Banning media from spending probe 'irregular': Thai Democrat MP

[webfact]

Banning media from spending probe 'irregular'
Khanittha Thepphajorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- An order by senior Parliament officials to ban the media from listening in on the anti-graft committee's investigations into parliamentary spending appeared to be contrary to regular practices, Democrat MP Vilas Chanpitaksa, a member of the House's anti-corruption committee said yesterday during a meeting.

The committee, led by Pheu Thai MP Pol Lt-General Viroj Pao-in, yesterday summoned the House secretariat's director of Bureau of General Affairs Administration, Chanpen Anamvat, to clarify the House's spending, especially on payments for allowances to members of the ad hoc panels.

Viroj said he found that many committees had been set up which were not relevant to House affairs, including committees on rambutans and longans. Meanwhile, many committees had been dissolved in the last few days without any explanation.

Viroj then called on Chanpen to submit records on the appointment of members to the committees and subcommittees. However, Chanpen said she would need permission from House secretary-general Suwichag Nakwatcharachai before handing the records over to the House committee.

Vilas said he had requested documents and reports of House spending from Suwichag on a number of occasions, but had so far received no response. Suwichag earlier called him on the phone and promised to provide such documents. If Suwichag did not turn up for the committee's investigations next week, he would take action in accordance with the law.

Vilas said House staff had received a verbal order to prevent the media from covering the committee's investigations, claiming that no conclusion had been drawn. However, he said the committee was obliged to allow the media to report on proceedings for the sake of transparency. The House had the right to sue the media if it believed that coverage was falsely reported, he added.

Reporting to the anti-graft committee, Chanpen said there were currently 68 active committees, including 46 appointed by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont and 22 appointed by Suwichag. She said payment of committee allowances was in accordance with regulations.


-- The Nation 2013-08-30

[Chao Lao Beach]

I wonder what they are trying to hide....cough cough

[Robby nz]

Chanpen said there were currently 68 active committees, including 46 appointed by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont and 22 appointed by Suwichag. She said payment of committee allowances was in accordance with regulations.

68 committees all with their hands in the till, lots of jobs for the boys plus traveling expenses (first class), food and accommodation (5 star).

Wonder if they even have to turn up at meetings or just submit an expense account?

[arthurboy]

Well, what a surprise! Unofficial committees = budget, 'field trips', expenses = happy mp's and official hangers on.

As for banning the media; is anyone surprised?

And so the amoral and corrupt continue to screw the country.

Business, as usual.

Next...

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[NongKhaiKid]

Apart from the total control aspect and no doubt having a lot to hide what's the government worried about ?

They should know by now that no matter how tasty a subject is the Thai media aren't noted for shaking it, in depth reporting or follow up investigations.

I do believe PTP are so touchy that even the mildest criticism stings and has to be dealt with, again it's a matter of national security.

[Mampara]

They obviously have no intention of being transparent. Or is it out of sheer embarrassment of wasting the public's money?

[LuckyLew]

"The committee, led by Pheu Thai MP .................."

Enough said and we already know what the result of this committee will be

[Thait Spot]

Opacity is the name of this game

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[johnnie20110]

The Rambutan Committee.

Good grief.

The PTP doesn't even bother to conceal their in-your-face corruption.

[TackyToo]

...led by Pheu Thai MP Pol Lt-General Viroj Pao-in.

Holding a post as an MP and at the same time thus of a Police General. Hm. Isn't there a little conflict of interest involved?

An order by senior Parliament officials to ban the media from listening in on...

That's exactly what makes LOS different from a democratic country.

[Nickymaster]

All in line with sucking this country empty. Not surprised.

[GeorgeO]

"Meanwhile, many committees had been dissolved in the last few days without any explanation".

I would be very interested to see the basis of the formation and the workings of these mysteriously dissolved committees....!

[notmyself]

The PTP doesn't even bother to conceal their in-your-face corruption.

In the US, Romney in 2012 tried the same tactic and lost, but not by much. Just simply lying can get you into power all over the Earth.

[rametindallas]

The PTP doesn't even bother to conceal their in-your-face corruption.

In the US, Romney in 2012 tried the same tactic and lost, but not by much. Just simply lying can get you into power all over the Earth.

Are you referring to Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, who initiated state-wide healthcare for all citizens and is single-handedly responsible for saving the totally corrupt Salt Lake City Olympics? You can stop kissing Obama's ass now as he has already won a second term after doing nothing to help the US economy or get people back to work. BTW you are completely off topic as well as lying about an honorable man.

[notmyself]

The PTP doesn't even bother to conceal their in-your-face corruption.

In the US, Romney in 2012 tried the same tactic and lost, but not by much. Just simply lying can get you into power all over the Earth.

Are you referring to Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, who initiated state-wide healthcare for all citizens and is single-handedly responsible for saving the totally corrupt Salt Lake City Olympics? You can stop kissing Obama's ass now as he has already won a second term after doing nothing to help the US economy or get people back to work. BTW you are completely off topic as well as lying about an honorable man.

Great bit of satire though not sure it's allowed under TV's T&Cs within the TV news section.

[BuddyPinkham]

The PTP doesn't even bother to conceal their in-your-face corruption.

In the US, Romney in 2012 tried the same tactic and lost, but not by much. Just simply lying can get you into power all over the Earth.

Are you referring to Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, who initiated state-wide healthcare for all citizens and is single-handedly responsible for saving the totally corrupt Salt Lake City Olympics? You can stop kissing Obama's ass now as he has already won a second term after doing nothing to help the US economy or get people back to work. BTW you are completely off topic as well as lying about an honorable man.

Yes it is off-topic but me thinks you referring to R as an honorable man is definitely off the rocker!

[animatic]

I wonder what they are trying to hide....cough cough

Shorter list:

I wonder what they are NOT trying to hide.

[Emdog]

Jeez guys, forget about US politics. Find some other place to sling the bull. As for here, what with slander and libel even if the truth, seems media will blind itself and don't need ban. "Don't do in the dark what you don't want to come out in the light". But most folks in this fine country don't care and it is a given that politicians will rob, steal, pillage. That is why they get into politics.

[indyuk]

Committees in government (Quangos) are a disease that infect many governments around the world, I doubt that Peu Thai or the Dems are any different. The real issue is for any government to be ever watchful and to nuke any Quangos that start to look unnecessary or exploitative.

[dickyknee]

Committees in government (Quangos) are a disease that infect many governments around the world, I doubt that Peu Thai or the Dems are any different. The real issue is for any government to be ever watchful and to nuke any Quangos that start to look unnecessary or exploitative.

and the media?

[Baerboxer]

Well, what a surprise! Unofficial committees = budget, 'field trips', expenses = happy mp's and official hangers on.

As for banning the media; is anyone surprised?

And so the amoral and corrupt continue to screw the country.

Business, as usual.

Next...

Sent from my GT-I9070 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Please Arthur, don't forget the PM/DM has already launched her campaign against corruption. I'm sure this committee cleverly headed by a senior policeman with years of investigative experience will ruthlessly root out those responsible and ensure justice is seen to be done.

[Chao Lao Beach]

The Rambutan Committee.

Sounds like a song form the Village People