Anti-Corruption Commission Readies Case Against Plodprasob Over Tigers

[webfact]

Anti-corruption commission readies case against Plodprasob over tigers

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meet with the Office of the Attorney-General today to arrange for proceedings to begin against Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi over his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.

Plodprasob, who headed the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) at the time, said yesterday he was currently immune to legal prosecution because he was an MP carrying out his duty during the ongoing parliamentary session.

The Constitution provides legal immunity to legislators while the Parliament is in session.

The current session will end in December.

"I am not worried at all," Plodprasob said. He was ready to fight this case to the end if the anti-graft agency pushed for prosecution against him.

"The allegation against me is untrue," Plodprasob said.

NACC secretary-general Apinan Israngura Na Ayuthaya yesterday said he would send officials to meet with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) today to discuss when Plodprasob should turn himself in for prosecution.

The NACC has ruled that Plodprasob abused his authority in approving the export of the tigers.

Recently, Saman Donnapee, who is now director of the RFD's Forest Land Management Bureau, asked the OAG to report on progress in the case.

In response, the OAG announced that public prosecutors had already issued an opinion that Plodprasob should be prosecuted and had informed the NACC it must bring Plodprasob before the OAG for prosecution.

"We have already drafted the prosecution documents. We can start the prosecution as soon as the NACC hands over the suspect," OAG spokesman Winai Damrongmongkolkul said.

Plodprasob yesterday complained that Saman should not have pushed for the case against him because it was not under Saman's jurisdiction.

"This case is under the jurisdiction of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department," Plodprasob said.

According to the science minister, the 100 exported tigers have given birth to more than 200 tiger cubs. They are now at Chinese zoos. Of the original 100 tigers exported from Thailand, 20 have died.

-- The Nation 2012-08-14

[chooka]

Who is monitoring the anti-corruption committee for corruption or they the only clean skins in the country?

Edited August 13, 2012 by chooka

[Reasonableman]

One constitutional amendment that really is needed... Immunity of MPs from criminal prosecution. A sad and sorry farce that mocks equality of all before the law.

Edited August 13, 2012 by Reasonableman

[noahvail]

One constitutional amendment that really is needed... Immunity of MPs from criminal prosecution. A sad and sorry farce that mocks equality of all before the law.

+1

[Ricardo]

A decade ago, Thailand could afford to export 100 tigers to China, and now the government needs projects to boost the number of new tigers being born here (in a recent thread), obviously two totally-unconnected stories ?

Amazing Thailand ... tiger economy !

[OzMick]

If the highest number of government MPs waiting for criminal charges to be heard was an Olympic event............nah, have to stay a national sport.

[OzMick]

Who is monitoring the anti-corruption committee for corruption or they the only clean skins in the country?

Do you have any proof of impropriety? Suggestions, hints, rumours even?

[asiawatcher]

One constitutional amendment that really is needed... Immunity of MPs from criminal prosecution. A sad and sorry farce that mocks equality of all before the law.

Absolutely - and you would think the NACC had better things to follow (and more important like arm chair and Tuk Tuk mafia in Phuket) than an immune MP over a 'questionable' decision.

[thaicbr]

Anti-corruption commission readies case against Plodprasob over tigers

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meet with the Office of the Attorney-General today to arrange for proceedings to begin against Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi over his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.

Plodprasob, who headed the Royal Forestry Department (RFD) at the time, said yesterday he was currently immune to legal prosecution because he was an MP carrying out his duty during the ongoing parliamentary session.

The Constitution provides legal immunity to legislators while the Parliament is in session.

The current session will end in December.

"I am not worried at all," Plodprasob said. He was ready to fight this case to the end if the anti-graft agency pushed for prosecution against him.

"The allegation against me is untrue," Plodprasob said.

NACC secretary-general Apinan Israngura Na Ayuthaya yesterday said he would send officials to meet with the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) today to discuss when Plodprasob should turn himself in for prosecution.

The NACC has ruled that Plodprasob abused his authority in approving the export of the tigers.

Recently, Saman Donnapee, who is now director of the RFD's Forest Land Management Bureau, asked the OAG to report on progress in the case.

In response, the OAG announced that public prosecutors had already issued an opinion that Plodprasob should be prosecuted and had informed the NACC it must bring Plodprasob before the OAG for prosecution.

"We have already drafted the prosecution documents. We can start the prosecution as soon as the NACC hands over the suspect," OAG spokesman Winai Damrongmongkolkul said.

Plodprasob yesterday complained that Saman should not have pushed for the case against him because it was not under Saman's jurisdiction.

"This case is under the jurisdiction of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department," Plodprasob said.

According to the science minister, the 100 exported tigers have given birth to more than 200 tiger cubs. They are now at Chinese zoos. Of the original 100 tigers exported from Thailand, 20 have died.

-- The Nation 2012-08-14

So .... the 100 exported tigers have managed to birth 200 cubs in 9 years. Wow

Oh no wait. Make that 80 remaining exported tigers.

And yet here in Thailand they are lucky to get about 20 cubs born in the same time frame ......

sent from my Wellcom A90+

[jerrysteve]

Anti-Corruption Commission is this some kind of joke

Kind of like the POT calling the KETTLE black!

Mps being immune from criminal prosecution! Balderdash!! what kind of non-sense it that!!

Throw this guy in Prison.

[AleG]

Lest we forget, this is the muppet that wanted to have an exotic animal buffet at the Chiang Mai zoo.

[phiphidon]

Lest we forget, this is the muppet that wanted to have an exotic animal buffet at the Chiang Mai zoo.

Oh don't worry we'll be unlikely to be able to forget - Buchholz will be along soon with a headline from 2006 or whenever claiming a tenuous link with this thread.............

[Reasonableman]

Lest we forget, this is the muppet that wanted to have an exotic animal buffet at the Chiang Mai zoo.

Oh don't worry we'll be unlikely to be able to forget - Buchholz will be along soon with a headline from 2006 or whenever claiming a tenuous link with this thread.............

So the Chiang Mai story is untrue and unrelated?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/50982-chiang-mai-safari-rare-animals-on-the-menu-at-zoo/

Edited August 14, 2012 by Reasonableman

[OzMick]

I was wondering who got the restaurant rights to the dead tigers. Given the parties involved, it would have to be a valuable consideration in the deal.

[Pseudolus]

I would imagine that all the facts and figures about where the tigers went and how many are still alive are about as reliable as anything else coming from the a Thai Government. The reality is that Thailands Tigers are being culled (not poached because that would imply that the Authorities were not involved in this, and by authorities I mean anyone in government and public service such as police) due to the demand from Chinese men wanting to eat the animals penis.

So, 100 tigers get sent to China. Mail order penis enhancement basically.

[SuneeTH]

They are selling tiger penis soup in that place, that is what I heard.

Edited August 14, 2012 by SuneeTH

[drdoom6996]

One constitutional amendment that really is needed... Immunity of MPs from criminal prosecution. A sad and sorry farce that mocks equality of all before the law.

+1

+2

[Skywalker69]

his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.

Check his bank account for 2003.

[Buchholz]

Lest we forget, this is the muppet that wanted to have an exotic animal buffet at the Chiang Mai zoo.

He's also the rocket scientist who wanted to effect change with boat propellers:

1,000 Boats To Push Flood Waters From Chao Phraya River

[Buchholz]

his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.

Check his bank account for 2003.

He's certainly not doing too shabby in 2012.

Plodprasop is richest minister

asset statements filed by Cabinet members

The richest, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, has Bt963 million

[SuneeTH]

his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.

Check his bank account for 2003.

He's certainly not doing too shabby in 2012.

Plodprasop is richest minister

asset statements filed by Cabinet members

The richest, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, has Bt963 million

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4729630

With so much money, he can afford to eat as many Tiger penis as he like.

[Skywalker69]

his controversial approval of the export of 100 tigers to China in 2003.

Check his bank account for 2003.

He's certainly not doing too shabby in 2012.

Plodprasop is richest minister

asset statements filed by Cabinet members

The richest, Science Minister Plodprasop Suraswadi, has Bt963 million

http://www.thaivisa....ost__p__4729630

I feel sick........again.

[Buchholz]

I would imagine that all the facts and figures about where the tigers went and how many are still alive are about as reliable as anything else coming from the a Thai Government. The reality is that Thailands Tigers are being culled (not poached because that would imply that the Authorities were not involved in this, and by authorities I mean anyone in government and public service such as police) due to the demand from Chinese men wanting to eat the animals penis.

So, 100 tigers get sent to China. Mail order penis enhancement basically.

They weren't Thai tigers.

Additional information on where the tigers came from (an in-breeding, DNA-destroying program at a tiger farming operation) and where they went....

450 Tigers Seized From Private Thai Zoo

Ex-Forestry Chief Plodprasop is found guilty of approving deal

2007-08-10

The Nation

Former Director-General of the Royal Forestry Department Plodprasop Suraswadi has been found guilty of involvement in the export of 100 Bengal tigers - a protected species - to China, Klanarong Chantik, spokesman for the National Counter Corruption Commission, said yesterday.

The NCCC yesterday discussed the scandal, which took place in 2002, and found that Plodprasop's approval to export the tigers was a serious disciplinary violation and also a criminal offence.

Klanarong said the conclusion was reached after the NCCC interviewed 18 witnesses and studied documents related to the issue.

He said the NCCC would send its resolution to Plodprasop's supervisor for disciplinary punishment and to the Office of the Attorney-General to process for criminal action.

A source in the NCCC said the members spent more than five hours discussing the matter. One point of concern was the relationship between Thailand and China. The NCCC was also concerned about the possibility that Plodprasop might file a legal suit against it, said the source, who asked not to be named.

Plodprasop was not available for comment yesterday.

In 2002, Plodprasop, as Director-General of the RFD, allowed Sri Racha Tiger Zoo to export 100 Bengal tigers to a zoo on the island of Hainan.

As the tiger is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, exports can only be carried out between governments and only for research and education.

Klanarong said the NCCC considered the export authorised by Plodprasop was meant to benefit zoo operators.

.

Edited August 14, 2012 by Buchholz

[Nickymaster]

Lest we forget, this is the muppet that wanted to have an exotic animal buffet at the Chiang Mai zoo.

Oh don't worry we'll be unlikely to be able to forget - Buchholz will be along soon with a headline from 2006 or whenever claiming a tenuous link with this thread.............

Be happy that guys like Buchholz put criminals like this in the spot light. Or should we sweep these cases under the carpet?

[Nickymaster]

I would imagine that all the facts and figures about where the tigers went and how many are still alive are about as reliable as anything else coming from the a Thai Government. The reality is that Thailands Tigers are being culled (not poached because that would imply that the Authorities were not involved in this, and by authorities I mean anyone in government and public service such as police) due to the demand from Chinese men wanting to eat the animals penis.

So, 100 tigers get sent to China. Mail order penis enhancement basically.

They weren't Thai tigers.

Additional information on where the tigers came from (an in-breeding, DNA-destroying program at a tiger farming operation) and where they went....

450 Tigers Seized From Private Thai Zoo

http://www.thaivisa....ivate-thai-zoo/

Ex-Forestry Chief Plodprasop is found guilty of approving deal

2007-08-10

The Nation

Former Director-General of the Royal Forestry Department Plodprasop Suraswadi has been found guilty of involvement in the export of 100 Bengal tigers - a protected species - to China, Klanarong Chantik, spokesman for the National Counter Corruption Commission, said yesterday.

The NCCC yesterday discussed the scandal, which took place in 2002, and found that Plodprasop's approval to export the tigers was a serious disciplinary violation and also a criminal offence.

Klanarong said the conclusion was reached after the NCCC interviewed 18 witnesses and studied documents related to the issue.

He said the NCCC would send its resolution to Plodprasop's supervisor for disciplinary punishment and to the Office of the Attorney-General to process for criminal action.

A source in the NCCC said the members spent more than five hours discussing the matter. One point of concern was the relationship between Thailand and China. The NCCC was also concerned about the possibility that Plodprasop might file a legal suit against it, said the source, who asked not to be named.

Plodprasop was not available for comment yesterday.

In 2002, Plodprasop, as Director-General of the RFD, allowed Sri Racha Tiger Zoo to export 100 Bengal tigers to a zoo on the island of Hainan.

As the tiger is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, exports can only be carried out between governments and only for research and education.

Klanarong said the NCCC considered the export authorised by Plodprasop was meant to benefit zoo operators.

.

Nice 1 Bucholz. Keep the info coming!

[Buchholz]

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meet with the Office of the Attorney-General today to arrange for proceedings to begin against Science Minister Plodprasob Surassawadi

Shame it took five years, almost to the day, to get to that point....

Ex-Forestry Chief Plodprasop is found guilty of approving deal

2007-08-10

the NCCC would send its resolution to Plodprasop's supervisor for disciplinary punishment and to the Office of the Attorney-General to process for criminal action.

but better late than never...

.

Edited August 14, 2012 by Buchholz

[alfalfa19]

One constitutional amendment that really is needed... Immunity of MPs from criminal prosecution. A sad and sorry farce that mocks equality of all before the law.

Absolutely - and you would think the NACC had better things to follow (and more important like arm chair and Tuk Tuk mafia in Phuket) than an immune MP over a 'questionable' decision.

I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but what is the arm chair mafia? Are the beach chair operators now joining the jetski and tuk tuk scumbags in their antics?

[khaowong1]

Who is monitoring the anti-corruption committee for corruption or they the only clean skins in the country?

Or... who's watching the watchers....

[Jawnie]

If he was already convicted once in connection with this affair, why the hell does he still have a job with the government for chrissakes???!!!

[Buchholz]

If he was already convicted once in connection with this affair, why the hell does he still have a job with the government for chrissakes???!!!

we can assume that the richest Cabinet Minister can be described as one of the "untouchables"

Untouchables: Asia's biggest wildlife traffickers

BANGKOK (August 15, 2012)- Squealing tiger cubs stuffed into carry-on bags. Luggage packed with hundreds of squirming tortoises, elephant tusks, even water dragons and American paddlefish. Officials at Thailand's gateway airport proudly tick off the illegally trafficked wildlife they have seized over the past two years.

But Thai and foreign law enforcement officers tell another story: Officials working-hand-in-hand with traffickers ensure that other shipments through Suvarnabhumi International Airport are whisked off before they even reach customs inspection.

It's a murky mix. A 10-fold increase in wildlife law enforcement actions, including seizures, has been reported in the past six years in Southeast Asia. Yet, the trade's Mr.Bigs, masterful in taking advantage of pervasive corruption, appear immune to arrest and continue to orchestrate the decimation of wildlife in Thailand, the region and beyond.

Continues:

http://www.huffingto...g-after-mr-big/

Edited August 15, 2012 by Buchholz