NACC Indicts Vatana In Klong Dan Case: Thailand

[webfact]

NACC indicts Vatana in Klong Dan case

The Nation

Former science minister late Yingphan also indicted but Suwat is absolved

The national anti-graft agency yesterday resolved to indict fugitive former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame in connection with the Klong Dan scandal, its spokesman Klanarong Chantik said.

The members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) agreed unanimously that Vatana committed malfeasance and criminal coercion, according to the spokesman.

The NACC gave Vatana, who is now on the run, 15 days to explain himself on the corruption charge relating to the construction of the Klong Dan wastewater-treatment project in Samut Prakan.

The deadline could be extended at the request of the accused, Klanarong said.

Another ex-Cabinet member, the late former science and technology minister Yingphan Manasikarn, was also indicted by the NACC. Yingphan was found to have acted against a Cabinet resolution and a Prime Minister's Office regulation by hiring the project contractor at a price Bt1.4 billion higher than the median price.

The agency decided not to pursue a posthumous case against Yingphan, who died in December 2003.

The NACC members unanimously voted not to indict Suwat Liptapanlop, who was then the transport minister, because he was absent during a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the Bt23.7-billion project. They found he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his family firm, which was part of the contracting venture, had no management power, Klanarong said.

The agency also decided to pursue criminal and disciplinary cases against four former senior officials involved in the controversial project, and disciplinary action against seven less-senior officials, the spokesman said.

The Klong Dan scandal was brought to the attention of the National Counter-Corruption Committee, the NACC's precursor, in 1999. The investigation was taken over by the NACC after its establishment a year later. The probe was interrupted in 2004 and the current NACC resumed it in 2006.

The probe moved slowly because it involved 114 witnesses and 403 documents containing some 17,000 pages - most of them in English and requiring translation, Klanarong said.

Vatana, who is believed to have fled the country, was last seen publicly in June 2008. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division on Political Office Holders in August 2008 sentenced him to 10 years in jail for abuse of power and criminal coercion in connection with the Klong Dan scandal.

The court found Vatana, while serving as deputy interior minister, guilty of forcing state officials to issue land title deeds unlawfully for public land plots that were later sold to the Department of Pollution Control to house the Klong Dan wastewater-treatment project.

The project was approved in 1995. Two years later, Yingphan, then science minister, entered an agreement with the contractors. In 1999 local residents began a campaign against the project after learning public land was used.

A corruption investigation began after Vatana, then an influential politician from Samut Prakan, was accused of making profits from the land plots used in the project's construction.

-- The Nation 2011-12-09

[webfact]

Ex-deputy Interior Minister Found Guilty of Graft in Land Procurement

The anti-graft panel has resolved to indict ex-Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame of corruption in the land purchase for a wastewater management project.

National Counter Corruption Commission or NCCC member Klanarong Jantik revealed that the panel has agreed unanimously to indict former Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame for corruption in the land procurement for the wastewater management project in Samut Prakan's Klong Dan District.

The anti-graft panel found Wattana abused his power and is guilty of malfeasance by forcing state officials to issue land title deeds unlawfully for public land plots that were later sold to the Pollution Control Department to house the project.

The NACC gave Wattana, who is now on the run, 15 days to explain himself on the graft charge relating to the wastewater treatment project.

Wattana is believed to have fled the country after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division on Political Office Holders in August 2008 sentenced him to 10 years in jail for abuse of power and criminal coercion in connection with the Klong Dan scandal.

The NCCC also found former Science and Technology Minister Yingphan Manasikarn guilty of breaching the Cabinet resolution on the construction of the waste-water management project.

He is also facing criminal charges of corruption.

However, Yingphan has already passed away, so the case against him is terminated.

As for civil servants of the Pollution Control Department who have also been found guilty, they will face disciplinary and criminal punishment for malfeasance, and those who were not state officials will face only criminal punishment.

The anti-graft commission also found no evidence involving former Science and Technology Minister Suwat Liptapanlop in any corruption, despite allegations against him.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-09

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Another example of Thai justice swift and sure....

The NACC is going after one guy who's already been convicted in the case and hasn't been seen in Thailand and/or publicly for five years...

And another guy who died in 2003... well, at least that's what we're told... Perhaps he's actually living comfortably somewhere in Cambodia or Laos...

BTW, the articles keep using the term the NACC "indicted" or wants to indict these guys... But as best as I can recall, the toothless NACC can't actually take any legal action itself except to issue these kinds of public pronouncements, and has to rely on the equally toothless Attorney General's Office to pursue any litigation.

I'm suspecting the entire NACC will be dead before anything actually meaningful comes from this case.

[thaihome]

The NACC members unanimously voted not to indict Suwat Liptapanlop, who was then the transport minister, because he was absent during a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the Bt23.7-billion project. They found he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his family firm, which was part of the contracting venture, had no management power, Klanarong said.

They snuck that one in didn't they. Typical that the people that probably made the most money off the corrupt deal got away scot free.

Has Suwat will likely be in the cabinet by the end of next year, can't be having him convicted.

TH

[Thaddeus]

Ex-deputy Interior Minister Found Guilty of Graft in Land Procurement

The anti-graft panel has resolved to indict ex-Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame of corruption in the land purchase for a wastewater management project.

The NACC gave Wattana, who is now on the run, 15 days to explain himself on the graft charge relating to the wastewater treatment project.

-- Tan Network 2011-12-09

Grossly unfair, even The Spanish Inquisition gave 30 days notice (which no one expected)

[tragickingdom]

Look just another former justice minister....... it says a lot about justice in Thailand.

[Estrada]

The NACC members unanimously voted not to indict Suwat Liptapanlop, who was then the transport minister, because he was absent during a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the Bt23.7-billion project. They found he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his family firm, which was part of the contracting venture, had no management power, Klanarong said.

They snuck that one in didn't they. Typical that the people that probably made the most money off the corrupt deal got away scot free.

Has Suwat will likely be in the cabinet by the end of next year, can't be having him convicted.

TH

As I recall I met Suwat Liptapanlop in Miami at the time in the VIP section of the 1995 WEFTEC (Water Environment Federation

Technical Exhibition and Conference) although he tried to give me a false name and businesscard, as this was supposed to be a behind the scenes secret visit associated with the Khlong Dan Project. I also met Arisman's Brother who was looking after his brother's interest in the projects, and the Woman Head of a Khon Kaen University that is now running E-Sarn University which is under investigation by the Education Ministry for selling fake teaching degrees/certificates. They had been sponsored by the US Trade Department, whilst officially US Trade told me that there would be no sponsorhip of Thai Companies that year to visit the Water and Waste Exhibition. Since there were several large contracts in the offing including Khlong Dan Waste Treatment Plant and the BMA Garbage trucks purchasing as well as 7 x 1,000tonne per day incinerators, the whisper in the exhibition by soem of tehh exhibitors, was that they were negotiating a deal with the Americans sponsored by the American taxpayer to involve American Companies in the projects. Obviously Suwat could not be in two places at once whilst the Khlong Dan Project was being approved in Bangkok, but he was doing his bit in Miami. Suffice it to say that as a result of the trip the appointed Consultants were Metcalfe and Eddy and an American friend was the Project Manager. I therefore believe Suwat was involved in the Khlong Dan deal. I do not believe that the US Trade Department were allowed to arrange private jaunts for the MPs involved in approving the Khlong Dan Projects and I complained to them at the time that US Trade can only sponsor private Thai Companies. One of the Woman sponsored was a condo owner who ran a laundry, but the Wife of an MP!

Edited December 10, 2011 by Estrada

[Buchholz]

In Convicted Thai Politicians That Are Fugitives News:

Vatana Assavahame has made his first public appearance in four years, in China, Friday, at a temple he commissioned to be built and named Wat Hame Assavaram. It is the first Thevarada Buddhist to be built in China and cost the convicted fugitive 200 Million Baht. It took two years to build and is located in Luoyang.

There were hundreds of VIP guests that attended the opening ceremony, including Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn, a close aide of Thaksin, and Bannapot Damapong, Potjaman's brother and former brother-in-law of Thaksin.

Vatana fled Thailand in 2008 after being convicted of bribery and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He's the biggest shareholder in the Grand Diamond City Casino in Poipet, Cambodia, just across the border from Thailand.

Apparently business there has been good.

.

Edited July 23, 2012 by Buchholz

[chotthee]

In Convicted Thai Politicians That Are Fugitives News:

Vatana Assavahame has made his first public appearance in four years, in China, Friday, at a temple he commissioned to be built and named Wat Hame Assavaram. It is the first Thevarada Buddhist to be built in China and cost the convicted fugitive 200 Million Baht. It took two years to build and is located in Luoyang.

There were hundreds of VIP guests that attended the opening ceremony, including Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn, a close aide of Thaksin, and Bannapot Damapong, Potjaman's brother and former brother-in-law of Thaksin.

Vatana fled Thailand in 2008 after being convicted of bribery and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He's the biggest shareholder in the Grand Diamond City Casino in Poipet, Cambodia, just across the border from Thailand.

Apparently business there has been good.

And where is Thaksin?

[Buchholz]

In Convicted Thai Politicians That Are Fugitives News:

Vatana Assavahame has made his first public appearance in four years, in China, Friday, at a temple he commissioned to be built and named Wat Hame Assavaram. It is the first Thevarada Buddhist to be built in China and cost the convicted fugitive 200 Million Baht. It took two years to build and is located in Luoyang.

There were hundreds of VIP guests that attended the opening ceremony, including Pongsak Raktapongpaisarn, a close aide of Thaksin, and Bannapot Damapong, Potjaman's brother and former brother-in-law of Thaksin.

Vatana fled Thailand in 2008 after being convicted of bribery and sentenced to 10 years in prison.

He's the biggest shareholder in the Grand Diamond City Casino in Poipet, Cambodia, just across the border from Thailand.

Apparently business there has been good.

And where is Thaksin?

He's with Waldo.

.

[phiphidon]

The NACC members unanimously voted not to indict Suwat Liptapanlop, who was then the transport minister, because he was absent during a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the Bt23.7-billion project. They found he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his family firm, which was part of the contracting venture, had no management power, Klanarong said.

They snuck that one in didn't they. Typical that the people that probably made the most money off the corrupt deal got away scot free.

Has Suwat will likely be in the cabinet by the end of next year, can't be having him convicted.

TH

As I recall I met Suwat Liptapanlop in Miami at the time in the VIP section of the 1995 WEFTEC (Water Environment Federation

Technical Exhibition and Conference) although he tried to give me a false name and businesscard, as this was supposed to be a behind the scenes secret visit associated with the Khlong Dan Project. I also met Arisman's Brother who was looking after his brother's interest in the projects, and the Woman Head of a Khon Kaen University that is now running E-Sarn University which is under investigation by the Education Ministry for selling fake teaching degrees/certificates. They had been sponsored by the US Trade Department, whilst officially US Trade told me that there would be no sponsorhip of Thai Companies that year to visit the Water and Waste Exhibition. Since there were several large contracts in the offing including Khlong Dan Waste Treatment Plant and the BMA Garbage trucks purchasing as well as 7 x 1,000tonne per day incinerators, the whisper in the exhibition by soem of tehh exhibitors, was that they were negotiating a deal with the Americans sponsored by the American taxpayer to involve American Companies in the projects. Obviously Suwat could not be in two places at once whilst the Khlong Dan Project was being approved in Bangkok, but he was doing his bit in Miami. Suffice it to say that as a result of the trip the appointed Consultants were Metcalfe and Eddy and an American friend was the Project Manager. I therefore believe Suwat was involved in the Khlong Dan deal. I do not believe that the US Trade Department were allowed to arrange private jaunts for the MPs involved in approving the Khlong Dan Projects and I complained to them at the time that US Trade can only sponsor private Thai Companies. One of the Woman sponsored was a condo owner who ran a laundry, but the Wife of an MP!

Was your firm or one you were associated a failed bidder in this Khlong Dan project, just out of interest?

[Reasonableman]

The NACC members unanimously voted not to indict Suwat Liptapanlop, who was then the transport minister, because he was absent during a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the Bt23.7-billion project. They found he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his family firm, which was part of the contracting venture, had no management power, Klanarong said.

They snuck that one in didn't they. Typical that the people that probably made the most money off the corrupt deal got away scot free.

Has Suwat will likely be in the cabinet by the end of next year, can't be having him convicted.

TH

As I recall I met Suwat Liptapanlop in Miami at the time in the VIP section of the 1995 WEFTEC (Water Environment Federation

Technical Exhibition and Conference) although he tried to give me a false name and businesscard, as this was supposed to be a behind the scenes secret visit associated with the Khlong Dan Project. I also met Arisman's Brother who was looking after his brother's interest in the projects, and the Woman Head of a Khon Kaen University that is now running E-Sarn University which is under investigation by the Education Ministry for selling fake teaching degrees/certificates. They had been sponsored by the US Trade Department, whilst officially US Trade told me that there would be no sponsorhip of Thai Companies that year to visit the Water and Waste Exhibition. Since there were several large contracts in the offing including Khlong Dan Waste Treatment Plant and the BMA Garbage trucks purchasing as well as 7 x 1,000tonne per day incinerators, the whisper in the exhibition by soem of tehh exhibitors, was that they were negotiating a deal with the Americans sponsored by the American taxpayer to involve American Companies in the projects. Obviously Suwat could not be in two places at once whilst the Khlong Dan Project was being approved in Bangkok, but he was doing his bit in Miami. Suffice it to say that as a result of the trip the appointed Consultants were Metcalfe and Eddy and an American friend was the Project Manager. I therefore believe Suwat was involved in the Khlong Dan deal. I do not believe that the US Trade Department were allowed to arrange private jaunts for the MPs involved in approving the Khlong Dan Projects and I complained to them at the time that US Trade can only sponsor private Thai Companies. One of the Woman sponsored was a condo owner who ran a laundry, but the Wife of an MP!

Was your firm or one you were associated a failed bidder in this Khlong Dan project, just out of interest?

Do you have a special interest in knowing that, just out of interest?

[OzMick]

The NACC members unanimously voted not to indict Suwat Liptapanlop, who was then the transport minister, because he was absent during a Cabinet meeting that endorsed the Bt23.7-billion project. They found he was not involved in any wrongdoing and that his family firm, which was part of the contracting venture, had no management power, Klanarong said.

They snuck that one in didn't they. Typical that the people that probably made the most money off the corrupt deal got away scot free.

Has Suwat will likely be in the cabinet by the end of next year, can't be having him convicted.

TH

As I recall I met Suwat Liptapanlop in Miami at the time in the VIP section of the 1995 WEFTEC (Water Environment Federation

Technical Exhibition and Conference) although he tried to give me a false name and businesscard, as this was supposed to be a behind the scenes secret visit associated with the Khlong Dan Project. I also met Arisman's Brother who was looking after his brother's interest in the projects, and the Woman Head of a Khon Kaen University that is now running E-Sarn University which is under investigation by the Education Ministry for selling fake teaching degrees/certificates. They had been sponsored by the US Trade Department, whilst officially US Trade told me that there would be no sponsorhip of Thai Companies that year to visit the Water and Waste Exhibition. Since there were several large contracts in the offing including Khlong Dan Waste Treatment Plant and the BMA Garbage trucks purchasing as well as 7 x 1,000tonne per day incinerators, the whisper in the exhibition by soem of tehh exhibitors, was that they were negotiating a deal with the Americans sponsored by the American taxpayer to involve American Companies in the projects. Obviously Suwat could not be in two places at once whilst the Khlong Dan Project was being approved in Bangkok, but he was doing his bit in Miami. Suffice it to say that as a result of the trip the appointed Consultants were Metcalfe and Eddy and an American friend was the Project Manager. I therefore believe Suwat was involved in the Khlong Dan deal. I do not believe that the US Trade Department were allowed to arrange private jaunts for the MPs involved in approving the Khlong Dan Projects and I complained to them at the time that US Trade can only sponsor private Thai Companies. One of the Woman sponsored was a condo owner who ran a laundry, but the Wife of an MP!

Was your firm or one you were associated a failed bidder in this Khlong Dan project, just out of interest?

Are you suggesting his corruption charges are politically motivated?

Does that make them any less valid if they are accurate?

[Buchholz]

The anti-graft panel has resolved to indict ex-Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame of corruption in the land purchase for a wastewater management project.

National Counter Corruption Commission or NCCC member Klanarong Jantik revealed that the panel has agreed unanimously to indict former Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame for corruption in the land procurement for the wastewater management project in Samut Prakan's Klong Dan District.

The anti-graft panel found Wattana abused his power and is guilty of malfeasance by forcing state officials to issue land title deeds unlawfully for public land plots that were later sold to the Pollution Control Department to house the project.

And now the Administrative Court has directed the Pollution Control Department to pay 9 Billion Baht in damages to the NVPSKG consortium that was involved in the corruption-plagued Klong Dan waste water treatment project in Samut Prakan.

The amount is for construction costs before the project was scrapped (after it had been 98% completed), plus compensation and interest.

The Pollution Control Department Director-General said the department would appeal the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Meanwhile, the convicted fugitive former Deputy Interior Minister Vatana remains AWOL and in charge of his Cambodian casinos.

.

[Valentine]

The anti-graft panel has resolved to indict ex-Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame of corruption in the land purchase for a wastewater management project.

National Counter Corruption Commission or NCCC member Klanarong Jantik revealed that the panel has agreed unanimously to indict former Deputy Interior Minister Wattana Asavahame for corruption in the land procurement for the wastewater management project in Samut Prakan's Klong Dan District.

The anti-graft panel found Wattana abused his power and is guilty of malfeasance by forcing state officials to issue land title deeds unlawfully for public land plots that were later sold to the Pollution Control Department to house the project.

And now the Administrative Court has directed the Pollution Control Department to pay 9 Billion Baht in damages to the NVPSKG consortium that was involved in the corruption-plagued Klong Dan waste water treatment project in Samut Prakan.

The amount is for construction costs before the project was scrapped (after it had been 98% completed), plus compensation and interest.

The Pollution Control Department Director-General said the department would appeal the decision to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Meanwhile, the convicted fugitive former Deputy Interior Minister Vatana remains AWOL and in charge of his Cambodian casinos.

.

So 9 billion of tax payer's money will be paid out for damages which were caused by a convicted criminal now supposedly living the high life in Cambodia? I wonder how many more years before he can return when the statute of limitations runs out? It sickens me to see this beautiful country being robbed blind by the so called pillars of society. I am thinking about crossing over to an alternate universe where all these scumbags actually get convicted, all their wealth stripped & spend a long time behind bars as it will never happen in this Thai universe. Sadly the morals & integrity in this country have been falling over the precipice for a long time.