Controversial Alpine Golf Course Land Deeds Critic Transferred

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CONTROVERSIAL GOLF COURSE

Alpine land deeds critic transferred

WATTANA KHAMCHOO

THE NATION

Snoh

BANGKOK: -- The Land Department director general who had suggested that the Interior Ministry revoke the land deeds granted illegally to the Alpine golf course and a housing estate in Pathum Thani has been moved to an inactive position.

Anuwat Methiwiboonwut, the department's chief, will be made deputy permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry in a reshuffle proposed by Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, which was endorsed by the Cabinet yesterday.

During the previous government's tenure, Anuwat urged then-interior minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul to revoke the land deeds granted to Alpine after the Council of State concluded that the plots in question were monastic land and hence could not be bought or sold. The Council of State is the government's legal advisory agency.

Though Chaovarat took no action at the time, Anuwat's recommendation reportedly upset many figures in the Pheu Thai Party, which led the Opposition at the time.

The Alpine scandal is linked to certain figures connected to the now-ruling Pheu Thai Party, namely Yongyuth, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and former interior minister Snoh Thienthong

Snoh once owned the plots that had initially been donated to a Buddhist temple and later turned into a golf course and housing estate. Thaksin obtained the land from Snoh later.

Yongyuth, while serving as caretaker permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry, had agreed to a ruling that the Alpine land plots were not monastic land, which went against a ruling from the Land Department, which is an agency under the Interior Ministry.

The Alpine case is currently being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Yongyuth is one of the politicians under scrutiny.

Lampang Governor Booncherd Kidhen has replaced Anuwat, who is set to retire at the end of September.

Booncherd is close to Yongyuth and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, another key figure in the ruling party.

The governor joined the Land Department as a junior lawyer and rose in the ranks to become deputy director-general before becoming governor of Lampang province in the North less than a year ago.

The other senior Interior Ministry officials involved in the reshuffle include Rayong Governor Thawatchai Therdphaothai, who will take over in Lampang; and Trang Governor Seni Jittakasem, who will replace Thawatchai as Rayong governor.

Seni is being replaced by Surat Thani Governor Thirayuth Iamtrakul, whose job will be taken over by Interior inspector-general Cherdsak Choosri.

Cherdsak's job in the ministry will be filled by Roi Et Governor Somsak Khamthaweephrom, who will be replaced by Interior inspector-general Wanchart Wongchaichana.

-- The Nation 2012-04-18

[Buchholz]

in a reshuffle proposed by Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit

Interesting actions by someone knee-deep in the original scam.

The Alpine case is currently being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Yongyuth is one of the politicians under scrutiny.

the Thaksin-esque conflict of interest permeates the current government

.

Edited April 17, 2012 by Buchholz

[marquess]

Shame again on the powers that be for endorsing corruption, seems to be the standard practise, all they are doing is holding their country back in the long term.

[LuckyLew]

Shame again on the powers that be for endorsing corruption, seems to be the standard practise, all they are doing is holding their country back in the long term.

Of course they are holding the country back

IMO the people in power do not run for power to help the people

they all want power positions to serve their dear leader and to serve

themselves.

There is a reason the education system is consider sub standard,

if they educate the masses properly, they will soon realize they have

been hood-winked for such a long time.

Just my opinion

[siampolee]

The Thaksin family and their brown nosed acolytes are up to their ankles in the mire with this matter.

The amusing part is the fact is they are actually standing on their heads.

P.T.P. acts whilst Thaksin corrupts

[h90]

Shame again on the powers that be for endorsing corruption, seems to be the standard practise, all they are doing is holding their country back in the long term.

Come on.....at the next election they give everyone 500 Baht and everything will be all right....

[jaidam]

Rather than the continuous "denegration and besmirtching" of Thaksin by an "agenized" press...etc etc. extended BS

Must admit im missing Ferwert/Calgarys surrealist posts.

But seriously, does this topic not underline a huge double standard? Post coup MP Surayud had to bulldoze his house after it was found to have been built on national park land 20 years ago? Thaksin essentially steals land donated to a temple by and old lady, builds a golf course and housing develpoment, and its ok.

Now who was it, that was so against these double standards?

[h90]

Rather than the continuous "denegration and besmirtching" of Thaksin by an "agenized" press...etc etc. extended BS

Must admit im missing Ferwert/Calgarys surrealist posts.

But seriously, does this topic not underline a huge double standard? Post coup MP Surayud had to bulldoze his house after it was found to have been built on national park land 20 years ago? Thaksin essentially steals land donated to a temple by and old lady, builds a golf course and housing develpoment, and its ok.

Now who was it, that was so against these double standards?

Calgary might be on the way back from Cambodia....

But I am sure he can explain us how that is just a plan from the coupist newspaper and military appointed former PM Abhisit to discredit Thaksin.

[AleG]

Thick as thieves comes to mind.

Thaksin's parties have always been little more than a criminal conspiracy.

[moe666]

The lady where we eat has a friend who lves in Sankampeng outside CM and a lot of land has been bought up there by a certain family now in power for a new airport. When you hear the news about a new airport in CM remember you heard it first here.

[moe666]

Thick as thieves comes to mind.

Thaksin's parties have always been little more than a criminal conspiracy.

Whole heartly supported by a few here. Interesting they haven't jump on the band wagon to defend the move. Edited April 18, 2012 by moe666

[TackyToo]

Slowly slowly I become angry- very angry! Every Tom, Dick and Harry gets an inactive post in LOS while I still have to work for the money! I could easily handle three or four of them!

[DoctorG]

Just another corruption story in Thailand. Both political parties are equally corrupt, and endemic throughout certain parts of the world. Just one of the reasons that I no longer live in Thailand.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

Just another corruption story in Thailand. Both political parties are equally corrupt, and endemic throughout certain parts of the world. Just one of the reasons that I no longer live in Thailand.

I agree, totally par for the course no matter who's in power.

But in my case it's one of the main reasons I love it here, the PTB don't even have to outsource its production of circuses to entertain the masses.

If the place were run like Singapore wouldn't be much fun would it. . .

[pimay11]

Just another case of the foxes guarding the hen house.

[lungmi]

The lady where we eat has a friend who lves in Sankampeng outside CM and a lot of land has been bought up there by a certain family now in power for a new airport. When you hear the news about a new airport in CM remember you heard it first here.

Red Shirts Airport for Takkitakki airlines?

[jpinx]

Thick as thieves comes to mind.

Thaksin's parties have always been little more than a criminal conspiracy.

Just "thick" - if they believe people do not see what's going on.....

[Tanaka]

The Mob is ruling Thailand. And many Thais think it is good. Something is seriously wrong.

[GentlemanJim]

Geriatrickid

Where are you when we need someone to justify the latest scam revealed concerning your idol (s). When you have explained why there is nothing wrong with this story, can you also comment on the land near CM that has been procured by your favourite family, who will no doubt soon benefit from a 1000% increase in the same land prices when the Government announce a new airport for CM? We need your side of the argument to add balance as everyone else on here thinks they (you know who) are all a thieving bunch of Gypsy bar stewards. Maybe everyone else is wrong, we wait for your input in eager anticipation. Pity Calgary is not here to lead the charge of the morally bereft ones.

[tukkytuktuk]

The mob being the elite. Did you know 99% of people in Thailand are poor and 1 % are rich. Fair distribution of wealth is not happening any time soon. The so called mafia in Thailand, are not like the mafia in the U.S during the 1970s, they only run loan sharks, rackateering, small casinos and a few taxi ranks. Hardly your John Goti is it? Grow up and stop looking at the world through rose tinted glasses.

[Unkomoncents]

Soooooooo corrupt. It's a good thing Thailand is looking at greater partnerships with unquestioning parties like the Chinese Government (over the next couple of decades) because for the rest of us, it's often impossible to take anything a Thai person says at face value and it's increasingly difficult to understand or respect ANYTHING they seem to be doing in this country. You'd be insane to start a small-to-medium-sized business in this country. If you observe the local definition of good-will and honesty, you'll notice that it doesn't exist almost immediately. It's no wonder Thais often seem in such a state of confusion, even amongst each other (about purpose, direction...just watch people walk in Tesco): if you lie CONSTANTLY ABOUT EVERYTHING, it not only causes people to stop believing you but it calls the whole concept of "truth" into question. Without truth, you lose any concept of morality (however localized) and you basically get the reality of the state/society/collective intellect of Thailand. Even stepping outside everyday nearly renders the effect of being lobotomized.

[GentlemanJim]

The mob being the elite. Did you know 99% of people in Thailand are poor and 1 % are rich. Fair distribution of wealth is not happening any time soon. The so called mafia in Thailand, are not like the mafia in the U.S during the 1970s, they only run loan sharks, rackateering, small casinos and a few taxi ranks. Hardly your John Goti is it? Grow up and stop looking at the world through rose tinted glasses.

Aaaah great argument. So you are going to justify this or rather accept it as a norm by telling me to grow up and essentially accept that this is how things are done. Well that makes it all legal and ok then. thanks for the clarity.

[theanimaster]

Shame again on the powers that be for endorsing corruption, seems to be the standard practise, all they are doing is holding their country back in the long term.

Of course they are holding the country back

IMO the people in power do not run for power to help the people

they all want power positions to serve their dear leader and to serve

themselves.

There is a reason the education system is consider sub standard,

if they educate the masses properly, they will soon realize they have

been hood-winked for such a long time.

Just my opinion

Hey... that's MY theory~!! : )

[theanimaster]

The mob being the elite. Did you know 99% of people in Thailand are poor and 1 % are rich. Fair distribution of wealth is not happening any time soon. The so called mafia in Thailand, are not like the mafia in the U.S during the 1970s, they only run loan sharks, rackateering, small casinos and a few taxi ranks. Hardly your John Goti is it? Grow up and stop looking at the world through rose tinted glasses.

Statistics like that will only make Calgaryll happy.

[tukkytuktuk]

Whose Calgaryll?

[h90]

The mob being the elite. Did you know 99% of people in Thailand are poor and 1 % are rich. Fair distribution of wealth is not happening any time soon. The so called mafia in Thailand, are not like the mafia in the U.S during the 1970s, they only run loan sharks, rackateering, small casinos and a few taxi ranks. Hardly your John Goti is it? Grow up and stop looking at the world through rose tinted glasses.

Statistics like that will only make Calgaryll happy.

But his hero is in this 1 %.....