Samak's wife, Pracha ordered by court to pay Bt587 million to BMA

[bulekee]

So what has happened to the fire trucks and boats? Have they been sold to a scrap metal dealer?

They are impounded at Chonburi,rusting away.

[jcisco]

Good work investigators, prosecutors, haters, checks and balances and of course the courts. Much Much more of this and in a timely manner and things might just turn around.

I'd actually consider that news piece a rare positive one.

[xminator]

Another thieving Thai Prime Minister.

Maybe its just the english reports missing that piece, but is there any proof that any of that money found the way into their own pockets, or is it "just" a fine for buying something at inflated prices?

[Mot Dang]

Khun Pracha just found out "Karma is a bitch".

[RubbaJohnny]

When the Firechief twins Jose and Hose B were asked

what was the purpose of the machines they spurted in unison

'GO TO BLAZES'

Former distinguished member of the asset bribe concealment board says he was a tinguisher but he's an extinguisher now

[moe666]

The red supporters are just going to love this one, can't wait for the spin to begin.

Wonder how many reds would have voted for Samak in the BKK mayoral election of 2000. After all, Thaksin chose Samak to lead PPP in 2007 both because he was an establishment figure, and because he had a lot of support amongst the middle classes in BKK, particularly lower middle class conservative types. Obviously it didn't quite work out as this group became the main constituency of PAD and is also a significant supporter base for the PDRC. Most reds I've spoken to didn't like him until he became PM and even then he wasn't popular upcountry (reports of many walking out of his appearances in Issan etc).

I think PPP won inspite of Samak more than because of him. But perhaps he did garner some affection from some reds in the end though, one supporter was telling me how he believed Samak had become a changed man and learned to love democracy. lol.

Take a little walk down history lane, no red shirts in 2000. This organization came about around 2010

[rametindallas]

The red supporters are just going to love this one, can't wait for the spin to begin.

But, but, but, SUTHEP!

[rametindallas]

Half a billion baht.

She'll pay for it out of the Samak Petty Cash Fund.

Good to see the recoupment of some of his ill-gotten Thaksin Proxy gains.

Presumably, his estate was sued - he being dead. If the administration of his estate had already been completed, what liability should any beneficiary have who was not party to the purchase of these vehicles? Answer: none. If the estate is still being administered, it is the estate, in the form of trustees or ececutors, who would have this liability but only to the extent of the remaining value in the estate.

Another piece of poor journalism that leaves more questions than it answers.

Another piece of poor journalism that leaves more questions than it answers.

I dunno, you seem to have all the answers. Where did you get your degree in Thai law to know so much?

[ABCer]

This is a Good Thing in itself, but a dangerous development.

If one thief can be ordered to pay back what happens to many others?

Let us wait and see...

[ramrod711]

The case involves the purchase of 315 firefighting trucks and 30 boats at what is alleged to have been inflated prices. Mr Samak was governor at the time of the purchase, but died in 2009.

Plodsarob could have used those 30 boats in his valiant (retarded) effort to stop the flooding in Bangkok. We will never know if they would have made the difference, most of us might have very strong doubts, but can we really be certain?

[hidavey]

You see ...when u don't share this is what happens.

[gamini]

He (samak) was selected by most of the present government members as thier PM!!

[northernjohn]

Another thieving Thai Prime Minister.

Maybe its just the english reports missing that piece, but is there any proof that any of that money found the way into their own pockets, or is it "just" a fine for buying something at inflated prices?

there is a well worn trail from the Thai treasure to the pockets of politicians.

Your question is similar to asking if there is any proof of a landing strip at swampy.

You think they just sit around and make these things up?

[Thai at Heart]

How about that for visiting punishment on the children for the sins of the parents.

There will not of course be one baht to their names so, tough, no cash for you lot.

[webfact]

Court orders Pracha, Samak's family to pay damages in BMA fire-vehicle purchase
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Fugitive former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont and the heirs of late former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej were yesterday ordered by the Central Administrative Court each to pay Bt587 million to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to cover the losses caused by the procurement of fire trucks nine years ago.

The court ordered Khunying Surat Sundaravej and Pracha to pay 30 per cent of the Bt1.958 billion the BMA has already paid to Austrian firm Steyr-Daimler-Puch. The BMA's payment went towards the Bt6.68-billion purchase of 315 fire trucks and 30 boats in July 2004.

Samak's twin daughters Kanchanakorn Chaiyalarp and Kandapha Mungthin, along with their mother Surat, have jointly been held responsible for the payment.

Pracha, who is fleeing a 12-year jail sentence handed down in another court verdict, and Samak's family are also subject to 7.5-per-cent interest on a yearly basis retroactively to when the BMA first paid the Austrian firm.

The court did not find Samak's successor Apirak Kosayodhin liable for any payments.

Also yesterday, former commerce minister Watana Muangsook won an appeal against the BMA's demand that he pay an unspecified sum for allegedly amending regulations to make a barter agreement to pay for the fire trucks with chickens or other farm products. He was initially indicted on these charges by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The judges said there was not enough evidence to prove the allegations.

The Central Administrative Court yesterday ruled that Samak, in his capacity as former Bangkok governor, and former senior BMA official Athilak Tanchookiat had collaborated to rush the contract through before Samak completed his term.

The contract was signed even though it had not been scrutinised by the Office of the Attorney-General, which is normal practice in purchases of this sort.

The fire equipment has been confiscated as evidence after arriving in 2006 and is now in ruins. The BMA later suspended the contract after finding that fire engines were defective and that their prices were highly inflated.

Meanwhile, Samak's family and Pracha still have a chance to file an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court.

Last year, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found Athilak, then director of the BMA Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, guilty of altering specifications of the fire vehicles and boats. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The Supreme Court found that Pracha and Athilak had pushed for the purchase without comparing prices, which allowed the Austrian company to sell the vehicles at a price that was found to be nearly 49 per cent higher than it would have been if bought locally.

The purchase deal was signed while Samak was Bangkok governor between July 2000 and August 2004, but the Supreme Court dropped charges against him after his death in 2009. Apparently, Samak signed the deal on August 27, 2004 - his last day as governor - before the gubernatorial elections were held two days later.


-- The Nation 2014-05-01

[gangrel]

Another thieving Thai Prime Minister.

Another thieving convicted Prime Minister that never spent a day in jail.

[Mango Bob]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Another thieving Thai Prime Minister.

Another thieving convicted Prime Minister that never spent a day in jail.

What a stupid comment to make.

[gangrel]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Another thieving Thai Prime Minister.

Another thieving convicted Prime Minister that never spent a day in jail.

What a stupid comment to make.

I suppose it takes all kinds, but a Samak Defender is a rare breed.

.

Edited April 30, 2014 by gangrel

[chooka]

To Bulekee : There's a very inactive Aircraft Carrier moored at Sattahip Navy harbour. It has a VTO 'ski-jump' atop the pointed end, but alas never any visible signs of Harrier comings and goings!

Why would Thailand need an aircraft carrier?

[chooka]

Another thieving Thai Prime Minister.

P.M or Governor?

[geriatrickid]

The red supporters are just going to love this one, can't wait for the spin to begin.

What are "red supporters"? If you mean UDD supporters, I doubt they will lose sleep over it, let alone care, except to ask if the money will be paid and where will it go. In case you forgot, the woman was a "financial adviser" to the C.P. Group, which as you know is a US$47 billion multinational and dominates much of the Thai economy. She's considered part of the Bangkok "elite". The UDD were never supporters of her or her deceased husband and I believe most detested both of them. The crime occurred in Bangkok, which is not where the UDD support base is.

Now, if you mean communists or socialists, I expect that they will be delighted. If you recall the Thammasat massacre, her late husband figured prominently. he also had hundreds of "leftists" arrested and was known for his extremist anti-communist views. In later years he may have mellowed and regretted some of what he did, but Thailand's social activists and liberal leaning demographic never forgave him. Many of these people had supported the yellow shirts as a way of hitting out at a man they detested and who they considered to be cruel and too right wing.

I don't think there is going to be any spin. She's named because it is believed that she indirectly benefited from the alleged improprieties. If so, she must disgorge the ill gotten monies.

[geriatrickid]

He (samak) was selected by most of the present government members as thier PM!!

Nope. Most of the MPs were not around back then, Don't forget there were a large number of MPs from that period banned for a period of time.

[gangrel]

He (samak) was selected by most of the present government members as thier PM!!

Nope. Most of the MPs were not around back then, Don't forget there were a large number of MPs from that period banned for a period of time.

He (samak) was selected by the fathers and uncles of most of the present nominee proxy government members as thier PM

[Emptyset]

The red supporters are just going to love this one, can't wait for the spin to begin.

Wonder how many reds would have voted for Samak in the BKK mayoral election of 2000. After all, Thaksin chose Samak to lead PPP in 2007 both because he was an establishment figure, and because he had a lot of support amongst the middle classes in BKK, particularly lower middle class conservative types. Obviously it didn't quite work out as this group became the main constituency of PAD and is also a significant supporter base for the PDRC. Most reds I've spoken to didn't like him until he became PM and even then he wasn't popular upcountry (reports of many walking out of his appearances in Issan etc).

I think PPP won inspite of Samak more than because of him. But perhaps he did garner some affection from some reds in the end though, one supporter was telling me how he believed Samak had become a changed man and learned to love democracy. lol.

Take a little walk down history lane, no red shirts in 2000. This organization came about around 2010

Well, indeed. That was sort of my point, although GK makes it much more clearly in his post above. This happened while Samak was BKK mayor and the type of person who supports the red shirts now is perhaps unlikely to have supported Samak back then.

[thaipod]

Now let's see if they go after Taksins ex interior minister Khun Polken who signed for the scam .

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

So one ex govt guy on the run from a 12-year prison sentence. And the disaster prevention guy sentenced to 10 years, but note that in none of the articles does it actually say he's serving the sentence, which if he was, he'd presumably still be in prison for.

I've always wondered, other than the biggest fugitive, where do more ordinary Thais goes when they need to flee justice? A Thai passport isn't exactly a ticket to the world in terms of long-term residency. Cambodia and/or Laos seem to often crop up in these kinds of deals.

[GeorgeO]

A couple of points arise from this report:

1. One wonders what the Austrian firm's side of the story is regarding the selling price. I think they might argue that it ended up about 49% higher than the price they quoted...!!

2. "Athilak was sentenced to 10 years in prison".

Was that a real ten-year sentence, or did it become a 12-month suspended sentence...?!

[pmugghc]

In the 12 years I've been living here I can't recall a single "bigwig" who has actually served prison time. Has it happened?

[chotthee]

Since Samak has been alleged to steal so much, Paying back 587 million Baht is small change for her.

Unless the stolen money is with Mia Noi, rather than with her.

[newcomer71]

The red supporters are just going to love this one, can't wait for the spin to begin.

Maybe if you actually learnt a bit about Thai history you would avoid such a poor kind of post...

I give you some hints:

Samak - Bangkok Administration - 2000