Ex-TAT chief to be charged with bribery

[webfact]

Ex-TAT chief to be charged with bribery
Natthapat Phromkaew
The Nation

NACC case involves alleged US$1.8m payment by hollywood filmmakers

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has declared that it will file charges against former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan, who has been accused of accepting bribes from Hollywood filmmakers.

The charges will go to the Office of the Attorney-General in the next few weeks.

The process of filing charges began after December 2007 when Los Angeles film executive Gerald Green and his wife Patricia Green were arrested on charges of paying US$1.8 million (around Bt60 million at that time) in bribes to a Thai tourism official for the rights to run the annual Bangkok International Film Festival between 2002 and 2007.

Vichai Vivitasevi, a member of the NACC and also of a joint committee working with the Office of the Attorney-General, said yesterday that investigators had been working on both documentary and individual evidence for two years and 11 months.

"We have collected 2,200 pieces of documentary papers in relation to the case, most of which involved ways Juthamas allegedly deposited funds in banks in Singapore, Switzerland, Britain and the US," Vichai said.

He added that all evidence collected was now considered as complete.

In regard to the assets used in the alleged bribes, amounting to $1.8 million, Vichai said this evidence was in the process of being brought back to Thailand in line an agreement with the United States under the United Nations Convention against Corruption of 2003.

He said the NACC had set up a fact-finding subpanel to probe whether Juthamas was unusually wealthy in a bid to ask for the confiscation of her assets. If she were found to be unexplainably rich, money could be taken over by the state.

"If she is also found guilty on criminal charges, she could face life imprisonment as the maximum punishment," Vichai said.

He was asked whether the NACC had sped up the case to meet a March 31, 2015, deadline - after which the US would need to drop proceedings if the Thai government could not bring it to court. Vichai said he would push for the case to be taken up as quickly as possible because of the US's firm stance on corruption.

The case is being investigated by agents from the Los Angeles Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The Greens formed a business to bid for the management contract for the annual film festival.

In 2010, they were found guilty of paying bribes to the former tourism chief via bank accounts in Singapore, on the Isle of Jersey and in Britain - set up in the names of Juthamas' daughter Jittisopa Siriwan and a friend.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Ex-TAT-chief-to-be-charged-with-bribery-30247649.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-13

[Pierrefun]

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has declared that it will file charges against former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan

Long overdue, but at last, movement is made.


Her tainted, but unsurprising, past history:

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appointed Juthamas as TAT governor in 2002 and she held the post until 2006.

She was a controversial figure, even before the film festival scandal.

After the 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand and Southeast Asia, she didn’t win many fans when she declared: "Although we lost many lives and much property in the disaster, the tragic event has brought some good things as it has swept away all the garbage and some parts of the Andaman Sea are the clearest they have been in 20 years."

http://www.thailawforum.com/fcpa-thailand-film-fest-2.html

[jaltsc]

"He was asked whether the NACC had sped up the case to meet a March 31, 2015, deadline - after which the US would need to drop proceedings if the Thai government could not bring it to court. Vichai said he would push for the case to be taken up as quickly as possible because of the US's firm stance on corruption."

Speed up the case. Now the real bribes begin.

Edited November 12, 2014 by jaltsc

[CWMcMurray]

This happened in 2002-2007....

The US arrested and convicted the the US parties back in 2010...

... It is now 2014 (almost 2015) and the NACC is just now deciding to go forward with the case...

Any the take is..... People are asking if the NACC has "sped up the case" in order to proceed before statute of Limitations expires in US in a few months...

I remember when this originally hit the headings 4 years ago, when the US parties were convicted...

Anyone know why these "investigations" take so long?

In the article it says the investigation has been going on form2 years and 11 months... So does that mean in took over a year from the time then US to convict the US folks before the Thai authorities even decided to start an investigation into the issue?

[RustBucket]

This happened in 2002-2007....

The US arrested and convicted the the US parties back in 2010...

... It is now 2014 (almost 2015) and the NACC is just now deciding to go forward with the case...

Any the take is..... People are asking if the NACC has "sped up the case" in order to proceed before statute of Limitations expires in US in a few months...

I remember when this originally hit the headings 4 years ago, when the US parties were convicted...

Anyone know why these "investigations" take so long?

In the article it says the investigation has been going on form2 years and 11 months... So does that mean in took over a year from the time then US to convict the US folks before the Thai authorities even decided to start an investigation into the issue?

My thoughts exactly.

In my opinion there needs to be about 700 NACCs in Thailand just to get through the 25,000+ cases of corruption backlog.

This case should have been dealt with at least 3 years ago and put to bed.

Anyway..... give them 10 years minimum. They are in a position of trust, and do nothing for Thailand, but only serve themselves.... naaaa... actually give them 20 years as a message to would be corrupt servants of the public.

This country really needs to get super tough with these people, all the way to the top.... yes you Yingluck.

[Pierrefun]

The NACC charges notwithstanding, Juthamas and her daughter Jittisopa have been indicted in U.S. Federal Court.

Overdue for their extradition to the U.S. to face those charges directly:


Date Filed: January 28, 2009

Full Case Name: United States v. Juthamas Siriwan and Jittisopa Siriwan

On January 28, 2009, Juthamas and Jittisopa Siriwan, both Thai citizens, were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. They are charged with transporting funds to promote unlawful activity, namely bribery of a foreign official in violation of the FCPA, conspiring to do so, and aiding and abetting.

On April 4, 2011, the government filed a sealed affidavit in support of extraditing the Siriwans from Thailand.

http://fcpa.shearman.com/?s=matter&mode=form&id=266

[ChrisY1]

I would imagine that during the PTT years, this case would have been put on the backburner as she was a friend of TS and his bunch.

To state that it's taken almost 3 years to get a case investigated to the degree that it could go to trial, is probably evidence that it had been shelved....no doubt with the intent of nothing happening.

But, she has certainly had plenty of time to dispose of her assets in the event of siezure!

The ex Governor of TAT.....she was no good and none since have been stars!!

[Robby nz]

I would imagine that during the PTT years, this case would have been put on the backburner as she was a friend of TS and his bunch.

To state that it's taken almost 3 years to get a case investigated to the degree that it could go to trial, is probably evidence that it had been shelved....no doubt with the intent of nothing happening.

But, she has certainly had plenty of time to dispose of her assets in the event of siezure!

The ex Governor of TAT.....she was no good and none since have been stars!!

Also have to take into consideration that in their anti-corruption crusade PT cut the budget of the NACC, reported to be a 60% cut, that would have slowed down their work somewhat.

[shirtless]

This is why Thailand is a third world country, clean it up and Thailand will progress but its a huge task.

[ramrod711]

Every head of TAT should be convicted of perjury, they all lie about how wonderful the tourism is going to be.

[ezzra]

In a country where you pay many millions to get "elected" and nominated to a coveted post such

as ministerial, police and army positions, no wonder than that they will do their out most to

recover the initial investment, and if any one thing that this is going to disappear, tell them they're

dreaming....

[Tatsujin]

This happened in 2002-2007....

The US arrested and convicted the the US parties back in 2010...

... It is now 2014 (almost 2015) and the NACC is just now deciding to go forward with the case...

Any the take is..... People are asking if the NACC has "sped up the case" in order to proceed before statute of Limitations expires in US in a few months...

I remember when this originally hit the headings 4 years ago, when the US parties were convicted...

Anyone know why these "investigations" take so long?

In the article it says the investigation has been going on form2 years and 11 months... So does that mean in took over a year from the time then US to convict the US folks before the Thai authorities even decided to start an investigation into the issue?

Why do investigations take so long? In this case, just look at which Govt's were in power during most of the period in question, who's friends with who and you'll get part of the answer. The second part of the answer is cash to prolong things as much as possible so that the public forgets and the case can be quietly forgotten about and no prominent or well known Thai's get in trouble, cos that's bad for the rest of them. Simple.

[bangkokfrog]

I don't want to be a cynic, but could this just be a showpiece to avoid extradition pressure from the U.S.A.? People at her level have dirt on people from all sides of the political spectrum and never seem to be held to account. Hope I am wrong !!!

[fritzzz25]

One down, 170,000 more bribe takers to go.

[Pierrefun]

This happened in 2002-2007....

The US arrested and convicted the the US parties back in 2010...

... It is now 2014 (almost 2015) and the NACC is just now deciding to go forward with the case...

Any the take is..... People are asking if the NACC has "sped up the case" in order to proceed before statute of Limitations expires in US in a few months...

I remember when this originally hit the headings 4 years ago, when the US parties were convicted...

Anyone know why these "investigations" take so long?

In the article it says the investigation has been going on form2 years and 11 months... So does that mean in took over a year from the time then US to convict the US folks before the Thai authorities even decided to start an investigation into the issue?

Why do investigations take so long? In this case, just look at which Govt's were in power during most of the period in question, who's friends with who and you'll get part of the answer. The second part of the answer is cash to prolong things as much as possible so that the public forgets and the case can be quietly forgotten about and no prominent or well known Thai's get in trouble, cos that's bad for the rest of them. Simple.

In regards to the USA indictment brought against the mother and daughter criminal duo, it's easy to see which government was in power when the extradition request by the Americans was denied:

November 19, 2012

in a court filing this month, Siriwan said the Thai government has 'formally postponed extradition' and has notified the U.S. of that 'via official channels.'

http://www.fcpablog.com/blog/2012/11/19/siriwan-facing-charges-at-home-asks-for-us-dismissal.html#sthash.6A9YKn66.dpuf

Edited November 13, 2014 by Pierrefun

[Borzandy]

Oh no, not this man, cannot be corrupted...

[tomyummer]

There should be a law that all family members and associates can be prosecuted. Everyone along the money trail should be nabbed.

[GAZZPA]

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has declared that it will file charges against former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Juthamas Siriwan

Long overdue, but at last, movement is made.

Her tainted, but unsurprising, past history:

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appointed Juthamas as TAT governor in 2002 and she held the post until 2006.

She was a controversial figure, even before the film festival scandal.

After the 2004 tsunami that hit Thailand and Southeast Asia, she didn’t win many fans when she declared: "Although we lost many lives and much property in the disaster, the tragic event has brought some good things as it has swept away all the garbage and some parts of the Andaman Sea are the clearest they have been in 20 years."

http://www.thailawforum.com/fcpa-thailand-film-fest-2.html

Goodness me, unbelievable comment post the tragic tsunami,, if you ever needed an official comment to confirm how cheap life is considered here and how little the government cares for peoples lives well,, there it is.

The really sad thing though is I am willing to bet very few Thais would be shocked by that statement.

Anyway, she is getting clobbered for corruption now so lets hope they lock her up for good spell.

[JeremyBowskill]

Finally a TAT headline that can be believed!!!! Wonderful news.

[jcisco]

There should be a law that all family members and associates can be prosecuted. Everyone along the money trail should be nabbed.

Pretty sure the law in most countries even this alleged backwater of justice, that aiding, abetting, conducting, conspiring or otherwise being accessory in a criminal act or material in a criminal act or in assistance of a criminal is a criminal act in of themselves and including any criminal act from which they are derived.

[EnglishJohn]

It's only happening because of pressure from the USA. Thailand had swept it under the carpet : no need to go opening Pandora's box.

[madmitch]

One down, 170,000 more bribe takers to go.

I read somewhere that Thailand has about 240,000 police officers. Are you sure it's only 170,000?

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

1 down, every other politician everywhere else in the world to go.

[Chris Lawrence]

This happened in 2002-2007....

The US arrested and convicted the the US parties back in 2010...

... It is now 2014 (almost 2015) and the NACC is just now deciding to go forward with the case...

Any the take is..... People are asking if the NACC has "sped up the case" in order to proceed before statute of Limitations expires in US in a few months...

I remember when this originally hit the headings 4 years ago, when the US parties were convicted...

Anyone know why these "investigations" take so long?

In the article it says the investigation has been going on form2 years and 11 months... So does that mean in took over a year from the time then US to convict the US folks before the Thai authorities even decided to start an investigation into the issue?

Nepotisim?

What about Thai Tobacco recieving over $1 million in kick backs, all parties in US were tried and convicted? Nothing done to Thai Tobacoo management?

[ratcatcher]

1 down, every other politician everywhere else in the world to go.

Birds of a feather etc.........

Jutamas & Sorayuth

Actually she isn't a politician and neither is he, but big money smells the same to all.

[Robroona]

Correct me if I am wrong, but when the news broke a few years ago, didn't she start threatening to sue anyone who repeated these allegations?

Even though the Americans had all the evidence of bank accounts, addresses etc., all gotten from the guilty parties involved.

No shame

Edited November 13, 2014 by Robroona

[Pierrefun]

Correct me if I am wrong, but when the news broke a few years ago, didn't she start threatening to sue anyone who repeated these allegations?

Even though the Americans had all the evidence of bank accounts, addresses etc., all gotten from the guilty parties involved.

No shame

Former TAT Governor Denies Ever Being TAT Governor

Former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Juthamas Siriwan threatens to sue anyone who claims she was the Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor

http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/pdf/Archive/Soc/soc.culture.thai/2007-12/msg00469.pdf

Edited November 13, 2014 by Pierrefun

[razer]

I think when democracy is restored, there will be amnesty for anyone in prison for bribery & corruption in the name of forgiveness, peace and order. Don't have much faith in the politicians.

[Si Thea01]

"He was asked whether the NACC had sped up the case to meet a March 31, 2015, deadline - after which the US would need to drop proceedings if the Thai government could not bring it to court. Vichai said he would push for the case to be taken up as quickly as possible because of the US's firm stance on corruption."

Speed up the case. Now the real bribes begin.

Do you really think so. The people who initiated the bribes have been convicted in the USA and there is also the involvement of the FBI. Stop your bloody Thai bashing and come to the conclusion that not everyone is crooked in the country.

[Langsuan Man]

Are there any takers to my bet that when they finally get around to it, her lawyer will claim that the statute of limitations has run out ?