Assets Of New Thai Ministers Announced

[webfact]

Assets of New Ministers Announced

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission reports the assets of new Cabinet ministers who took office in January. A deputy prime minister is the richest among all the newly-appointed ministers.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission, or NACC, issued details about the assets reports of 16 ministers appointed to the Yingluck administration on January 23.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na Ranong posted assets of over 60 million baht while Deputy Prime Minister General Yutthasak Sasiprapa enjoys wealth of over 380 million baht, making him the richest among the new ministers.

Some other ministers who posted more than 100 million baht in wealth include PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, who has 137 million baht in assets, with 129 million baht belonging to his wife, and Deputy Public Health Minister Surawit Khonsomboon at 101 million baht.

Most other ministers reported assets in the tens of millions of baht, such as

- PM's Office Minister Worawat Ua-apinyakul at 24 million baht,

- PM's Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin at 18 million baht,

- Defense Minister Air Chief Marshal Sukampol Suwannatat at 49 million baht,

- Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikua at 16 million baht,

- Transport Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan at 17 million baht,

- Deputy Transport Minister Chatchart Sittipan at 50 million baht,

- Energy Minister Arak Cholatanont at 82 million baht,

- Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom at 15 million baht,

- Education Minister Suchart Thadathamrongvej at 30 million baht,

- Deputy Education Minister Sakda Kongpetch at 19 million baht, and Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti at 41 million baht.

- Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-15

[ratcatcher]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

[pedro01]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

[pimay11]

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Not bad for an old farm boy.

[moe666]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

Maybe he isn't a thief, how do these guys acumulate so much wealth when their pay has never been that high.

[OzMick]

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Not bad for an old farm boy.

Only 14 years since he finished his degree, with a wife and 2 kids. Unusually wealthy?

[teko]

Our taxes at work!

[ratcatcher]

Our taxes at work!

Our taxes Thaksin at work.

[samuitone]

Highest paid civil servants in the region ?

[trainman34014]

So much for 'The Party Of The Poor People' !

[Heimdallr]

If those numbers are even close to the reality, I must say I was wrong about them being corrupt. Most aren't even millionaires in terms of US dollars.

Edited March 15, 2012 by Heimdallr

[MAJIC]

Wonder what the bottom feeding Red Shirts,think about this?

Seems like the Democrats don't have it all!

[MEL1]

PM's Office Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal, who has 137 million baht in assets, with 129 million baht belonging to his wife!

I'd like to see how the banks assessed her incomes into her accounts, as all he has done is bought a Ph.D. and written a single thesis.

Shift the tea quickly to wifey. What a load of codswallop this report is, as when Niwatthamwrong gets robbed of 248M Baht, and his wifey can't account for it - hum?

But then again, wifey keeps her stash at home, doesn't she?

-mel.

[softgeorge]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

Maybe that is all he declared, did anyone check his mattress.

[pipo1000]

Strange that those ministers always seem to have such rich wifes.

I recall even one that had gardners that had more assets than himself.

[DP25]

These people don't report their real assets, they report as little they can get away with and hide as much as they can. Huge income streams that aren't reported or documented anywhere, property hidden in other people's names, piles of cash and gold hidden in their houses, millions of dollars hidden in offshore accounts. One guy claims only 382,000 baht, does he take the Baht Bus to work every day?

[Buchholz]

- Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikua at 16 million baht

I wonder if the indicted Red Shirt Leader will end up having further explaining to do with his cohort Red Shirt Leaders like last time?

I also wonder how he's lost millions of baht in assets since 2007 when he had 20 million baht in just one stockholding...

Senator: Former PM's Office Minister Failed to Report All Assets

A Senator has unveiled a suspicious move by the former Prime Minister's Office Minister involving holding shares in a company that produced a pro-government TV show on NBT. The share-holding was not reported to the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana disclosed additional evidence about the shareholder of Phuanphong Nongphee Company, the producer of the government-hosted TV program, Kwam Jing Wannee" or "Today's Truth" on NBT.

According to the company's shareholder information as of April 30th, 2007, he said that Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua holds 200,000 shares in the company totalling 20 million baht, while party-list MP from People Power Party, Jatuporn Promphan and a Party executive of the former Thai Rak Thai Party, Veera Musikapong hold 100,000 shares totalling ten million baht each.

All were members of the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

Ruangkrai wondered about the source of income the three used for the share procurement valued at 30 million baht.

He added that Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut sold 100,000 of shares worth ten million baht to former Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair on June 4th, 2007.

However, in accordance with the asset declaration to the National Counter Corruption Commission, it has been discovered that Jakrapob has assets totaling nine million baht.

Ruangkrai is also suspicious about the share transfers of all the company's equity holders to other individuals during the general election period between October 31st of 2007 and January 15th of 2008.

- Thailand Outlook / 2008-08-15

[givenall]

So much for 'The Party Of The Poor People' !

But they have high purchasing power

[Skywalker69]

Tea-money from the boss in Dubai?

[kimamey]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

I would say he's either very bad at finance or very good at finance.

What do they count as assets?

Unless he rents he must own a property worth more than that. What about a car?. If you're worth billions then a new Honda Jazz won't make much difference but for this guy it could significantly increase his assets.

[Buchholz]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

I would say he's either very bad at finance or very good at finance.

What do they count as assets?

Unless he rents he must own a property worth more than that. What about a car?. If you're worth billions then a new Honda Jazz won't make much difference but for this guy it could significantly increase his assets.

They are require to provide information on all assets.... as well as liabilities.

ORGANIC ACT ON COUNTER CORRUPTION, B.E. 2542 (1999)

Persons holding political positions shall, on each occasion of taking or vacating office, submit to the N.C.C. Commission an account showing particulars of their assets and liabilities and those of their spouses and children who have not yet become sui juris as they actually exist on the date of the submission

With the new Cabinet minister's assets considered, I note that Science Minister Plodprasop, of 1,000 boats in the flooded river fame, remains the richest Cabinet minister, allegedly richer even than Yingluck.

.

Edited March 15, 2012 by Buchholz

[oilreg]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

compared to the average income here in thailand that one seems to be the only non corrupt,

[easybullet3]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

i'm sure he has millions elsewhere!! do you even believe any of the claims above?

[anterian]

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets. Yet presumably lives a comfortable lifestyle. Ironic then that a resident farang is expected to have more than double this at 800,000 Baht.

[phiphidon]

- Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikua at 16 million baht

I wonder if the indicted Red Shirt Leader will end up having further explaining to do with his cohort Red Shirt Leaders like last time?

I also wonder how he's lost millions of baht in assets since 2007 when he had 20 million baht in just one stockholding...

Senator: Former PM's Office Minister Failed to Report All Assets

A Senator has unveiled a suspicious move by the former Prime Minister's Office Minister involving holding shares in a company that produced a pro-government TV show on NBT. The share-holding was not reported to the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana disclosed additional evidence about the shareholder of Phuanphong Nongphee Company, the producer of the government-hosted TV program, Kwam Jing Wannee" or "Today's Truth" on NBT.

According to the company's shareholder information as of April 30th, 2007, he said that Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua holds 200,000 shares in the company totalling 20 million baht, while party-list MP from People Power Party, Jatuporn Promphan and a Party executive of the former Thai Rak Thai Party, Veera Musikapong hold 100,000 shares totalling ten million baht each.

All were members of the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship.

Ruangkrai wondered about the source of income the three used for the share procurement valued at 30 million baht.

He added that Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut sold 100,000 of shares worth ten million baht to former Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair on June 4th, 2007.

However, in accordance with the asset declaration to the National Counter Corruption Commission, it has been discovered that Jakrapob has assets totaling nine million baht.

Ruangkrai is also suspicious about the share transfers of all the company's equity holders to other individuals during the general election period between October 31st of 2007 and January 15th of 2008.

- Thailand Outlook / 2008-08-15

Is the dear Senator, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana still worrying about where the money came from some 3 plus years later and can he sleep soundly at night now? He is actually a former senator now but a google of his name is quite interesting. Seems like he likes to get on everybodies backs - his latest mission is to get the House of Representatives to allow Democrat MP Khanchit Thapsuwan (he who has been charged with premeditated murder) to meet with police for questioning and identification by witnesses.

Regarding Natthawut Saikuas lost 4 million of assets, there used (may still) to be a caveat on bank adverts in the UK along the line of:

Warning - the values of shares can fall as well as rise.................

[Buchholz]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

Well - it hardly makes him a good finance minister does it?

Billions in his hands and he's gone this far in life without acquiring a single asset or as much as US$13k ???

I wouldn't let him handle my assets...

compared to the average income here in thailand that one seems to be the only non corrupt,

Not necessarily... Depending how he structures his portfolio, the 382K baht reflects the difference between assets and liabilities. These declarations are all net worth, not just assets.

Sorry for not earlier clarifying that misnomer in these declarations.

If he's run up a mountain of debt, it would account for his low asset declarations.

.

Edited March 16, 2012 by Buchholz

[Card]

Well, if I wanted to trust one of these guys I might tend towards the guy at the bottom of the list:

Deputy Finance Minister Tanongsak Lekuthai reported assets worth only 382,000 baht, a savings deposit with no other assets.

But then there's good old Nutter with 16 BIG ONES.

I would do the opposite - trust the guy who admits to having loads of dosh - because the poor guys at the bottom of the list are liars for sure.

[Card]

These are only the assets declared by politicians. Who believes what Thai politicians declare, especially when they are probably immune to prosecution if they lie? This is just a sop to the masses. It means nothing.

[FangFerang]

Reporting assets is like any US politician reporting campaign contributions--proxies, companies under a corporate flag, foundations...its all the same. I would guess those reporting the most are the least corrupt simply because they have so much that it cant be hidden.

So, each has an elephant and a few own herds.

[Buchholz]

These are only the assets declared by politicians. Who believes what Thai politicians declare, especially when they are probably immune to prosecution if they lie? This is just a sop to the masses. It means nothing.

While I agree they are more than suspect in their truthfulness, I disagree they mean nothing. There's quite a few politicos that have gotten into hot water because of it.

Such as...

Chinnicha Wongsawat, a Pheu Thai Party election candidate, told the Supreme Court yesterday that she did not intend to make a false declaration of her assets while serving as Chiang Mai MP in the previous House of Representatives, as alleged by the anti-graft agency.

Chinnicha appeared at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders along with her father, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat. Chinnicha's father Somchai is married to Thaksin's sister Yaowapa.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holderon Monday convicted former House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat on charges of submitting a false asset declaration.

The National Counter Corruption Commission had accused Yongyuth, who was also former Natural Resources and Environment Minister during the Thaksin regime, of submitting a false asset declaration after leaving his ministerial post.

The court sentenced Yongyuth to two months in prison but suspended the jail term for a year as he had never been convicted on criminal charges. He was also ordered to pay Bt4,000 fine and banned from holding any political positions for five years.

The court on Friday ruled against former Deputy Interior Minister Sombat Uthaisang for concealing his wife's assets of Bt106 million. Although the court suspended the jail term for a year, Sombat was also banned from holding any political position for five years.

Edited March 16, 2012 by Buchholz