Thailand's NACC seeks life ban for false asset filings

[webfact]

NACC seeks life ban for false asset filings
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission is seeking a lifetime - instead of a five-year - ban for politicians filing a false financial declaration.

Sansern Poljiak, secretary-general of the NACC, said yesterday that Provision 12 is one of 28 in the draft bill that would come up for first reading in the National Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

The provision states that if the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office finds politicians guilty of reporting false assets or debts or failing to report their assets from holding political posts in regard to their declarations as required by law, they would be deprived of their right to hold political posts for the rest of their life.

Provision 19 shuts a loophole in the law that allows suspects to flee the country and return after their statute of limitations expires.

The provision states that the period of time that suspects escape prosecution would not be counted.

"This way, if they do not want to face prosecution and want to escape the arm of the law, they must run for all their life,'' he said.

Provision 18 seeks to give NACC operatives the same enforcement authority as police officers to apprehend suspects when they fail to report by the time given in a summons or they are wanted under a court-approved arrest warrant.

Now the NACC has to depend on police to go after suspects.

"Many times we know the whereabouts of the suspects but we do not have the power to arrest them, as we have to coordinate with police. This is a loophole that enables suspects to escape,'' he said.

The bill would let NACC agents carry firearms when making arrests and also receive the same self-defence and weapons-shooting training that the police get at the Police Academy.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NACC-seeks-life-ban-for-false-asset-filings-30248410.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-24

[thesetat2013]

They should all be banned for life for vote-buying and abusing their positions for personal or political gain and for any criminal behavior if it is proven they are associated with it.

[StealthEnergiser]

Stronger rules should include prosecuting police for not doing there duty of reigning these people in.

[whybother]

Life time ban: Excellent idea.

Carrying guns: Not such a good idea. Make the police do their jobs.

[jdinasia]

If the law is only about political office holders and non violent crime then I agree with getting rid of the statute of limitations.

Lifetime bans makes sense as well.

[jdinasia]

Life time ban: Excellent idea.

Carrying guns: Not such a good idea. Make the police do their jobs.

Having a separate force for arresting suspects in criminal proceedings makes sense. Trying to arrest local political bosses using local police?

[harada]

This would narrow things down a bit IF it were to be enforced.

[aussieinthailand]

So who were the guy's that protested and declined to give their list of assets???????

seems to be a Good for others but not good for me situation going on here, but hey TIT.....

we are all equal, some are more equal than others.

[whybother]

So who were the guy's that protested and declined to give their list of assets???????

seems to be a Good for others but not good for me situation going on here, but hey TIT.....

we are all equal, some are more equal than others.

They all declared their assets ... in the end.

[worgeordie]

So saying "it was an honest mistake", wont be allowed anymore.

regards Worgeordie

[WitawatWatawit]

Let's hope that in the interests of fairness, proper criminal charges are laid and convictions brought down before assets are seized, unlike in America. Also, when assets are seized, they should be thoroughly vetted and audited. It seems that when assets are seized, there is no proper scrutiny to decide whether additional criminal charges can be laid if those assets are deemed to have been acquired by illegal means. They are simply seized, and that's the end of it.

[whybother]

Let's hope that in the interests of fairness, proper criminal charges are laid and convictions brought down before assets are seized, unlike in America. Also, when assets are seized, they should be thoroughly vetted and audited. It seems that when assets are seized, there is no proper scrutiny to decide whether additional criminal charges can be laid if those assets are deemed to have been acquired by illegal means. They are simply seized, and that's the end of it.

I don't think they're talking about seizing any assets.

[JOC]

The actual numbers in the asset fillings are not that interesting, but it must be of public interest to know how the amazing wealth of some politicians and highranking officials are achieved!!

I for one would like a little digging into the National Chief of Police Mr Somyot's economic affairs!!

[hanuman2543]

Does that include the current members of the NLA?

[JOC]

>>The bill would let NACC agents carry firearms when making arrests and also receive the same self-defence and weapons-shooting training that the police get at the Police Academy.<<Quote

So the supposedly good guy's, the NACC agents, are going to learn how handle weopons by Chalerm son, who got away with murder and became a shooting-instructor at the Police Academy!!

Only in Thailand!! Who need fiction, when living in Thai reality??

[JOC]

>>."Many times we know the whereabouts of the suspects but we do not have the power to arrest them, as we have to coordinate with police. This is a loophole that enables suspects to escape,'' he said.<< Quote

Clearly Thaivisa-posters are not the only ones with no confidence in the RTP!!

"As we have to coordinate with police, this is a loophole that enables the suspects to escape"

Maybe the NACC should have a look at the RTP for starters??

[JOC]

They should all be banned for life for vote-buying and abusing their positions for personal or political gain and for any criminal behavior if it is proven they are associated with it.

But that would leave the Government House empty!!

[h90]

They should all be banned for life for vote-buying and abusing their positions for personal or political gain and for any criminal behavior if it is proven they are associated with it.

No for vote buying, the buyer should get a jail term and his and his family assets (unless it can be proof that this assets aren't his) should be seized.

The vote seller should be stripped of voting rights for life and should pay 10x what he received.

[Fab5BKK]

BUT, with offshore bank accounts, offshore companies, tax havens, nominees, trusts, etc. it'll change very little...

[RustBucket]

How about 10 years in prison which will automatically mean they can't run as a candidate in the future.

[Boxclever]

"NACC agents carry firearms"...NACC Gestapo??

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

Yes, a lifetime ban and a 700 baht fine just to throw some salt on that wound!!! How about full prosecution with proper jail time like all criminal deserve!!!

[ramrod711]

This would narrow things down a bit IF it were to be enforced.

I agree, the first thing that crossed my mind was "what politician is going to vote for this". They won't even force the people in the NLA to reveal their assets, never mind tell the truth about them.

[outsider]

Doesn't make sense. Definitely NOT sustainable. There will be no more politicians in Thailand then... no?

[seajae]

and make it retrospective, that would remove a lot of the scum

[Ulic]

Have asset whistle blowers get 20% of the amount over what was declared. Ban the politicians or police for life.

[jdinasia]

This would narrow things down a bit IF it were to be enforced.

I agree, the first thing that crossed my mind was "what politician is going to vote for this". They won't even force the people in the NLA to reveal their assets, never mind tell the truth about them.

I think you will find that the NLA did.