Thai anti-graft body denies meddling in politics

[webfact]

NACC
Anti-graft body denies meddling in politics

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on Tuesday dismissed allegations that it collaborated with independent agencies in an attempt to appoint an interim prime minister to replace caretaker premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

Sansern Poljiak, NACC secretary general, said the agency has acted independently and straightforwardly without leaning in the direction of any organisation, and its investigations into all cases are based on evidence and witnesses.

Critics from certain quarters have charged the NACC with taking sides with independent agencies trying to replace Yingluck with a neutral prime minister following its decision to indict Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij for unlawfully performing his duties during a parliamentary debate on a charter amendment concerning the composition of the Senate.

Nikom was charged with exercising his power in breach of the authority given to him by the Constitution and cutting short a debate despite having an agenda listing several legislators who were waiting to take the floor.|

Sansern called on the public to avoid politicising its performance and trying to discredit the NACC. An allegation against caretaker PM Yingluck’s handling of the rice pledging scheme is currently being investigated by the NACC.


-- The Nation 2014-03-25

[Scamper]

The NACC is completely right to point out the absurd lengths that Pheu Thai and the UDD have gone to discredit them. Pheu Thai's pattern of undermining the authority of judicial bodies when things do not go their way is one of the more unpleasant aspects of the party, and show a clear lack of tolerance for the rule of law.

[webfact]

Graft buster dismisses conspiracy to propose new premier

BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) today categorically dismissed accusations that that it has collaborated with other independent organizations in an attempt to appoint an interim prime minister to replace caretaker premier Yingluck Shinawatra.

NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak said the NACC has performed independently and straightforwardly without inclining to any side or organization.

He also affirmed that NACC’s investigations into all cases are based on evidence and witnesses.

He called on the public to avoid politicizing its performance and trying to discredit the NACC.

The NACC is to impose malfeasance and alleged corruption charges against caretaker PM Yingluck’s handling of the rice pledging scheme. She was summoned to appear at the NACC head-office end of the month to defend the charges.

Several critics accused the NACC of taking sides with independent organization trying to remove Ms Yingluck and replace her with a neutral prime minister.

The strong criticism came after the NACC decided to indict Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanich for unlawfully performing his duties during a parliamentary debate on a charter amendment regarding the composition of the Senate.

Mr Nikom was charged with exercising his power in breach of the authority given to him by the Constitution in cutting short a debate despite having an agenda listing several legislators who were waiting to take the floor.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/graft-buster-dismisses-conspiracy-propose-new-premier/

-- Thai PBS 2014-03-25

[fab4]

Methinks they doth protest too much.

[Tatsujin]

Methinks they doth protest too much.

Methinks it's actually PT/Thaksin/UDD that protests too much . . . if you want to see one body that is firmly in the pockets of PT/Thaksin, it's the "Police" and the "Border Police".

[xminator]

It took this agency 3 years to forward the impeachment charge on Suthep. Case started in 2009. Part of the reasoning was that he was too busy governing the country. Neutral? In the stories of Bluesky sure.

[djjamie]

"the agency has acted independently and straightforwardly without leaning in the direction of any organisation, and its investigations into all cases are based on evidence and witnesses"

Of course it is based on evidence and facts. That is why the PTP despise the NACC so much. The PTP don't have a leg to stand on when they are rendered a guilty verdict simply because the verdict is based on the rule of law derived from facts and witnesses. PTP hate facts. They prefer belief structures which is reflected in their terrorist school teachings in the north under the guise of democracy (re)education.

Fortunately the voter base are starting to wise up and release that even with a 40% above market value on rice, the rule of law is paramount to democracy. It is hard to drum the respect for the law out of honest hard working farmers no matter how evil the terrorist wing is that is preaching it and when confronted with "recruiters" in the north at present trying to garner the largest uneducated, unemployed street gang of disenfranchised youth in history then they have just cause to see first hand why the rule of law should be respected. The voter base are turning and the fear they face when staring directly into the proverbial blood soaked future the PTP will unleash if it cannot continue it's dictatorial tendencies scares the bejesus (or in this case the bebuddha) out of the majority.

​The Counstitutional Court are the last bastion that divides Democracy from Anarchy.

God bless them.

Edited March 25, 2014 by djjamie

[rubl]

Methinks they doth protest too much.

Methinks it's actually PT/Thaksin/UDD that protests too much . . . if you want to see one body that is firmly in the pockets of PT/Thaksin, it's the "Police" and the "Border Police".

Methinks those grenade lobbers protest too much.

[h90]

The NACC is completely right to point out the absurd lengths that Pheu Thai and the UDD have gone to discredit them. Pheu Thai's pattern of undermining the authority of judicial bodies when things do not go their way is one of the more unpleasant aspects of the party, and show a clear lack of tolerance for the rule of law.

But wouldn't it be their duty to try to remove a corrupt politician?

[Fat Haggis]

Who was it that has pushed for expediting the case against Yingluck?

Was all the other cases involving corruption put on the back burner and they've been focusing more on the caretaker these past few months?

Doesn't mean Jack to me if she's thrown out tomorrow, as long as there's continuity in their methods and veracity in pursuit of the truth.

Don't doubt for one minute the rice scheme was a massive mistake and failure, I'm a firm believer in what goes around comes around , and that's directed at all the people with their hands in the till and have participated in corruption.

[Fat Haggis]

I'm sure that there was an article the other day about the NACC asking for the courts advice/opinion over another investigation completely out of their lane, perhaps it was the murder charges against Abhisit.. not sure.

Why would they need to know anything other than the reason they're dealings are supposed to be corruption and graft only??

Even Stevie Wonder can see she'd already been found guilty even before the investigation is complete, and then charged accordingly, it's a bit wierd, I always thought that you were innocent until proven guilty, but obviously this is Thailand, and it doesn't really matter about the evidence, you're guilty because the TVF members say you are

I'm going to call upon some of you fine fellows if I'm ever in the Schiezen to represent me in the courts, as you're out standing in all aspects of Thai Law, you seem to know more about it that the Thai lawyers

Edited March 25, 2014 by Fat Haggis

[Baerboxer]

Just like you have no proof the NACC is bias.. but you keep posting it anyway..

Methinks those grenade lobbers protest too much.

Ah those old grenades rubl, they just keep popping up, or down. Now if only you just had one shred of evidence, but it's like the corruption "argument" isn't it.?

You don't need proof on this forum, just keep on plugging to rack up the "likes", and if anyone calls you up on it, it won't be long before the "cast of thousands" arrive with there facile "If it quacks like a duck" and the "police never find anybody in the PTP/UDD guilty" arguments.

They don't agree with his view, that PTP are totally innocent. They were elected you know, have the people's mandate to do as they please.

Anyone who challenges their law breaking must be a biased undemocratic fascist thug.

The facts, justice, law, morals, and ethics don't come into it.

[Fat Haggis]

It's not just my logic mate, you think that many criminals have never escaped justice when they're as guilty as sin in the eyes of the public, only to have them walk free?

Watch a documentary called "A very British Gangster" about Damian "Noonan" and his brother Dessie Noonan.. two of Manchester's most notorious gangsters, Dessie was stabbed to death during the making of the documentary.

These two in the eyes of the law and the public were as guilty as the hairs on the back of your hands, and they walked free, many times, which indeed made then "innocent" in the eyes of the Law, much to their disgust!!

[Thaiready]

Did you really expect them to admit to it.....Rather lie when the truth works better

[Dogmatix]

It took this agency 3 years to forward the impeachment charge on Suthep. Case started in 2009. Part of the reasoning was that he was too busy governing the country. Neutral? In the stories of Bluesky sure.

So now they are doing much better and you criticize them for that. Some people are never satisfied.

[Rimmer]

Off topic baiting posts and replies removed

[BlueNoseCodger]

The NACC claimed the G2G rice deal was fake

The NACC also ruled there was no evidence substantiating the government-to-government rice deals claimed by Yingluck's government and pressed charges against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, former deputy commerce minister Phum Saraphon and 13 alleged accomplices.

That deal went ahead:

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 – China will abide by its promise to buy one million tons of rice a year under the government-to-government (G2G) basis, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Thailand and China.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand has confirmed that the Chinese government is willing to buy 1 million tons of rice on a G-to-G basis from the Thai government in accordance with the MOU signed by both country during the Chinese leader’s visit to Thailand late last year.

Political games.

The NACC's only other substantial claim is that Yingluk knew it was overrunning its budget and failed to take action. The other claims of stolen money and smuggling and so on, just don't stand up to even the basic checks (link). See also "The anti-corruption agency has yet to find any evidence of corruption on the rice pledging scheme, according to Wicha Mahakhun, Spokesperson of the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC)" (link).

To be clear, the rice pledge scheme is 15000 baht a tonne for A grade fragrant, and the bulk retail price is 36000 baht a tonne. So these prices are about right.

The rice middle mens cut (at least the middle men on the supply side inside Thailand, the wholesale margin on the sale side is still in place), were replaced so their margin has been handed down to the rice farmers, Its reasonable for farmers to get 40% of the bulk retail price.

There are issues still, the rice auctions have been blocked by Issara, bond issues have been blocked by EC, Suthep has done a run on the banks to stop financing, and so on, but those problems are political in nature.

Edited March 26, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[rubl]

 

The NACC claimed the G2G rice deal was fake

The NACC also ruled there was no evidence substantiating the government-to-government rice deals claimed by Yingluck's government and pressed charges against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, former deputy commerce minister Phum Saraphon and 13 alleged accomplices.

That deal went ahead:

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 – China will abide by its promise to buy one million tons of rice a year under the government-to-government (G2G) basis, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Thailand and China.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand has confirmed that the Chinese government is willing to buy 1 million tons of rice on a G-to-G basis from the Thai government in accordance with the MOU signed by both country during the Chinese leader’s visit to Thailand late last year.

Political games.

The NACC's only other substantial claim is that Yingluk knew it was overrunning its budget and failed to take action. The other claims of stolen money and smuggling and so on, just don't stand up to even the basic checks (link). See also "The anti-corruption agency has yet to find any evidence of corruption on the rice pledging scheme, according to Wicha Mahakhun, Spokesperson of the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC)" (link).

To be clear, the rice pledge scheme is 15000 baht a tonne for A grade fragrant, and the bulk retail price is 36000 baht a tonne. So these prices are about right.

The rice middle mens cut (at least the middle men on the supply side inside Thailand, the wholesale margin on the sale side is still in place), were replaced so their margin has been handed down to the rice farmers, Its reasonable for farmers to get 40% of the bulk retail price.

There are issues still, the rice auctions have been blocked by Issara, bond issues have been blocked by EC, Suthep has done a run on the banks to stop financing, and so on, but those problems are political in nature.

 

If those prices are about right then why do we have a 700++ billion Baht loss? Just political of nature and not really lost, just misplaced ?

[BlueNoseCodger]

I'm sure that there was an article the other day about the NACC asking for the courts advice/opinion over another investigation completely out of their lane, perhaps it was the murder charges against Abhisit.. not sure.

Why would they need to know anything other than the reason they're dealings are supposed to be corruption and graft only??

Even Stevie Wonder can see she'd already been found guilty even before the investigation is complete, and then charged accordingly, it's a bit wierd, I always thought that you were innocent until proven guilty, but obviously this is Thailand, and it doesn't really matter about the evidence, you're guilty because the TVF members say you are

I'm going to call upon some of you fine fellows if I'm ever in the Schiezen to represent me in the courts, as you're out standing in all aspects of Thai Law, you seem to know more about it that the Thai lawyers

Finding her guilty is irrelevent.

The way it works is the NACC investigates a negligence claim, even as the claimed corruption charges evaporate. The Senate suspends her while they are investigating this, The Senate then appoints an interim PM, while she is suspended. i.e. a coup. She can be found innocent later, or the charges disappear, it makes no difference.

The elected part of the Senate is out for election now. The part created by the 2006 coup is the only part of the Senate in existence at the moment, and they've moved to remove their speaker, giving them a free hand to attempt this.

I don't think the rice probe is actually the main game here. To rig an election and put Abhisit into power, they need to ban all the Pheu Thai MPs and bar Pheu Thai as a party. They have a game already to try that.

The proposed change to the constitution to make the Senate elected again is the main game to do that:

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will meet today to consider the fate of the 312 members of the House and Senate who backed the draft legislation - since ruled by the Constitutional Court to be unconstitutional - to amend the charter in order to change the make-up of the Senate.

Vicha Mahakhun, an NACC commissioner, said yesterday the agency would open its first inquiry and launch an investigation process to find out whether these lawmakers had committed wrongful acts. Later, they will invite both complainants and defendants to testify.

He said the inquiry would take around one month, but he could not say whether the case would be finished before February 2, the day of the next election.

Commenting on the "People's Council" called for by anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, Vicha said that this could be done through an executive decree and the caretaker government could be allowed to proceed with such a move as a possible way out of the political impasse. He said such a council would be responsible for political reform, but could not act as an alternative House of Representatives.

i.e. ban the MPs who proposed the change, then appoint a people's council by executive decree. Which is how they'll try it. It's clearly political in nature, he's proposing ways they can put Suthep's 'people's council' into power in this comment! Even before he's 'found out whether these lawmakers committed wrongful acts' as he puts it!

Make whatever changes are needed to ensure future Democrat assured victories then have an election.

So it's not like the NACC wasn't blatant about the politics.

Edited March 26, 2014 by BlueNoseCodger

[BlueNoseCodger]

 

The NACC claimed the G2G rice deal was fake

The NACC also ruled there was no evidence substantiating the government-to-government rice deals claimed by Yingluck's government and pressed charges against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, former deputy commerce minister Phum Saraphon and 13 alleged accomplices.

That deal went ahead:

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 – China will abide by its promise to buy one million tons of rice a year under the government-to-government (G2G) basis, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Thailand and China.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand has confirmed that the Chinese government is willing to buy 1 million tons of rice on a G-to-G basis from the Thai government in accordance with the MOU signed by both country during the Chinese leader’s visit to Thailand late last year.

Political games.

The NACC's only other substantial claim is that Yingluk knew it was overrunning its budget and failed to take action. The other claims of stolen money and smuggling and so on, just don't stand up to even the basic checks (link). See also "The anti-corruption agency has yet to find any evidence of corruption on the rice pledging scheme, according to Wicha Mahakhun, Spokesperson of the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC)" (link).

To be clear, the rice pledge scheme is 15000 baht a tonne for A grade fragrant, and the bulk retail price is 36000 baht a tonne. So these prices are about right.

The rice middle mens cut (at least the middle men on the supply side inside Thailand, the wholesale margin on the sale side is still in place), were replaced so their margin has been handed down to the rice farmers, Its reasonable for farmers to get 40% of the bulk retail price.

There are issues still, the rice auctions have been blocked by Issara, bond issues have been blocked by EC, Suthep has done a run on the banks to stop financing, and so on, but those problems are political in nature.

 

If those prices are about right then why do we have a 700++ billion Baht loss? Just political of nature and not really lost, just misplaced ?

Just because Bluesky tells you there's a 700 billion loss, doesn't mean there's a 700 billion loss.

[Stan7444]

Methinks they doth protest too much.

Methinks it's actually PT/Thaksin/UDD that protests too much . . . if you want to see one body that is firmly in the pockets of PT/Thaksin, it's the "Police" and the "Border Police".

Methinks those grenade lobbers protest too much.

Methinks lobbers need new set of glasses.

[pkspeaker]

The NaCC, Constitutional Courts are both frauds installed by the previous coup, the previous coup forsaw the problem that the people they threw out would probably start winning elections again, so they stacked the courts and the upperhouse of parliament with pad activists-these are the same people that sacked 1 PPP PM for going on a cooking show. Its a self prepetuating fraud since the appointed upper house appoints and re-appoints the courts and themselves-allowing the democrats/pad/pdrc to constatly control the regime, having the power to throw out one TRT/PT PM after another, anytime they are disatisfied, they laucnch this fake 'people's power revolution' then manufacture false charges against the PM. These sham tribunals are guilty of conspiring to overthrow a democratically elected government and replacing it with an appointed dictatorship, when their faction controls the appointmets.

read:

http://robertamsterdam.com/thailand/2014/03/18/white-paper-thailand-the-plot-against-democracy/

the differences between the 1997 constitution where the upper house was elected, and the post-coup constitution.

[rubl]

 

The NACC claimed the G2G rice deal was fake

The NACC also ruled there was no evidence substantiating the government-to-government rice deals claimed by Yingluck's government and pressed charges against former commerce minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, former deputy commerce minister Phum Saraphon and 13 alleged accomplices.

That deal went ahead:

BANGKOK, 28 February 2014 – China will abide by its promise to buy one million tons of rice a year under the government-to-government (G2G) basis, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Thailand and China.

The Chinese embassy in Thailand has confirmed that the Chinese government is willing to buy 1 million tons of rice on a G-to-G basis from the Thai government in accordance with the MOU signed by both country during the Chinese leader’s visit to Thailand late last year.

Political games.

The NACC's only other substantial claim is that Yingluk knew it was overrunning its budget and failed to take action. The other claims of stolen money and smuggling and so on, just don't stand up to even the basic checks (link). See also "The anti-corruption agency has yet to find any evidence of corruption on the rice pledging scheme, according to Wicha Mahakhun, Spokesperson of the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC)" (link).

To be clear, the rice pledge scheme is 15000 baht a tonne for A grade fragrant, and the bulk retail price is 36000 baht a tonne. So these prices are about right.

The rice middle mens cut (at least the middle men on the supply side inside Thailand, the wholesale margin on the sale side is still in place), were replaced so their margin has been handed down to the rice farmers, Its reasonable for farmers to get 40% of the bulk retail price.

There are issues still, the rice auctions have been blocked by Issara, bond issues have been blocked by EC, Suthep has done a run on the banks to stop financing, and so on, but those problems are political in nature.

 

If those prices are about right then why do we have a 700++ billion Baht loss? Just political of nature and not really lost, just misplaced ?

Just because Bluesky tells you there's a 700 billion loss, doesn't mean there's a 700 billion loss.

A very true word, by dear blue nose. Mind you, even Yingluck cabinet Ministers have admitted that there may be a minor difference in input and output which might be construed as a possible non-positive income flow which could have less desirable effects on the projection of profits of the total rice price pledging scheme as foreseen earlier.

In the mean time the BAAC seems to have some problems because the government had it provide first 500 billion Baht for a revolving fund that didn't revolve, following a few hundred billion more was requested and a few months ago the government wanted to borrow another 130 billion Baht. The last they were not allowed to do in their not-so-care-taking position. Then they started to try to borrow from anyone who might have a few Baht and could be interested in borrowing them to the government. That didn't work. Finally they managed to borrow 20 billion from the Emergency Funds, an amount to be repaid end of May 2014 latests. Also the sales of rice has been 'increased' to try to pay outstanding debts to farmers, millers, warehouse owners and the like. In all it would seem the rice mountain will be no more by the end of the year, the 130 billion will have been used and the BAAC still has this 700++ billion Baht gap.

Allegedly of course. I'm sure that caretaking Dept. Minister of Commerce and UDD co-leader Nattawut, who was on a tour to explain rice price pledging to farmers last year, can also provide in-depth details on how one should see the scheme and how in the broader view of things one can only conclude that poor farmers have really been able to profit from this scheme the Yingluck government had set up for them.

[rubl]

The NaCC, Constitutional Courts are both frauds installed by the previous coup, the previous coup forsaw the problem that the people they threw out would probably start winning elections again, so they stacked the courts and the upperhouse of parliament with pad activists-these are the same people that sacked 1 PPP PM for going on a cooking show. Its a self prepetuating fraud since the appointed upper house appoints and re-appoints the courts and themselves-allowing the democrats/pad/pdrc to constatly control the regime, having the power to throw out one TRT/PT PM after another, anytime they are disatisfied, they laucnch this fake 'people's power revolution' then manufacture false charges against the PM. These sham tribunals are guilty of conspiring to overthrow a democratically elected government and replacing it with an appointed dictatorship, when their faction controls the appointmets.

read:

http://robertamsterdam.com/thailand/2014/03/18/white-paper-thailand-the-plot-against-democracy/

the differences between the 1997 constitution where the upper house was elected, and the post-coup constitution.

And another view on pro/contra between 1997 and 2007 constitution. Personally I think a little bit less suspect that anything which comes from the legal representative of the UDD (btw ICC still busy?)

"Deconstructing Thailand's (New) Eighteenth Constitution

Vitit Muntarbhorn

NOTE: This article is published with the kind permission of Vitit Muntarbhorn. This article originally appeared in Chulalongkorn Law Volume 26 No.3 February 2008."

http://www.thailawforum.com/articles/Thailand-Eighteeth-Consititution.html

[JamesDean3]

UDD for fair trials....not .....