Yingluck Faces Ombudsman's Probe Over Appointments Of Nalinee And Natthawut

[gopnarak]

I received this from our US based supplier:

Please be advised that we will no longer be able to process any orders.

Please see the notification we have received and this basically has tied our hands regarding any shipments made. We truly regret informing you of our action, however we do hope that you understand; and once Ms. Nalinee Taveesin is no longer involved with the government or removed from the SDN list, we can resume working together.

Time to look for a supplier who is not based in the US.

[webfact]

PM was 'unaware' of US sanction against Nalinee

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday insisted to the House she was unaware of any US Treasury sanction against PM's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin before inducting her into the Cabinet.

"As I considered appointing [Nalinee], I verified the facts and [Nalinee's qualification] in the context of the Constitution. I did not know [about the US sanction against Nalinee]. And after I learned [about it] from the media, I took it as Nalinee's individual issue. And there has not been any official conclusion at the moment. According to the principle of personal rights, as long as there is no conclusion we must follow justice along with the rights. To relieve House members' concern, once there is any formal or legal conclusion, I am ready to comply with that," Yingluck said.

She was speaking at the question-and-answer session when Democrat MP Rachada Dhnadirek posed a query on Nalinee's qualifications.

Yingluck said after she had learned about the sanction, authorities advised her that Nalinee's appointment was in accordance with the Constitution and laws.

The sanction was a personal issue which Nalinee was in the process of rectifying by appealing to the US Treasury Department, she said.

Pending a resolution of the sanction and a valid objection to Nalinee's legal qualification to hold office, she was obliged to give her minister a chance to work.

Rachada asked whether there was any evidence to assure people the appointment was not morally wrong, and what would be the proof of what Nalinee had said?

"It is necessary for me to know that the Prime Minister had asked the US to clarify [its decision] as to whether [Nalinee] acted as she has been accused. More importantly, I need evidence and information to show that what Nalinee announced to the media was all true. For example, she said she could visit the US. What is the evidence to prove that her statement is true?" Rachada said.

Yingluck did not offer any evidence and left the response to her deputy Chalerm Yoobamrung and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Today, the House member asked for the evidence, but we [the Cabinet] are here to respond to the administrative aspect and facts. If you ask about evidence, it is related to the law.

"I will have my deputy Chalerm and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs give information. We have to follow steps to see the evidence," Yingluck said, and the questions ended there.

Replying to Rachada's queries yesterday, Yingluck told the House only that Nalinee had a good education and work experience.

There had been no complaints against her during her five years as Thai Trade representative so Nalinee was qualified to be a minister.

The PM did not say whether she had known about the US sanction previously, but had asked Chalerm to clarify the legal aspects.

However, Rachada insisted she was asking about facts, not the law. House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont agreed and asked Yingluck to clarify the situation.

-- The Nation 2012-02-03

[Ricardo]

That photo is begging for a caption. Chalerm "I know where you've been."

I'm sure ther is better than that.

"I do too write my own lines"

"I'm the Prime Minister, you know"

"But the Davos-branch of Prada refused to give me the special-discount for Prime-Ministers !"

"Don't you know who my brother is ?"

[Ricardo]

That photo is begging for a caption. Chalerm "I know where you've been."

I'm sure ther is better than that.

"No really, I used to run a major Thai company, all on my own !"

"At least I can leave the country, without a coup taking place, while I'm not-in-charge !"

"Jatuporn tells me, someone close to me is after my job !"

"I'm really looking forward to meeting the poor, I hear they're frightfully nice chap/chapesses !"

"And at the end, they all applauded my speech, which that nice RA had written for me !"

[Ricardo]

That photo is begging for a caption. Chalerm "I know where you've been."

I'm sure ther is better than that.

"At least in Davos, they bothered to show up, to hear my thoughts on Thailand's economic-future !"

"I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with ... "

"But although the lunchtime-buffet in Davos had lots of yucky farang-food, at least I didn't get food-poisoning from it !"

"But I thought this was only a temporary position, when I was asked to cover it !"

"Tell the Cabinet, if they don't all send me Valentines-Day cards, then they're out !"

[Ricardo]

That photo is begging for a caption. Chalerm "I know where you've been."

I'm sure ther is better than that.

"Explain to me again, why do I have to give my new Samsung-Galaxy, to some snotty-nosed Prathom-1 student ?"

"My brother says that his return-flight home is delayed, due to cracks in the runway, at Swampy !"

"And the in-flight catering was disgraceful, next time I'm flying Air-Asia, to Europe !"

"I'm not boring you, am I ?"

"I'd really love to meet the new PM, I've read that she's a woman, could you introduce me to her ?"

Edited February 3, 2012 by Ricardo

[webfact]

PM Yingluck confirms legitimacy in the appointment of Nalinee Thavisin

BANGKOK, 3 January 2012 (NNT) - The prime minister has affirmed with the Lower House that the appointment of a new minister to PM’s office, whose name is on the US blacklist, is legitimate.

The queries on newly-appointed PM's Office Minister Nalinee Thavisin have been raised again during the House of Representatives meeting on Thursday by Democrat Party MP Rachada Dhnadirek.

Ms. Rachada asked the premier whether she is aware of the blacklisting of Mrs. Nalinee.

Last month, the US Embassy in Bangkok issued a statement, confirming that Mrs. Nalinee's name has been on the list of the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) since 2008, for her facilitation of a number of financial, real-estate and gems-related transactions on behalf of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's wife Grace Mugabe and other Zimbabweans on the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.

With her name on the blacklist, American citizens or entities have been prohibited from doing business with Mrs. Nalinee, while her assets, if they went through a US jurisdiction, would be frozen.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra told the Lower House that she is confident the appointment of Mrs. Nalinee Thavisin as a minister to the PM's Office is a legitimate decision.

The PM added that Mrs. Nalinee is qualified to hold the position, based on her educational credentials and work experience. Moreover, there has been no indication that her appointment will violate the Constitution.

However, PM Yingluck stated that if a proof can be produced to prove that Mrs. Nalinee's appointment is against the law, she will be ready to review her decision.

-- NNT 2012-02-03

[whybother]

However, PM Yingluck stated that if a proof can be produced to prove that Mrs. Nalinee's appointment is against the law, she will be ready to review her decision.

How about reviewing your decision based on ethical issues?

[Ricardo]

That photo is begging for a caption. Chalerm "I know where you've been."

I'm sure ther is better than that.

"Mrs Mugabe asked me to pass her Best Regards, to all her many friends, in my Cabinet !"

Chalerm ... "Gottle o' geer"

[SICHONSTEVE]

I can't really see that appointing either of these would be against the law. Stupid and unethical maybe.

It doesn't have to be against the law - if it is deemed unethical then it has to be justified. Besides, there must be tens of thousands of people more worthy and deserving of these positions out there than these two disgusting miscreants accused of terrorism and having dealings with a dictator's wife amongst other dubious activities!!!!

Not exactly the ideal credentials for office don't you think!!!! They will both use their positions of office to make money (illegaly) and are probably working on the means of how to right now

[SICHONSTEVE]

However, PM Yingluck stated that if a proof can be produced to prove that Mrs. Nalinee's appointment is against the law, she will be ready to review her decision.

How about reviewing your decision based on ethical issues?

She would have to be told what this word (ethics) means first, as she has probably never heard of it before!!!!

Edited February 3, 2012 by SICHONSTEVE

[Buchholz]

Yingluck unaware of Nalinee's sanction

BANGKOK:--Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday insisted she had been unaware of the US Treasury sanction against PM's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin prior to bringing her into the Cabinet.

"I did not know (about Nalinee being sanctioned) and the checks on Nalinee's records found everything in order," she said.

It's a pity that these "checks" didn't include a simple Google search on her name.

If they had, then it would have at least been

Yingluck Aware of Nalinee's Sanction, but doesn't care

which is where it stands now anyway

Edited February 3, 2012 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

"I'd really love to meet the new PM, I've read that she's a woman, could you introduce me to her ?"

.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet secretary general Amphon Kittiampon will have 15 days to defend the two appointments, ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said on Thursday.

tick-tock ... 14 days now

[pimay11]

Chalerm: I am sick and tired of your stupid mouth. Just go shopping and let me run things as usual.

[anterian]

I received this from our US based supplier:

Please be advised that we will no longer be able to process any orders.

Please see the notification we have received and this basically has tied our hands regarding any shipments made. We truly regret informing you of our action, however we do hope that you understand; and once Ms. Nalinee Taveesin is no longer involved with the government or removed from the SDN list, we can resume working together.

So you're suggesting that an American company can't do business with Thailand specifically because of Nalinee? I find that very hard to believe.

I wish it were true, no more McDonalds

[yumidesign]

She's either a liar or she's ignorant. Our PM!

i feel she has already proven to be both of the above. There was an old interview with her on Australian network TV last night where she said the biggest problem for Thailand was 'Debt' and now she his hell bent on borrowing more money and her english was so poor she made no sense most of the time. Asked about being a clone of Dr T her reply was unintelligible rubbish

[Buchholz]

She's either a liar or she's ignorant. Our PM!

i feel she has already proven to be both of the above. There was an old interview with her on Australian network TV last night where she said the biggest problem for Thailand was 'Debt' and now she his hell bent on borrowing more money and her English was so poor she made no sense most of the time. Asked about being a clone of Dr T her reply was unintelligible rubbish

It's a reoccurring issue with her.

.

[Dap]

If ? "I didn't know"was accepted legally in a Court of Law, as a legitimate defence,then half the Jails would be empty.

Of course I may be wrong, but I believe, in the US "Ignorance is no excuse of the law."

[Ricardo]

That photo is begging for a caption. Chalerm "I know where you've been."

I'm sure ther is better than that.

"But there's a Sale on, at Central, why do I have to stay sitting here all day, instead ?"

"They told me it was just a few photo-shoots, for a poster-campaign, then I'd be able to delegate everything else to you !"

"What do you mean, I've got to wait until May ?"

"Mark warned me, as he left the building, that I might have the odd problem with older more-experienced politicians wanting to run things, but I think the peoples' new 'True Democracy' is going just fine, so why do they all keep running to Dubai. instead of asking me what I have decided to do ?"

"You mean helicopters can fly in the dark ? Why did nobody tell me!"

Edited February 3, 2012 by Ricardo

[khaowong1]

If ? "I didn't know"was accepted legally in a Court of Law, as a legitimate defence,then half the Jails would be empty.

Of course I may be wrong, but I believe, in the US "Ignorance is no excuse of the law."

Law, we don't need no stinking law.. :-)

[pastitche]

He noted that if no clarification is received within 15 days, he will exercise his right to take legal action for criminal offenses against the four.

tick, tock

.

Given your widely recognised knowledge can you explain how the appointment of a person on a US blacklist is an infringement of the Thai Constitution? What has she done except incur the interest and condemnation of another country?

The other individual's a different question altogether since these are internal Thai matters

[slapout]

Have any appointments made in this country been based on qualifications/experience? This is most likely another payback for past favors or those to be requested. If qualifications were a requirement for position, the PM would not be in Bangkok, much less rambling on about something she was probably instructed to do.

[sparebox2]

What law did she breaks?

Bad judgement law?

[Publicus]

I received this from our US based supplier:

Please be advised that we will no longer be able to process any orders.

Please see the notification we have received and this basically has tied our hands regarding any shipments made. We truly regret informing you of our action, however we do hope that you understand; and once Ms. Nalinee Taveesin is no longer involved with the government or removed from the SDN list, we can resume working together.

So you're suggesting that an American company can't do business with Thailand specifically because of Nalinee? I find that very hard to believe.

Here's the 2003 Executive Order by the president, focusing only on Zimbabwe nationals. As anyone can recognize in the language and in the laws, this is a serious matter. Note that Grace Mugabe appears as number 45 on this original Executive Order regarding Zimbabwe.

Immediate Release

Office of the Press Secretary

March 7, 2003

Executive Order: Blocking Property Of Persons Undermining Democratic Processes Or Institutions In Zimbabwe

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C.1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.1601 et seq.), and Section 301 of Title 3, United States Code, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, have determined that the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions, contributing to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Zimbabwe, to politically motivated violence and intimidation in that country, and to political and economic instability in the southern African region, constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, and I hereby declare a national emergency to deal with that threat.

I hereby order:

Section1. Except to the extent provided in Section 203 (of IEEPA (50 U.S.C.1702), and in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order, all property and interests in property of the following persons that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of United States persons, including their overseas branches, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in:

(a) the persons listed in the Annex to this order; and any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to be owned or controlled by, or acting or purporting to act directly or indirectly for or on behalf of, any of the persons listed in the Annex to this order.

Sec. 2. (a) Any transaction or dealing by a United States person or within the United States in property or interests in property blocked pursuant to this order is prohibited, including but not limited to the making or receiving of any contribution of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of any person listed in the Annex to this order or who is the subject of a determination under subsection 1 of this order.

Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

Any conspiracy formed to violate the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

Sec. 3. For the purposes of this order:

(a) The term "person" means an individual or entity;

The term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization; and

The term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation withthe Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to me by IEEPA, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions to other officers and agencies of the United States Government. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order.

Sec. 5. This order is not intended to create, nor does it create, any right, benefit, or privilege, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party against the United States, its agencies, officers, employees, or any other person.

Sec. 6. (a) This order is effective at 12:01 Eastern Standard Time on March 7, 2003; and

This order shall be transmitted to the Congress and published in the Federal Register.

GEORGE W. BUSH

THE WHITE HOUSE,

March 6, 2003.

ANNEX

1. Robert Gabriel MUGABE [President of Zimbabwe, born 21 Feb. 1924]

2. Flora BUKA [Minister of State for Land Reform, born 25 Feb. 1968]

3. George CHARAMBA [Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, born 4 Apr. 1963]

4. Fortune CHARUMBIRA [Deputy Minister for Local Government, Public Works, and National Housing, born 10 June 1962]

5. Aeneas CHIGWEDERE [Minister of Education, Sports and Culture, born 25 Nov. 1939]

6. Augustine CHIHURI [Police Commissioner, born 10 Mar. 1953]

7. Enos CHIKOWORE [Politburo Secretary for Land and Resettlement, born 17 July 1942]

8. Patrick CHINAMASA [Minister of Justice, born 25 Jan. 1947]

9. Edward CHINDORI-CHININGA [Minister of Mines, born 14 Mar. 1955]

10. Constantine CHIWENGA [Lt. Gen., Commander of the Army, born 25 Aug. 1956]

11. Willard CHIWEWE [senior Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, born 19 Mar. 1949]

12. Ignatius CHOMBO [Minister of Local Government, born 1 Aug. 1952]

13. Dumiso DABENGWA [Politburo Senior Committee Member, born 6 Dec. 1939]

14. Nicholas GOCHE [Minister of State for National Security, born 1 Aug. 1946]

15. Rugare GUMBO [Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, born 8 Mar. 1940]

16. Richard HOVE [Politburo Secretary for Economic Affairs, born 23 Sept. 1939]

17. David KARIMANZIRA [Politburo Secretary for Finance, born 25 May 1947]

18. Saviour KASUKUWERE [Deputy-Secretary for Youth Affairs, born 23 Oct. 1970]

19. Christopher KURUNERI [Deputy Minister, Finance and Economic Development, born 4 Apr. 1949]

20. Thenjiwe LESABE [Politburo Secretary for Women's Affairs, born 5 Jan. 1933]

21. Jaison MACHAYA [Deputy Minister for Mines and Mining Development, born 13 June 1952]

22. Joseph MADE [Minister of Agriculture, born 21 Nov. 1954]

23. Edna MADZONGWE [Deputy-Secretary for Production and Labor, born 11 July 1943]

24. Shuvai MAHOFA [Deputy Minister for Youth Development, Gender and Employment Creation, born 4 Apr. 1941]

25. Joshua MALINGA [Deputy-Secretary for Disabled and Disadvantaged, born 28 Apr. 1944]

26. Paul MANGWANA [Minister of State for State Enterprises and Parastatals, born 10 Aug. 1961]

27. Witness MANGWENDE [Minister of Transport and Communications, born 15 Aug. 1946]

28. Elliot MANYIKA [Minister of Youth Development, born 30 July 1955]

29. Kenneth MANYONDA [Deputy Minister for Industry and International Trade, born 10 Aug. 1934]

30. Reuben MARUMAHOKO [Deputy Minister for Energy and Power Development, born 4 Apr. 1948]

31. Angeline MASUKU [Politburo Secretary for Disabled and Disadvantaged Person's Welfare, born 14 Oct. 1936]

32. Sithokozile MATHUTHU [Deputy-Secretary for Transport and Social Welfare]

33. Amos Bernard Muvenga MIDZI [Minister for Energy and Development, born 4 July 1952]

34. Emmerson MNANGAGWA [Parliamentary Speaker, born 15 Sept. 1946]

35. Kembo MOHADI [Minister of Home Affairs, born 15 Nov. 1949]

36. Swithun MOMBESHORA [Minister of Higher Education, born 20 Aug. 1945]

37. Jonathan MOYO [Minister of Information, born 12 Jan. 1957]

38. July MOYO [Minister of Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare, born 7 May 1950]

39. Simon Khaya MOYO [Deputy-Secretary for Legal Affairs, born 1945]

40. Obert MPOFU [Deputy-Secretary for National Security, born 12 Oct. 1951]

41. Joseph MSIKA [Vice President, born 6 Dec. 1923]

42. Olivia MUCHENA [Minister of State for Science and Technology Development, born 18 Aug. 1946]

43. Opah MUCHINGURI [Politburo Secretary for Gender and Culture, born 14 Dec. 1958]

44. Stan MUDENGE [Minister of Foreign Affairs, born 17 Dec. 1948]

45. Grace MUGABE [born 23 July 1965]

46. Sabina MUGABE [Politburo Senior Committee Member, born 14 Oct. 1934]

47. Joyce MUJURU [Minister of Rural Resources and Water, born 15 Apr. 1955]

48. Solomon MUJURU [Politburo Senior Committee Member, born 1 May 1949]

49. Samuel MUMBENGEGWI [Minister of Industry and International Trade, born 20 July 1945]

50. Herbert MURERWA [Minister of Finance, born 31 July 1941]

51. Christopher MUSHOHWE [Deputy Minister, Transport and Communications, born 6 Feb. 1954]

52. Didymus MUTASA [Politburo Secretary for External Relations, born 27 July 1935]

53. Kenneth MUTIWEKUZIVA [Deputy Minister for Small and Medium Enterprise Development, born 27 May 1948]

54. Simon Vengesai MUZENDA [Vice President, born 28 Oct. 1922]

55. Tsitsi MUZENDA [Politburo Senior Committee Member, born 28 Aug. 1922]

56. Elisha MUZONZINI [Director of the Central Intelligence Organization, born 24 June 1957]

57. Abedinico NCUBE [Deputy Minister, Foreign Affairs, born 13 March 1954]

58. Naison NDLOVU [Politburo Secretary for Production and Labor, born 22 Oct. 1930]

59. Sikhanyiso NDLOVU [Deputy-Secretary for Commissariat, born 20 Sept. 1949]

60. Francis NHEMA [Minister of Environment and Tourism, born 17 Apr. 1959]

61. John NKOMO [Minister of State for Special Affairs, born 22 Aug. 1934]

62. Stephen NKOMO [Politburo Senior Committee Member, born 3 Oct. 1926]

63. Sithembiso NYONI [Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, born 20 Sept. 1949]

64. David PARIRENYATWA [Minister of Health and Child Welfare, born 2 Aug. 1950]

65. Selina POTE [Deputy-Secretary for Gender and Culture]

66. Tinos RUSERE [Deputy Minister for Rural Resources and Water Development, born 10 May 1945]

67. Stanley SAKUPWANYA [Deputy-Secretary for Health and Child Welfare]

68. Sidney SEKERAMAYI [Minister of Defense, born 30 Mar. 1944]

69. Nathan SHAMUYARIRA [Politburo Secretary for Information and Publicity, born 29 Sept. 1928]

70. Perence SHIRI [Air Marshal (Air Force), born 11 Jan. 1955]

71. Isaiah SHUMBA [Deputy Minister, Education, Sports and Culture, born 3 Jan. 1949]

72. Absolom SIKOSANA [Politburo Secretary for Youth Affairs]

73. Solomon TAWENGWA [Deputy-Secretary for Finance, born 15 June 1940]

74. Josiah TUNGAMIRAI [Politburo Secretary for Empowerment and Indigenization, born 8 Oct. 1948]

75. Charles UTETE [Cabinet Secretary, born 30 Oct. 1938]

76. Paradzai ZIMONDI [Prisons chief, born 4 Mar. 1947]

77. Vitalis ZVINAVASHE [General, Commander of Zimbabwe Defense Forces, born 27 Sept. 1943]

Note: The bracketed identifying information with respect to each person listed in this Annex reflects information currently available and is provided solely to facilitate compliance with this order. Each individual listed in this Annex remains subject to the prohibitions of this order notwithstanding any change in title, position, or affiliation.

Edited February 3, 2012 by Publicus

[Bagwan]

"I did not know (about Nalinee being sanctioned) and the checks on Nalinee's records found everything in order," she said.

She is using the Sgt. Schultz excuse. I know nothing!

Very interesting, but stupid (German soldier character in Rowan and Martin's Laugh In.)

Oh no. I've started to compare Yingluck with Goldie Hawn. What a flight of fancy.

[Ricardo]

Surely 'Hogan's Heroes', not the Laugh-In, although I would rate both as 'Very Interesting, but also very stupid' !

[Buchholz]

Surely 'Hogan's Heroes', not the Laugh-In, although I would rate both as 'Very Interesting, but also very stupid' !

He's referencing Arte Johnson AKA Wolfgang from Laugh-In

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arte_Johnson

American characterization of Germans on 1960's television left a lot to be desired.... (nevertheless, both characters were very funny).

Edited February 4, 2012 by Buchholz

[webfact]

Action on new ministers unlikely

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Office of the Ombudsman is unlikely to take action against two newly appointed Cabinet members for alleged moral wrongdoing because the petition against them was filed before they assumed office, Ombudsman Siracha Charoenpanij said yesterday.

He said Prime Minister's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin and Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua were not Cabinet members when the petition was filed against them.

"The two persons were not actually public officials when they were accused of moral wrongdoing," he said.

However, Siracha said his office would continue its investigation to determine whether Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kitti-ampon were aware of any issues that would have disqualified Nalinee and Natthawut before they were appointed to the Cabinet.

-- The Nation 2012-02-04

[Buchholz]

Democrats blame government for concealing information

BANGKOK, 3 February 2012 (NNT)-Democrat Party Spokesman Mr. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut has branded the government as ‘autocrats’ for concealing information from the public and not allowing the Opposition enough time to debate the controversial loan decrees.

He said he was caught by surprise when Deputy Prime Minister Police Captain Chalerm Yubumrung answered a Democrat query when it was meant for the Prime Minister to provide the explanation.

The question was about the inclusion into the Cabinet of Mrs. Nalinee Thaweesin who remains on the U.S. blacklist of business sanction. Mr. Chavanond claimed the question was irrelevant to law and did not require any expertise to talk on the subject.

The Democrat Spokesperson said the government’s attitude to the issue implied its intention to conceal information from Thai people. He also said while his Party was preparing to disclose some information that could have change the course of the decrees, the ruling party decided to cut short the debate on the matter.

-- NNT 2012-02-03