimated the loot to be more than Bt100 million.

-- The Nation 2011-11-25

[webfact]

Two suspects in Suphoth case appear in court

The Nation

Police yesterday took two suspects in the Suphoth burglary case to court to seek an initial 12day detention period following a crime reenactment in the morning.

The court was also asked not to grant bail to Singthong Jaichomcheun and Saokaew Namwong on grounds that theirs was a serious crime.

The two men have been charged with joining four accomplices to break into the mansion of Suphoth Sublom, the permanent secretary of the Transport Ministry, on November 12.

Pol Colonel Thanes Wongsanga, superintendent of the Wang Thong Lang Police Station, said Suphoth hadn't yet informed police how much money was pilfered.

However, Pol MajGeneral Winai Thongsong, commissioner of Metropolitan Police, said the haul might exceed Bt100 million.

Winai said police believe that another suspect, Prapan Ruangkrua, had made off with Bt9 million from the house and officers were dispatched to inspect 10 places in Bangkok and Ayutthaya. Prapan, who turned himself in on Wednesday, was scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing today(Nov 25).

Winai said Prapan told police that he lent out all the Bt9 million to others and was about to collect the debts.

Police were still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses and would later summon Suphoth to give additional details.

Suphoth reportedly told police initially that Bt5 million was missing after the heist, but police have seized Bt17.8 million from the suspects so far.

Winai said this has raised suspicions about how much money was actually stolen.

He said the suspects in police custody claim that alleged gang leader Weerasak Chualee took Bt35 million in cash, gave Wanankrit Butkanha and Bunseub Jomkan Bt10 million each and kept Bt15 million for himself.

Dismissing a rumour that Suphoth was addicted to gambling as unfounded, he said police were working on the case so he couldn't go into detail, but he affirmed that the stolen money was over Bt100 million.

Metropolitan Police Investigation Division chief Pol LtGen Ronnasil Phusara said yesterday that a creditor of Singthong's, Panprapat Plaithanukul, on Wednesday night handed to police Bt300,000 that the suspect had given to her to repay an investment in a restaurant, as she suspected the money was stolen during the Suphoth burglary.

This takes the amount of money retrieved by police in relation to the alleged crime above Bt18 million. Ronnasil said police were looking for three known fugitives; Weerasak, Pongsak Namwong and Kamnuan Meknoi. Weerasak was allegedly lying low in Laos, he said.

In related news, Ratchadapisek Criminal Court yesterday refused bail for 41 year old Wassana Saphermsap, who was arrested on suspicion of possessing Bt3 million in cash allegedly stolen during the Suphoth burglary, on the grounds that she is a flight risk. Wassana is detained at the Women's Central Correctional Institute.

-- The Nation 2011-11-25

[Ricardo]

Wouldn't it be great of MP Chuwit could find out the names, and blow the whistle in Parliament, on the politicians involved ? If the BiBs would lend him one of their whistles, that is ...

[Soupdragon]

Paging Ms Yingluck, could Ms Yingluck please come to the Parliament building, we have a situation, the children are getting rowdy.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Paging Ms Yingluck, could Ms Yingluck please come to the Parliament building, we have a situation, the children are getting rowdy.

:lol:

What I find so puzzling is how Chalerm knows all these "facts" about the case when the investigation is just on the way.

Did he get pissed he did not get any of the kick backs?

[pitrevie]

I am delighted that we have such fine upstanding politician as Khun Chalerm who is determined to wipe out corruption. In the short time he has been in post he has closed down all the gambling dens and now is targeting those public officials who are abusing their positions. I hope next it will be all those disgraceful sex establishments and perhaps while he is in full flow he could do something about those dreadful people who arrive at the airport in flip flops and vests, it really is quite appalling.

[Soutpeel]

I hope next it will be all those disgraceful sex establishments and perhaps while he is in full flow he could do something about those dreadful people who arrive at the airport in flip flops and vests, it really is quite appalling.

Now now... lets slow down here, I do agree on the personages arriving in flip flops and t-shirts and would make an addtion request that any resident farangs who wear dinner plate sized buddah amulets or similar be deported and black listed immediately for their own good...

[webfact]

Perm Sec's Unsual Wealth Linked with Mass Transit Project Corruption

A deputy prime minister claims the large amount of cash allegedly stashed in the home of the transport ministry's permanent-sectary is linked to bribery in the city mass transit projects.

At the House meeting yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung said the large amount of cash stolen from the home of the Transport Ministry's former Permanent-Secretary Supoj Saplom may be from corruption in the mass transit projects of the purple, red, and blue lines.

Chalerm claimed an 8 percent kickback was demanded on the deal to construct the mass transit lines, which influenced the Japanese International Cooperation Agency to cancel its contract with Sino Thai Engineering Company.

He said Supoj reported to police that only 5 million baht in cash was missing from his home but the confiscated amount is nearly 18 million baht.

Chalerm added that Supoj's claim that the money comes from his daughter's dowry is implausible.

The deputy premier said the issue will become clearer soon, and he asked the suspect leader of the burglary, who remains at large, to turn himself in to police for his own safety.

Chalerm's statement was in response to a question by Pheu Thai MP Pichet Choermunaphan over the possible connection of former ministers in the previous government with Supoj's alleged unusual wealth.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

[animatic]

Chalerm

Master of the Obvious!

Master of the universe. NOT!

[animatic]

Perm Sec's Unsual Wealth Linked with Mass Transit Project Corruption

A deputy prime minister claims the large amount of cash allegedly stashed in the home of the transport ministry's permanent-sectary is linked to bribery in the city mass transit projects.

At the House meeting yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung said the large amount of cash stolen from the home of the Transport Ministry's former Permanent-Secretary Supoj Saplom may be from corruption in the mass transit projects of the purple, red, and blue lines.

Chalerm claimed an 8 percent kickback was demanded on the deal to construct the mass transit lines, which influenced the Japanese International Cooperation Agency to cancel its contract with Sino Thai Engineering Company.

He said Supoj reported to police that only 5 million baht in cash was missing from his home but the confiscated amount is nearly 18 million baht.

Chalerm added that Supoj's claim that the money comes from his daughter's dowry is implausible.

The deputy premier said the issue will become clearer soon, and he asked the suspect leader of the burglary, who remains at large, to turn himself in to police for his own safety.

Chalerm's statement was in response to a question by Pheu Thai MP Pichet Choermunaphan over the possible connection of former ministers in the previous government with Supoj's alleged unusual wealth.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

Chalerm's statement was in response to a question by Pheu Thai MP Pichet Choermunaphan over the possible connection of former ministers in the previous government with Supoj's alleged unusual wealth.

It no doubt goes back farther than that.

In any case they are going after Newins Friends

as revenge for screwing Thaksin 3 years ago.

The wheel goes round, and Thaksin "doesn't want revenge"

and he ALWAYS TELLS THE TRUTH!

Edited November 25, 2011 by animatic

[Scott]

Some seriously off-topic posts and replies have been deleted. This is an on-going and developing story. It is NOT about Thaksin. Please stay on topic.

[Scott]

Two more off-topic posts have been deleted.

Warnings will be issued if you continue.

Please stay on-topic.

[jayboy]

Some seriously off-topic posts and replies have been deleted. This is an on-going and developing story. It is NOT about Thaksin. Please stay on topic.

Scott

For some I'm afraid the story is always about Thaksin!

[hanuman2543]

Chalerm should better shut up. He is really not the person who should judge over other persons alleged of corruption. How he aquired the money for his pink Bentley as a former policeman? He certainly knows the game.

Edited November 25, 2011 by hanuman2543

[Scott]

Yes, Jayboy, that is true. But not this thread and not today!

Especially since this thread is open and the perfect place for them:

Have the investigators been in the house and ascertained how much money was NOT stolen?

Edited November 25, 2011 by Scott
added

[EyesWideOpen]

This is the best Thai story ever !!! Looks like it is shaping up into a shouting match between the pots and the kettles, calling each other black... First off, I do not believe there is a single Thai politician who could withstand a full background investigation as to why they own a giant mansion, and have a fleet of Mercedes cars parked in front, all " purchased" on a civil servant salary...... This will never happen of course. But surely the most amusing part of this debacle is having umpteen million baht in boxes in your closet. Haven't these guys ever heard of off shore bank accounts ?? I think this guy has failed the basic IQ test...... :jap:

[Credo]

If only there was an international twist to this. It has managed to capture my attention in the same way the Saudi gem theft case did.

I really don't know why Hollywood doesn't look at some of the things happening in Thailand for script ideas. Maybe there just too unbelievable?

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

[PoorSucker]

Will he included in Chalerms Amnesty?

[geriatrickid]

At least the deputy PM is responding to the allegations of corruption. I suppose it hurts some people when they find out that other political groups and not the governing party are implicated.

I find it interesting that the Bhum Jai Thai Party;s former government ally, ex PM abhisit has remained quiet. The BJT did serve in the former Democrat government.

It is also fascinating that no one in the thread recognizes that the PTP government was wise to reject the BJT's efforts to join the PTP led coalition. PM Yingluck and her government would have been ripped apart in this thread had the decision been otherwise. Instead of bashing Deputy PM Chalerm, I suggest attention be directed to the former Democrat led government and its relations with the BJT. Discomforting for some, I suppose.

[animatic]

At least the deputy PM is responding to the allegations of corruption. I suppose it hurts some people when they find out that other political groups and not the governing party are implicated.

I find it interesting that the Bhum Jai Thai Party;s former government ally, ex PM abhisit has remained quiet. The BJT did serve in the former Democrat government.

It is also fascinating that no one in the thread recognizes that the PTP government was wise to reject the BJT's efforts to join the PTP led coalition. PM Yingluck and her government would have been ripped apart in this thread had the decision been otherwise. Instead of bashing Deputy PM Chalerm, I suggest attention be directed to the former Democrat led government and its relations with the BJT. Discomforting for some, I suppose.

Get real!

Dems tried to back off Bhum Jai too,

but didn't have the leverage at the time.

This is only revenge,

if he was serious he'd go after his own partners.

and THAT will never happen.

Edited November 25, 2011 by animatic

[EyesWideOpen]

At least the deputy PM is responding to the allegations of corruption. I suppose it hurts some people when they find out that other political groups and not the governing party are implicated.

I find it interesting that the Bhum Jai Thai Party;s former government ally, ex PM abhisit has remained quiet. The BJT did serve in the former Democrat government.

It is also fascinating that no one in the thread recognizes that the PTP government was wise to reject the BJT's efforts to join the PTP led coalition. PM Yingluck and her government would have been ripped apart in this thread had the decision been otherwise. Instead of bashing Deputy PM Chalerm, I suggest attention be directed to the former Democrat led government and its relations with the BJT. Discomforting for some, I suppose.

Why are you trying to muddy the waters by bringing up party issues ?? Is this some sort of debating trick?? Let's call a spade a spade. The simple reality is a government 'employee" got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, at a level that is boggling even the Thais where corruption is a part of daily business. Normally the elites close ranks when someone is caught, and nothing ever happens. But due to the size and scope of this affair, someone is going to have to be thrown to the wolves. The fact that Chalerm is doing the throwing, simply adds a delicious ironic twist......

[Thaddeus]

The deputy premier said the issue will become clearer soon, and he asked the suspect leader of the burglary, who remains at large, to turn himself in to police for his own safety.

-- Tan Network 2011-11-25

If the amount of money he has is as reported, that will buy a large amount of safety in Laos.

[webfact]

Chalerm's fabricated story a diversion to gov't failure: Sophon

The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung has fabricated a story about kickbacks in order to divert attention away from the government's failure to control the floods and the Thaksin pardon controversy, former transport minister Sophon Saram said on Friday.

"Chalerm staged a political drama in the House of Represenatives as a diversion from the raging controversy on pardon," he said in reference to the push to rescue former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from his legal wrangling.

Sophon said he was consulting with his legal team to sue Chalerm for libel.

In the House question-and-answer session on Thursday, Chalerm said the stolen cash from the home of Transport permanent secretary Suphoth Sublom might be kickbacks linked to the construction of the extension of the mass rapid transit network, known as the Purple, Blue and Red Lines.

The bidding for the contract took place when Sophon was the political overseer under the Bhum Jai Thai Party's quota.

Sophon urged the public not to draw a hasty conclusion. Police arrested suspects involved in breaking into Suphoth's home and the law should be allowed to run its course so the facts would come out, he said.

He said he was the only minister who did not know any contractors. He denied any involvement in the alleged irregularities.

He said he had no direct involvement in the bidding for the mass rapid transit network. The Red Line bidding happened under the Surayud Chulanont government and the Red extension project has not been bidded yet, he said.

The construction of the Purple Line was financed by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency which offered the most concessionary terms, he said.

Bhum Jai Thai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said Chalerm had engineered the question-and-answer session into a smear campaign. Pheu Thai MP Pichet Chuamuangpan framed the question for Chalerm to answer.

-- The Nation 2011-11-25

[SICHONSTEVE]

I am delighted that we have such fine upstanding politician as Khun Chalerm who is determined to wipe out corruption. In the short time he has been in post he has closed down all the gambling dens and now is targeting those public officials who are abusing their positions. I hope next it will be all those disgraceful sex establishments and perhaps while he is in full flow he could do something about those dreadful people who arrive at the airport in flip flops and vests, it really is quite appalling.

What drivel!!!

He hasn't closed down the gambling dens as they will simply magically reform somewhere else at a different location!!! The Thai's are absoutely ADDICTED to gambling and cannot survive without frittering their money away. They have gambling dens at funerals which are always packed out - this has always seemed rather disrespectful to me, but maybe I'm old fashioned or simply not Thai!!

The only reason he is doing what he is, is to save face for Yingluck's government - do you seriously think he woud have vounteered the information about the crooked poiticians if he hadn't been caught!!!!

Close down the "sex establishments" and bang goes your "testosterone charged" tourist industry. Likewise ban fip flops and vests and bang goes your "testosterone charged" tourist industry!!! On this last point, I didn't reaise that this was a heinous crime - is "fashion crime" on a par with murder?????.

[geriatrickid]

Get real!

Dems tried to back off Bhum Jai too, but didn't have the leverage at the time.

This is only revenge, if he was serious he'd go after his own partners.and THAT will never happen.

Ahh, so now you are claiming that the Democrats and the former PM Abhisit were forced to include the BJT in their administration. That's nice, but no one forced PM Abhisit to include the BJT. The current government also had to build a coalition, yet the government either by sheer luck or some political smarts did not include what is now a massive liability. Had the BJT party been included in the current government, I believe you and the usual gang of PTP bashers would have been screaming about corruption and blaming PM Yingluck for activities that appear to have occurred during the previous military junta administration and that carried on into the Democrat administration.

I am not accusing PM Abhisit for the alleged corruption, but it is obvious, that the gentleman's political accuity was not very good. it seems the former PM's quest for power and political opportunism has come back to bite him in his buttocks.

Please note that Deputy PM Chalerm is not implicated in the corruption, nor are the PTP's own partners. The allegations rest in the little corner of the political landscape that have BJT, Democrat and military junta territorial markers.

Edited November 25, 2011 by Scott
formatting

[geriatrickid]

*Deleted Quote edited out*

My point is that one cannot try to make links or attempt to link non implicated parties and not expect serious consequences. The former PM Surayud is not accused of wrongdoing. The mere mention of his administration willl not go unchallenged. Such comments are not considered acceptable by some people that matter.

Edited November 25, 2011 by Scott
reply to deleted quote edited out

[softgeorge]

Some seriously off-topic posts and replies have been deleted. This is an on-going and developing story. It is NOT about Thaksin. Please stay on topic.

Thank you very much Mr "M" the ills and woes of Mr "T" creeping into every single topic from goldfish breeding to pizza does get just a tad boring.

[mrfarang]

Get real!

Dems tried to back off Bhum Jai too, but didn't have the leverage at the time.

This is only revenge, if he was serious he'd go after his own partners.and THAT will never happen.

Ahh, so now you are claiming that the Democrats and the former PM Abhisit were forced to include the BJT in their administration. That's nice, but no one forced PM Abhisit to include the BJT. The current government also had to build a coalition, yet the government either by sheer luck or some political smarts did not include what is now a massive liability. Had the BJT party been included in the current government, I believe you and the usual gang of PTP bashers whould have been screaming about corruption and blaming PM Yingluck for activities that appear to have occurred during the previous military junta administration and that carried on into the Democrat administration.

I am not accusing PM Abhisit for the alleged corruption, but it is obvious, that the gentleman's political accuity was not very good. it seelms the former PM's lquest for power power and political opportunism has come back to bite him in his buttocks.

Please note that Deputy PM Chalerm is not implicated in the corruption, nor are the PTP's own partners. The allegations rest in he little corner of the political landscape that have BJT, Democrat and military junta territorial markers.

"LIKE"

Slowly but surely the corruption of the Democrats & Bhumjaithai of the past few years in power is starting to become visible.

Won't be long now and we'll have the first corruption trials of Democrat & Bhumjaithai politicians.

Edited November 25, 2011 by mrfarang

[geriatrickid]

At least the deputy PM is responding to the allegations of corruption. I suppose it hurts some people when they find out that other political groups and not the governing party are implicated.

I find it interesting that the Bhum Jai Thai Party;s former government ally, ex PM abhisit has remained quiet. The BJT did serve in the former Democrat government.

It is also fascinating that no one in the thread recognizes that the PTP government was wise to reject the BJT's efforts to join the PTP led coalition. PM Yingluck and her government would have been ripped apart in this thread had the decision been otherwise. Instead of bashing Deputy PM Chalerm, I suggest attention be directed to the former Democrat led government and its relations with the BJT. Discomforting for some, I suppose.

Why are you trying to muddy the waters by bringing up party issues ?? Is this some sort of debating trick?? Let's call a spade a spade. The simple reality is a government 'employee" got caught with his hand in the cookie jar, at a level that is boggling even the Thais where corruption is a part of daily business. Normally the elites close ranks when someone is caught, and nothing ever happens. But due to the size and scope of this affair, someone is gong to have to be thrown to the wolves. The fact that Chalerm is doing the throwing, simply adds a delicious ironic twist......

There is no muddying of the waters. The accused has not been proven guilty , so the claim of having been caught with his hand in the cookie jar is libelous. There are unproven allegations at this time and Deputy PM Chalerm has indicated that they will be investigated. You state that the Thai elites close ranks when someone is caught. Well, what do you think the reaction of those people will be now that the accused person has attempted to deflect the allegations by referencing the former PM Surayud? You can't do that, unless you are trying a hail mary pass with the clock having run out in the game. . It is an indirect way of blaming the former military rulers as PM Surayud was a military man. *(edited out)* This is not someone to be trifled with or even mentioned in a case of such gravity particularly since there is no evidence at this time that implicates the former PM.

Edited November 25, 2011 by Scott
reference edited out