Thaksin gained most from coup, Chalerm claims

[whybother]

Just because no one 'liked' it, doesn't make it wrong.

How can you compare an elected government in the UK to a coup junta in Thailand?

Maybe because the leader is now the prime minister!! HELLO is there anyone there?

What difference does the fact that the leader of the junta is PM make?

How do you compare an ELECTED government in the UK with a coup junta (and self appointed PM) in Thailand?

When did an ELECTED government in Thailand ever have previous government MPs arrested?

[Equalizer]

Just because no one 'liked' it, doesn't make it wrong.

How can you compare an elected government in the UK to a coup junta in Thailand?

Maybe because the leader is now the prime minister!! HELLO is there anyone there?

What difference does the fact that the leader of the junta is PM make?

How do you compare an ELECTED government in the UK with a coup junta (and self appointed PM) in Thailand?

When did an ELECTED government in Thailand ever have previous government MPs arrested?

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

[whybother]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

[JAG]

When Thaksin's passport is withdrawn as a criminal & his sister, along with her cronies, are impeached/convicted of negligence & dereliction of duty, then, Thailand will freely move fwd.

Otherwise, stagers like Chalerm will continue to wallow in "days of future past" as the song goes!

Won't happen, they will not risk the backlash.

You believe the threats will work then do you ?

Could you give us a reason why an illegally issued passport should not be withdrawn, keeping in mind the numerous (ignored) requests by the OAG for Yingluck to explain why it was issued.

Could you give reasons why those who have broken the law should not face justice, other than that those whose duty it is to uphold the law have been threatened.

By much the same token, could you explain why a coup has enabled a military junta to topple an elected government, which had called an election in line with the constitution? I ask because your enthusiastic support for the coup and subsequent government somewhat contradicts your declared enthusiasm for what you perceive to be rule of law.

[tbthailand]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

you know that statement is completely irrelevant to his conviction, don't you?

[rubl]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

you know that statement is completely irrelevant to his conviction, don't you?

Totally agree. Thaksin was convicted because he was guilty, not because his brother-in-law failed to help him. The divorce was later anyway.

[whybother]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

you know that statement is completely irrelevant to his conviction, don't you?

It's relevant when Equalizer is trying to compare a Thailand coup government with an elected UK government.

[jjablonsky]

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

@DoDoey

The US is a Constitutional Republic. It is not a Democracy!

Abolutely true.. the USA is not actually a Democracy but a Republic based on Democratic principals. Just to prove a point we have had 4 Presidents who had not won the poplular vote, 1 of which won neither the popular vore nor the Electorial vote

John Quincy Adams was elected president despite not winning either the popular vote or the electoral vote. Andrew Jackson was the winner in both categories. Jackson received 38,000 more popular votes than Adams, and beat him in the electoral vote 99 to 84. Despite his victories, Jackson didn’t reach the majority 131 votes needed in the Electoral College to be declared president. In fact, neither candidate did. The decision went to the House of Representatives, which voted Adams into the White House.

In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes won the election (by a margin of one electoral vote), but he lost the popular vote by more than 250,000 ballots to Samuel J. Tilden.

In 1888, Benjamin Harrison received 233 electoral votes to Grover Cleveland’s 168, winning the presidency. But Harrison lost the popular vote by more than 90,000 votes.

In 2000, George W. Bush was declared the winner of the general election and became the 43rd president, but he didn’t win the popular vote either. Al Gore holds that distinction, garnering about 540,000 more votes than Bush. However, Bush won the electoral vote, 271 to 266.

We are governed by people we supposedly elect to perform in our best interest but it is painfully obvious to everyone that this is not really the case. We have just as much corruption as any other country and maybe more than some. We just call it political contributions, super pacs etc...

[jjablonsky]

@DoDoey

The US is a Constitutional Republic. It is not a Democracy!

The USA is a democracy.

Abolutely true.. the USA is not actually a Democracy but a Republic based on Democratic principals. Just to prove a point we have had 4 Presidents who had not won the poplular vote, 1 of which won neither the popular vore nor the Electorial vote

In 1824 John Quincy Adams was elected president despite not winning either the popular vote or the electoral vote. Andrew Jackson was the winner in both categories. Jackson received 38,000 more popular votes than Adams, and beat him in the electoral vote 99 to 84. Despite his victories, Jackson didn’t reach the majority 131 votes needed in the Electoral College to be declared president. In fact, neither candidate did. The decision went to the House of Representatives, which voted Adams into the White House.

In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes won the election (by a margin of one electoral vote), but he lost the popular vote by more than 250,000 ballots to Samuel J. Tilden.

In 1888, Benjamin Harrison received 233 electoral votes to Grover Cleveland’s 168, winning the presidency. But Harrison lost the popular vote by more than 90,000 votes.

In 2000, George W. Bush was declared the winner of the general election and became the 43rd president, but he didn’t win the popular vote either. Al Gore holds that distinction, garnering about 540,000 more votes than Bush. However, Bush won the electoral vote, 271 to 266.

We are governed by people we supposedly elect to perform in our best interest but it is painfully obvious to everyone that this is not really the case. We have just as much corruption as any other country and maybe more than some. We just call it political contributions, super pacs etc...

[tbthailand]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

you know that statement is completely irrelevant to his conviction, don't you?

It's relevant when Equalizer is trying to compare a Thailand coup government with an elected UK government.

Not really.

[tbthailand]

@DoDoey

The US is a Constitutional Republic. It is not a Democracy!

The USA is a democracy.

Abolutely true.. the USA is not actually a Democracy but a Republic based on Democratic principals. Just to prove a point we have had 4 Presidents who had not won the poplular vote, 1 of which won neither the popular vore nor the Electorial vote

In 1824 John Quincy Adams was elected president despite not winning either the popular vote or the electoral vote. Andrew Jackson was the winner in both categories. Jackson received 38,000 more popular votes than Adams, and beat him in the electoral vote 99 to 84. Despite his victories, Jackson didn’t reach the majority 131 votes needed in the Electoral College to be declared president. In fact, neither candidate did. The decision went to the House of Representatives, which voted Adams into the White House.

In 1876, Rutherford B. Hayes won the election (by a margin of one electoral vote), but he lost the popular vote by more than 250,000 ballots to Samuel J. Tilden.

In 1888, Benjamin Harrison received 233 electoral votes to Grover Cleveland’s 168, winning the presidency. But Harrison lost the popular vote by more than 90,000 votes.

In 2000, George W. Bush was declared the winner of the general election and became the 43rd president, but he didn’t win the popular vote either. Al Gore holds that distinction, garnering about 540,000 more votes than Bush. However, Bush won the electoral vote, 271 to 266.

We are governed by people we supposedly elect to perform in our best interest but it is painfully obvious to everyone that this is not really the case. We have just as much corruption as any other country and maybe more than some. We just call it political contributions, super pacs etc...

if people would look up the definition of democracy they would see that the USA is a democracy. It's form of government is a representative republic.

The two are not mutually exclusive. That's all.

[tbthailand]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

you know that statement is completely irrelevant to his conviction, don't you?

Totally agree. Thaksin was convicted because he was guilty, not because his brother-in-law failed to help him. The divorce was later anyway.

[German Viking]

Vietnam gained most from the coup, with international tourists up 21% in the first 6 months of 2014.

Too early to have exact statistics about investments, but these will be up too.

The coup was made in mai not in january.

[Robespiere]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

Thaksin's conviction is an absolute joke, just like the vote buying claims and the excessive corruption claims.

Thaksin paid 72 million baht above the value of the land in an open auction, the seller (the juntas current finance minister) did not view itself as being damaged by the transaction and legal amendments had to be made for there even to be a charge to lay against Thaksin.

What was he alleged to have done wrong.....Technical problems - how pathetic!

Pridiyathorn Devakula defended the FIDF transaction, saying that it was transparent. Chanchai Boonritchaisri, a senior director of the central bank's Legal and Litigation Department, also claimed that the FIDF did not view itself as the damaged party, as the land was sold to the Shinawatras at a price higher than its then appraised value (about 700 million baht). The FIDF originally purchased the land from the bankrupt Erawan Trust in 1995 for 2.14 billion; Erawan Trust had seized the land from a defunct borrower for only 103 million baht.

Jaruvan countered by complaining to the public about how some state agencies failed to co-operate with the AEC. She also accused claimed that Pridiyathorn violated the law by sitting on the Board of Directors of more than three state enterprises. Pridiyathorn later resigned from the junta-appointed government. The FIDF eventually filed charges against Thaksin and his wife, noting that "damage that occurred was not necessarily due to the price received during the auction, but rather technical problems." Jaruvan then sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed against public officials by parties who had not been damaged.

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

Edited November 2, 2014 by Robespiere

[rubl]

... ... ...

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

We Dutch acquired Manhattan in 1626 for what would now be about $1050. Seems prices go up.

Mind you, the topic is not on land cases but on Thaksin profiting from the coup, according to Pol. Captain Chalerm that is. Amazing really. Imagine Thaksin urging the Military to stage a coup against his sister so he (i.e. Thaksin) can profit? That's devious, conniving and so

[Robespiere]

... ... ...

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

We Dutch acquired Manhattan in 1626 for what would now be about $1050. Seems prices go up.

Mind you, the topic is not on land cases but on Thaksin profiting from the coup, according to Pol. Captain Chalerm that is. Amazing really. Imagine Thaksin urging the Military to stage a coup against his sister so he (i.e. Thaksin) can profit? That's devious, conniving and so

Prices go up for various reasons though.

In this particular instance the 2 billion baht price for land picked up for 103 million baht was an underhanded bailout of a trust run by former PM Major General Chatchai.

Thaksin’s wife Potjaman Shinawatra purchased the land in question from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) via a public auction, as allowed under the law. The purchase price was 772 million baht, which was actually higher than the Land Department’s appraisal price at the time of approximately 700 million baht. The “reduced rate” suggested is with reference to the FIDF’s own purchase price for the land of 2 billion baht in 1995 from Erawan Trust Finance and Securities. This intentionally overpriced purchase occurred during a property market boom and went through as a mechanism to effectively bail out Erawan, which was facing liquidity issues. Perhaps someone should investigate the properness of that deal, rather than trying to put the blame on Thaksin?

or

So Erawan Trust seize land for 103 million baht and then they sell it to the FIDF for 2.14 billion baht. So the 2.14 billion value in 1995 was some arbitrary figure to help Erawan Trust. If so, shouldn’t we just ignore the 2.14 billion baht figure because it seems grossly overpriced. The 2.14 billion price also raises some other questions as Somboon Kuptimnas, the director of SC Asset Corporation Plc’s legal office is reported as stating:

In fact, the ASC should ask the FIDF

why it paid more than two billion baht for the land before auctioning it off

, said Mr Somboon.

[bkkstooge]

This general is doing more good for Thailand than anyone has ever-

He is destroying its image and reputation to such an extent he is turning all the country slowly Red.

By the time Bangkok crashes and businesses vanish and the middle class Thai/Chinese Gold store owners lament their Protests which started almost a year ago-

This Junta would have Galvanised the entire country *(against it

Even right wing elitist mouth pieces like the NATION newspaper are starting to raise questions about the course this THAI_TANIC is on.

Which is extraordinary in itself

Red shirt uprising blah blah blah, seething masses Blah Blah Blah, Bangkok crashes blah blah blah.

In your adolescent wet dreams boyo.

[bkkstooge]

"Chalerm said the controversial "blanket amnesty" brought an end to the Yingluck government because it provided the PDRC with a valid reason to overthrow the government." So very true and whose idea was that bil? and what happened as a direct consequence?

Thaksin's idea and No 2 his incompetent criminal proxy Govt was kicked out and this works out well for Thaksin NOT!

[Robespiere]

This general is doing more good for Thailand than anyone has ever-

He is destroying its image and reputation to such an extent he is turning all the country slowly Red.

By the time Bangkok crashes and businesses vanish and the middle class Thai/Chinese Gold store owners lament their Protests which started almost a year ago-

This Junta would have Galvanised the entire country *(against it

Even right wing elitist mouth pieces like the NATION newspaper are starting to raise questions about the course this THAI_TANIC is on.

Which is extraordinary in itself

Red shirt uprising blah blah blah, seething masses Blah Blah Blah, Bangkok crashes blah blah blah.

In your adolescent wet dreams boyo.

Late 2015 or early 2016

[bkkstooge]

This general is doing more good for Thailand than anyone has ever-

He is destroying its image and reputation to such an extent he is turning all the country slowly Red.

By the time Bangkok crashes and businesses vanish and the middle class Thai/Chinese Gold store owners lament their Protests which started almost a year ago-

This Junta would have Galvanised the entire country *(against it

Even right wing elitist mouth pieces like the NATION newspaper are starting to raise questions about the course this THAI_TANIC is on.

Which is extraordinary in itself

Red shirt uprising blah blah blah, seething masses Blah Blah Blah, Bangkok crashes blah blah blah.

In your adolescent wet dreams boyo.

Late 2015 or early 2016

Robespiere [sic]

It took a matter of days for the red shirt movement to be taken down in 2010 by the Thai army (and with all due respect it ain't exactly the Navy seals or the Gurkha regiment) In May this year they were just shouted at by a soldier from the stage at Puthamonton and they all cleared off in less than 48 hours. They have no backing other than Thaksin's wealth and is he going to start shovelling millions into this place for guns etc...again? Can he? Unless your rural peasant movement can get backing just please tell me how are they going to achieve their and your revolutionary goals. Even the Khmer Rouge had the backing of China (and the usa), The North Vietnamese who are a damn sight more effective as guerrilla soldiers than the red shirt dross had Russia. Is Laos going to support their brothers across the Maekhong? methinks NOT Is Hun Sen going to come to the aid of his Thai comrades? Again NO

Please Bob just tell me how they are going to do it?

[blaze]

It is very difficult to predict how this will end. Prayuth has made his goals clear: to return Thailand to a time of purity- when everyone knew and accepted their place. (haven't we heard THOSE kind of ideals before!!)

His abhorance of conflict within society has even prompted his disgust with tv shows that show discord (usually of the marital nature). Of course this is a sell job on his part-- but many have not lived through the utpopian experiments utopian experiments of Europe and Russia in the first half of the 20th century- (the quest for 'a few good men' who incorporate all that is fine and noble in the nation, granted unrestricted power, can rescusitate the national soul...)

And these people- like some of the more zealous in the PDRC-- or the advocates of Dhammocracy-- may just believe that pies in skies are for the having- it just takes the right leader to bring them to earth. They will accept no compromise, I fear- certainly not one that would return Thailand to the prospect of being governened by a party elected by the rabble- a system where it's not who you know- but how effectively you can compete that will determine your lot. where laws are taken seriously-- and apply to one and all with equal force--- despite the color of the shirt or the well placed cousin.

and how long will the rabble accept constraints on its right to enjoy full political citizenship? How long can martial law be maintained? (the warning to Burkina Fasao about possible UN sanctions, should be heard loud and clear in Thailand).

We are hearing- in normally conservative news media, a certain amount of questioning- of the vision- of the means-- this can NOT be permitted since it is veering dangerously close to 'formenting conflict'--the fundamental ill that the coup sought to address. Thus the screws will have to be further tightened-- loosening them will be seen as compromise and possible encouragement to the enemy and incur the contempt of the friends-- but tightening them- toughening up martial law-- will result only in more deep dissatisfaction-- wherein satisfaction- 'atomization' becomes a part of the political fabric-- and that too does not portend well- as we have seen in too many other countries.

Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Edited November 3, 2014 by blaze

[rubl]

Prices go up for various reasons though.

In this particular instance the 2 billion baht price for land picked up for 103 million baht was an underhanded bailout of a trust run by former PM Major General Chatchai.

Thaksin’s wife Potjaman Shinawatra purchased the land in question from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) via a public auction, as allowed under the law. The purchase price was 772 million baht, which was actually higher than the Land Department’s appraisal price at the time of approximately 700 million baht. The “reduced rate” suggested is with reference to the FIDF’s own purchase price for the land of 2 billion baht in 1995 from Erawan Trust Finance and Securities. This intentionally overpriced purchase occurred during a property market boom and went through as a mechanism to effectively bail out Erawan, which was facing liquidity issues. Perhaps someone should investigate the properness of that deal, rather than trying to put the blame on Thaksin?

or

So Erawan Trust seize land for 103 million baht and then they sell it to the FIDF for 2.14 billion baht. So the 2.14 billion value in 1995 was some arbitrary figure to help Erawan Trust. If so, shouldn’t we just ignore the 2.14 billion baht figure because it seems grossly overpriced. The 2.14 billion price also raises some other questions as Somboon Kuptimnas, the director of SC Asset Corporation Plc’s legal office is reported as stating:

In fact, the ASC should ask the FIDF why it paid more than two billion baht for the land before auctioning it off, said Mr Somboon.

Your data seems to come from this particular side.

http://slimdogsworld.blogspot.com

May I suggest you read ALL of it, rather than only those pieces you like?

BTW not related to the OP at all this, but since you mentioned poor Thaksin's ex-wife, she must have had some premonition on her upcoming divorce five years later and wanted to have a quiet place for her own, even getting her then husband the PM to sign a letter that he granted her permission.

"18th December 2003

33 rai (53,000 sq m) of land near to the cultural centre was sold to Pojaman Shinawatra to use as a private residence for:

772 Million baht. (58,000 baht/ sq wah)

"

Edited November 3, 2014 by rubl

[whybother]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

Thaksin's conviction is an absolute joke, just like the vote buying claims and the excessive corruption claims.

Thaksin paid 72 million baht above the value of the land in an open auction, the seller (the juntas current finance minister) did not view itself as being damaged by the transaction and legal amendments had to be made for there even to be a charge to lay against Thaksin.

What was he alleged to have done wrong.....Technical problems - how pathetic!

Pridiyathorn Devakula defended the FIDF transaction, saying that it was transparent. Chanchai Boonritchaisri, a senior director of the central bank's Legal and Litigation Department, also claimed that the FIDF did not view itself as the damaged party, as the land was sold to the Shinawatras at a price higher than its then appraised value (about 700 million baht). The FIDF originally purchased the land from the bankrupt Erawan Trust in 1995 for 2.14 billion; Erawan Trust had seized the land from a defunct borrower for only 103 million baht.

Jaruvan countered by complaining to the public about how some state agencies failed to co-operate with the AEC. She also accused claimed that Pridiyathorn violated the law by sitting on the Board of Directors of more than three state enterprises. Pridiyathorn later resigned from the junta-appointed government. The FIDF eventually filed charges against Thaksin and his wife, noting that "damage that occurred was not necessarily due to the price received during the auction, but rather technical problems." Jaruvan then sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed against public officials by parties who had not been damaged.

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

It's not about the price. What Thaksin did wrong was buying property from a government related department while he was PM.

[Robespiere]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

Thaksin's conviction is an absolute joke, just like the vote buying claims and the excessive corruption claims.

Thaksin paid 72 million baht above the value of the land in an open auction, the seller (the juntas current finance minister) did not view itself as being damaged by the transaction and legal amendments had to be made for there even to be a charge to lay against Thaksin.

What was he alleged to have done wrong.....Technical problems - how pathetic!

Pridiyathorn Devakula defended the FIDF transaction, saying that it was transparent. Chanchai Boonritchaisri, a senior director of the central bank's Legal and Litigation Department, also claimed that the FIDF did not view itself as the damaged party, as the land was sold to the Shinawatras at a price higher than its then appraised value (about 700 million baht). The FIDF originally purchased the land from the bankrupt Erawan Trust in 1995 for 2.14 billion; Erawan Trust had seized the land from a defunct borrower for only 103 million baht.

Jaruvan countered by complaining to the public about how some state agencies failed to co-operate with the AEC. She also accused claimed that Pridiyathorn violated the law by sitting on the Board of Directors of more than three state enterprises. Pridiyathorn later resigned from the junta-appointed government. The FIDF eventually filed charges against Thaksin and his wife, noting that "damage that occurred was not necessarily due to the price received during the auction, but rather technical problems." Jaruvan then sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed against public officials by parties who had not been damaged.

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

It's not about the price. What Thaksin did wrong was buying property from a government related department while he was PM.

No it wasn't wrong and therein lies the problem for the yellow peanuts.

The property was bought out in the open, in a very public sealed bid auction, which the Shinawatra's won by placing the highest bid - 10% above the assessed value of the land and the seller, who just happens to be in a position of prominence in the current military Junta cabinet, was very happy with the price and vehemently defended the transaction.

Laws had to be changed (which was easy to do under the then coup government) in order for charges to be laid.

sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed

Technical problems - so vague as to be so ridiculous that only a special kind of peanut could hear it, believe it and regurgitate it.

[pitti102]

Lets face it Prayuth has a huge task on his hands and it doesn't help to have drunken fools ranting in nonsensical ways.

If Prayuth ruled with an iron fist he could change LOS quickly, but his softly softly approach is going to take a lot longer!

Dude...let Prayuth go rule your country with an iron fist. This is Thailand!!!

Edited November 3, 2014 by pitti102

[whybother]

No it wasn't wrong and therein lies the problem for the yellow peanuts.

The property was bought out in the open, in a very public sealed bid auction, which the Shinawatra's won by placing the highest bid - 10% above the assessed value of the land and the seller, who just happens to be in a position of prominence in the current military Junta cabinet, was very happy with the price and vehemently defended the transaction.

Laws had to be changed (which was easy to do under the then coup government) in order for charges to be laid.

sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed

Technical problems - so vague as to be so ridiculous that only a special kind of peanut could hear it, believe it and regurgitate it.

It was clearly against the law whether it was in the open or not. He was PM. The law stopped him or his family from doing deals with government departments. Given that the government transferred a bunch of it's debt to the FIDF after the 97 crash, that makes it under control of the government.

[Robespiere]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

Thaksin's conviction is an absolute joke, just like the vote buying claims and the excessive corruption claims.

Thaksin paid 72 million baht above the value of the land in an open auction, the seller (the juntas current finance minister) did not view itself as being damaged by the transaction and legal amendments had to be made for there even to be a charge to lay against Thaksin.

What was he alleged to have done wrong.....Technical problems - how pathetic!

Pridiyathorn Devakula defended the FIDF transaction, saying that it was transparent. Chanchai Boonritchaisri, a senior director of the central bank's Legal and Litigation Department, also claimed that the FIDF did not view itself as the damaged party, as the land was sold to the Shinawatras at a price higher than its then appraised value (about 700 million baht). The FIDF originally purchased the land from the bankrupt Erawan Trust in 1995 for 2.14 billion; Erawan Trust had seized the land from a defunct borrower for only 103 million baht.

Jaruvan countered by complaining to the public about how some state agencies failed to co-operate with the AEC. She also accused claimed that Pridiyathorn violated the law by sitting on the Board of Directors of more than three state enterprises. Pridiyathorn later resigned from the junta-appointed government. The FIDF eventually filed charges against Thaksin and his wife, noting that "damage that occurred was not necessarily due to the price received during the auction, but rather technical problems." Jaruvan then sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed against public officials by parties who had not been damaged.

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

It's not about the price. What Thaksin did wrong was buying property from a government related department while he was PM.

You tell me any government in the world that wouldn't be ecstatic to sell an asset it's trying to offload for 10% above its value.

Thaksin overpaid for a piece of land and you peanuts think its a crime.

If this is proof of Thaksin's corruption, he should be glad that the Generals kicked him out or he would have bankrupted himself by now.

[whybother]

Why is Thaksin in exile? I think your on a looser mate, over and out.

Thaksin ran away because he is a convicted criminal ... convicted while HIS proxy party was in power.

Thaksin's conviction is an absolute joke, just like the vote buying claims and the excessive corruption claims.

Thaksin paid 72 million baht above the value of the land in an open auction, the seller (the juntas current finance minister) did not view itself as being damaged by the transaction and legal amendments had to be made for there even to be a charge to lay against Thaksin.

What was he alleged to have done wrong.....Technical problems - how pathetic!

Pridiyathorn Devakula defended the FIDF transaction, saying that it was transparent. Chanchai Boonritchaisri, a senior director of the central bank's Legal and Litigation Department, also claimed that the FIDF did not view itself as the damaged party, as the land was sold to the Shinawatras at a price higher than its then appraised value (about 700 million baht). The FIDF originally purchased the land from the bankrupt Erawan Trust in 1995 for 2.14 billion; Erawan Trust had seized the land from a defunct borrower for only 103 million baht.

Jaruvan countered by complaining to the public about how some state agencies failed to co-operate with the AEC. She also accused claimed that Pridiyathorn violated the law by sitting on the Board of Directors of more than three state enterprises. Pridiyathorn later resigned from the junta-appointed government. The FIDF eventually filed charges against Thaksin and his wife, noting that "damage that occurred was not necessarily due to the price received during the auction, but rather technical problems." Jaruvan then sought legal amendments that allowed charges to be filed against public officials by parties who had not been damaged.

How about the real crime here, a government agency paid 2.14 billion baht for a piece of land the Erawan Trust (owned by ex-Prime Minister, Major General Chatichai Choonhavan) acquired for just 103 million baht.

It's not about the price. What Thaksin did wrong was buying property from a government related department while he was PM.

You tell me any government in the world that wouldn't be ecstatic to sell an asset it's trying to offload for 10% above its value.

Thaksin overpaid for a piece of land and you peanuts think its a crime.

If this is proof of Thaksin's corruption, he should be glad that the Generals kicked him out or he would have bankrupted himself by now.

Do you have a reading problem?

Its not about the price.

[fab4]

Do you have a reading problem?

Its not about the price.

No it's not about the price, it's about an "interesting" adjudication on a matter that the NCCC had previously said would not be illegal.

As rubl said, but obviously hasn't followed his own advice, I suggest you read all of this site to get a less jaundiced view of what actually occurred; http://slimdogsworld.blogspot.com/

Edited November 4, 2014 by fab4

[rubl]

Do you have a reading problem?

Its not about the price.

No it's not about the price, it's about an "interesting" adjudication on a matter that the NCCC had previously said would not be illegal.

As rubl said, but obviously hasn't followed his own advice, I suggest you read all of this site to get a less jaundiced view of what actually occurred; http://slimdogsworld.blogspot.com/

Oh come on fabs, did you read all of it?

It would seem complaints about the price now start to center on the selection of the judges rather than the actual offence. I assume once that has led to a dead end you guys will start on another angle. The 'political accusation' on this political offence didn't really work out either, now did it?

Section 9 of the "Organic Act on Criminal Procedure for Holders of Political Offices, B.E. 2542 (1999)" seems to be broad enough. The PM by allowing his wife to buy government property gave a possible negative signal even if his wife's bid was nominally higher. That's corruption by possible (mis)use of status, or 'conflict of interest'. Neither PM Thaksin nor his then wife had any need for this piece of land for the purpose of a private residence. Being 'amply rich' should mean able to put self aside for the purpose of being PM leading the country and by example.