Villagers want NACC to probe Thai industry minister for his gold mining links

[webfact]

Villagers want NACC to probe industry minister for his gold mining links



BANGKOK: -- A petition was submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission today by a group of villagers demanding an investigation into the conduct of Industry Minister Chakkramont Phasukvanich over his previous connection with gold-mining business.

The group claimed to represent people in Lop Buri, Saraburi, Phichit, Phitsanuloke and Petchabun provinces where gold mining operations are under way. The petition was received by Mr Phisit Pattanakitchamroon, a special expert on corruption.

The petitioners claimed by Industry Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company and a board director of CIMB bank which is key financier of the mining business.

Mrs Wanpen Promrangsan, a representative of the group, said that even though Mr Chakkramont had already resigned from the bank and disposed of his shares in the mining company, it was not enough to ensure that he would protect the interest of people affected from the effects of mining activities.

She said that large tracts of land namely 70,000 rai in Saraburi, 160,000 rai in Lop Buri and 400,000 rai in Phitsanuloke had been concessioned to gold mining companies .

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/villagers-want-nacc-probe-industry-minister-gold-mining-links/

-- Thai PBS 2014-09-11

[tomacht8]

The petitioners claimed by Industry Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company and a board director of CIMB bank which is key financier of the mining business.

Conflict of interest?
Taking advantage in his official function?
personal enrichment?
bribery?

[whybother]

The petitioners claimed by Industry Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company and a board director of CIMB bank which is key financier of the mining business.

Conflict of interest?

Taking advantage in his official function?

personal enrichment?

bribery?

"used to be" ... where is the conflict of interest?

[Cuchulainn]

Good.

ANYONE involved in politics at all in any way must be thoroughly scrutinised when declaring assets and wealth.

[tomacht8]

The petitioners claimed by Industry Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company and a board director of CIMB bank which is key financier of the mining business.

Conflict of interest?

Taking advantage in his official function?

personal enrichment?

bribery?

"used to be" ... where is the conflict of interest?

Perhaps the Minister of Industry gives the mining rights exclusive to companies at which he is privately involved?

[whybother]

Perhaps the Minister of Industry gives the mining rights exclusive to companies at which he is privately involved?

Which companies is he currently "privately involved"?

[tomacht8]

Perhaps the Minister of Industry gives the mining rights exclusive to companies at which he is privately involved?

Which companies is he currently "privately involved"?

Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company.

If you are Interested:

http://www.dailynews.co.th/Content/economic/262992/

Edited September 11, 2014 by tomacht8

[smutcakes]

Maybe the NACC can also investigate the role of the new police chief in the Loei mine fiasco, as he was a director of Tungkum Limited, which might explain the inability of the police to do anything.

[whybother]

Perhaps the Minister of Industry gives the mining rights exclusive to companies at which he is privately involved?

Which companies is he currently "privately involved"?

Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company.

If you are Interested:

http://www.dailynews.co.th/Content/economic/262992/

"used to be", so in other words, "not currently".

[tomacht8]

Perhaps the Minister of Industry gives the mining rights exclusive to companies at which he is privately involved?

Which companies is he currently "privately involved"?

Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company.

If you are Interested:

http://www.dailynews.co.th/Content/economic/262992/

"used to be", so in other words, "not currently".

He sold his shares recently, as it is in the article.

Is it good if the NACC checking this.

An assets and wealth check should be obligatory upon every high official and politician.

[whybother]

He sold his shares recently, as it is in the article.

Is it good if the NACC checking this.

An assets and wealth check should be obligatory upon every high official and politician.

He most likely sold his shares when he became minister. As such he would no longer be "privately involved" with the company. Therefore, (back to your original comment) there would be no "conflict of interest".

[tomacht8]

He sold his shares recently, as it is in the article.

Is it good if the NACC checking this.

An assets and wealth check should be obligatory upon every high official and politician.

He most likely sold his shares when he became minister. As such he would no longer be "privately involved" with the company. Therefore, (back to your original comment) there would be no "conflict of interest".

"used to be"

Or you think the Villagers do a PR stunt?

Edited September 11, 2014 by tomacht8

[whybother]

He sold his shares recently, as it is in the article.

Is it good if the NACC checking this.

An assets and wealth check should be obligatory upon every high official and politician.

He most likely sold his shares when he became minister. As such he would no longer be "privately involved" with the company. Therefore, (back to your original comment) there would be no "conflict of interest".

"used to be"

Correct. Before he became minister on September 1. Therefore, there is no conflict of interest.

[whybother]

Or you think the Villagers do a PR stunt?

The villagers don't like the fact that the Industry Minister knows about industry.

[tomacht8]

Or you think the Villagers do a PR stunt?

The villagers don't like the fact that the Industry Minister knows about industry.

I think the residents are concerned about their environment and the consequences of the mining industry.

[whybother]

I think the residents are concerned about their environment and the consequences of the mining industry.

And they have every right to be concerned. I am not disagreeing with that.

I am disagreeing with your statement that there is a conflict of interest. The minister no longer holds shares in Akkara mining. He is not "privately involved" with them.

[tomacht8]

I think the residents are concerned about their environment and the consequences of the mining industry.

And they have every right to be concerned. I am not disagreeing with that.

I am disagreeing with your statement that there is a conflict of interest. The minister no longer holds shares in Akkara mining. He is not "privately involved" with them.

Conflict of interest with a question mark, please!

Edited September 11, 2014 by tomacht8

[whybother]

I think the residents are concerned about their environment and the consequences of the mining industry.

And they have every right to be concerned. I am not disagreeing with that.

I am disagreeing with your statement that there is a conflict of interest. The minister no longer holds shares in Akkara mining. He is not "privately involved" with them.

Conflict of interest with a question mark, please!

So you're not trying to say there was a conflict of interest because he used to own shares?

[Acharn]

The petitioners claimed by Industry Minister Chakkramont used to be a shareholder in the Akkara mining company or Akkara Resources gold-mining company and a board director of CIMB bank which is key financier of the mining business.

Conflict of interest?

Taking advantage in his official function?

personal enrichment?

bribery?

"used to be" ... where is the conflict of interest?

The conflict is implied. Ownership of the 230,000 rai under concession to the mining company is not known. Whether he has continuing relations with the two companies is not known. Whether his wife owns shares in the mining company is not known. All good reason to dig into the particulars, since his position as Minister of Industries gives him huge power of the well-being of people. By the way, I think there is a General who is still closely associated with that mining company and owns a "private security" company that gets hired by the company as well.

[tomacht8]

I think the residents are concerned about their environment and the consequences of the mining industry.

And they have every right to be concerned. I am not disagreeing with that.

I am disagreeing with your statement that there is a conflict of interest. The minister no longer holds shares in Akkara mining. He is not "privately involved" with them.

Conflict of interest with a question mark, please!

So you're not trying to say there was a conflict of interest because he used to own shares?

That he was an influential person in finance and in the mining industry until some days before, is undisputed.

Now villagers demand the NACC to examine the independence.

That there are exist relationships of the past is undisputed without naivety.

Conflict of interest? (That is a question)

Who knows what is previously expired there in the villages from mining.

So i like that the NACC check this.

Sounds cool.

Edited September 11, 2014 by tomacht8

[Halion]

Knowing the Thai psyche , I would want to know to whom he sold his shares to before I jumped on the no conflict bandwagon. TIT

[chotthee]

Mr Chakkramont HAD already resigned from the bank and disposed of his shares in the mining company.

Case close please.

Better spend your time go after Yingluck.

Edited September 11, 2014 by chotthee

[rubl]

Well, it would seem that if we apply the strict logic of some posters here, not too many politicians will be able to ever become a Cabinet Minister. Ms. Yingluck is disqualified as well, pity really.

[Chris Lawrence]

What can one say if its true? Smart man get in get out with a sh*t load of cash. Business Thai style

[Artisi]

Knowing the Thai psyche , I would want to know to whom he sold his shares to before I jumped on the no conflict bandwagon. TIT

Agreed, maybe the maid, gardener, or family driver -- the precedent has already been established.

[FangFerang]

So, why would Thai villagers, well known for their selfless dedication to the national and world communities and altruistic motives, file a petition to protest that a former shareholder would not watch out for interests for which he no longer was involved nor supervising -?- "it was not enough to ensure that he would protect the interest of people affected from the effects of mining activities."

Uh, the one side buys votes and the other side buys petitions....

Amazing......

PS -- and look in the eyes of the guy on the left, and see past the deep poetic suffering....he thinks every day is Tuesday.

Edited September 11, 2014 by FangFerang

[khaowong1]

Just guessing here, but my vote is that some people in his district have bad feelings toward him.

[bangrak]

Selling his assets to whom might be a point to me, as if he would not be involved anymore, would you really believe it, it is as evident as when Thaksin first became PM, and no double standards, do remember, don't give anyone a possibility to put a minister's honesty into doubt, for sure not in this 'clean' government the country needs!