Police hunt one of Thailand's richest men in police graft scandal

[webfact]

Police hunt one of Thailand's richest men in police graft scandal
Bangkok, Thailand | AFP |

BANGKOK: -- Thai police on Wednesday said they are hunting one of the kingdom's richest men as part of a sprawling graft probe that has rocked the country's elite.

Energy tycoon Nopporn Suppipat is the latest high-profile figure to fall foul of the ever-widening corruption scandal, which has already snared several top cops and saw the family of a Thai princess stripped of their honorific title.

"The military court approved his arrest warrant on December 1 on charges of lese majeste and illegal detention," Lieutenant General Prawut Thavornsiri told AFP.

Nopporn was ranked Thailand's 31st richest man in 2013 by Forbes magazine, with an estimated fortune of $800 million, and is thought to be on the run.

He is alleged to have hired men to abduct a businessman in Bangkok in order to have a debt he owed relieved, the police spokesman added.

US-educated Nopporn, reported to be in his early 40s, is the founder of Wind Energy Holdings, which operates lucrative wind power plants.

"It is likely he has fled Thailand," the spokesman said, adding police are mulling warrants for two more people over the corruption case.

Twenty-two people have been arrested so far in a case that has cast light on graft at the highest echelons of the force as the junta-backed police chief trumpets an apparently fearless anti-corruption crusade.

The graft case exploded at the end of November when three senior officers -- including the head of the elite Central Investigation Bureau -- were arrested on a string of bribery charges.

Some of those detained were also charged with lese majeste, with police saying they had made "false claims" about a royal to justify committing crimes that allegedly ranged from running illegal casinos to oil smuggling, kidnapping and extortion.

Thailand's monarchy is protected by strict lese majeste laws. Both local and international media must heavily self-censor when covering the country's royal family.

Under section 112 of Thailand's criminal code anyone convicted of defaming, insulting or threatening the king, queen, heir or regent faces up to 15 years in prison on each count.

Even repeating details of the charges could mean breaking the law.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-12-03

[steven100]

At first I thought the story was about Thaksin Shinawat ........

anyway, they could try the Bahamas ....

[Always18]

Trouble is that this so-called "crackdown on corruption" has many different layers..............the most important of which can only be appreciated by reading foreign media as those publishing the truth online are being blocked by the junta here in LOS for fear of the Thai populace suddenly understanding what it's all about.

Research is your friend when being fed a daily diet of BS........................

[metisdead]

A post trying to divert into dangerous territory has been removed.

[Boxclever]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

[draftvader]

I do hope that the Junta understands the concept of "smoking out" and is monitoring all the correct exits from the maze of burrows that these people have constructed over the years.

[GinBoy2]

Trouble with this whole story is, it always leads down roads which are totally off limits to any discussion here in Thailand and without that perspective everything else is pretty meaningless drivel. Then again meaningless drivel is the staple diet of many on here.

[DaffyDuck]

Then again meaningless drivel is the staple diet of many on here.

+1

[bapoboy]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

hope not thailand become like the West where the government takes from us all personal freedom, people are being brainwashed home.

"for your own safety" Usually Means so we can control you.

[Loles]

Thanks for the next show business.

Hunt, hunt of course BUT my I tell you the result in advance ?

[Commerce]

"is the latest high-profile figure to fall foul of the ever-widening corruption scandal, which has already...saw the family of a Thai princess stripped of their honorific title."

Pongpat had to go for medical tests and found to be under a lot of pressure; thus, it must be difficult being in a high position with certain younger members of the family running amok!

[mojorison]

His business ventures look interesting... wonder if any are tied to this little gem...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/287096-huge-koh-tao-wind-turbine-has-started-being-built/

[halloween]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

It is their bad luck that being "high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government" no longer excuses their criminality. Their "Get Out of Jail Free" cards have been cancelled despite their hefty donations - so sad.

I'm not sure how this relates to democracy and freedom, except for the possibility of extended incarceration.

[JOC]

.>> which has already snared several top cops and saw the family of a Thai princess stripped of their honorific title.<<Quote

Interesting choice of words!!

[metisdead]

Please read the following very carefully:

Any discussion of the Thai Monarchy or members of the royal family in a political context will result in a ban. This includes vague comments that could be construed as referring to the Thai Monarchy.

Those rules can be found here: NOTICE TO MEMBERS POSTING IN THAILAND NEWS

PLEASE NOTE:

Also as per forum rule 1:

1) You will not express disrespect of the King of Thailand or any one member of the Thai Royal family, whether living or deceased, nor to criticize the monarchy as an institution.

By law, the Thai Royal Family are above politics. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family.

Discussion of the Lese Majeste law or Lese Majeste cases is permitted on the forum, providing no comment or speculation is made referencing the royal family.

To breach these rules may result in immediate ban.

Linking to or even referencing external sites which break these rules will be treated as if you yourself posted them.

Recommended link: Thailand's lese majeste laws explained

Forum rules: http://www.thaivisa....tion=boardrules

Thanks for your understanding.

Thaivisa Admin Team

[arrowsdawdle]

At first I thought the story was about Thaksin Shinawat ........

anyway, they could try the Bahamas ....

That's a good point. Are these elites being arrested and pursued affiliated with all political parties or are they affiliated with Thaksin's group?

[Bakseeda]

.>> which has already snared several top cops and saw the family of a Thai princess stripped of their honorific title.<<Quote

Interesting choice of words!!

And pray tell us JOC...... what words would you have used....... come on... give us all a laugh..!

[MonkeySeeMonkeyDo]

Understood. Thanks

Shall we talk about the weather today. Turned out nice again.

[Briggsy]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

hope not thailand become like the West where the government takes from us all personal freedom, people are being brainwashed home.

"for your own safety" Usually Means so we can control you.

Thank you for providing a great example of what was accurately described in post #8.

[ianf]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

Not at all. There was no democracy under Thaksin. End of story.

[Commerce]

At first I thought the story was about Thaksin Shinawat ........

anyway, they could try the Bahamas ....

That's a good point. Are these elites being arrested and pursued affiliated with all political parties or are they affiliated with Thaksin's group?

You may just find they are not affiliated with Thaksin's group at all. If you care to read about a lady of current title, mentioned in the OP, you may just get an idea of an affiliation.

[ramrod711]

"It is likely he has fled Thailand," the spokesman said, adding police are mulling warrants for two more people over the corruption case.

"It is likely he has fled Thailand" Doesn't everybody? If I had $800 million, I would flee Thailand.

[ezzra]

Apparently he became rich by owing big sums to people and than sending some tough guys

no "negotiate" the debt down by 80%... oh well, one way to amass $800 Millions..

[firestar]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

Not at all. There was no democracy under Thaksin. End of story.

Much more to the story. Unfortunately see post #8.

[Benmart]

A Thai matter best left to Thais to resolve. I watch in silence.

[whiteman]

There are more and more radio stations in Thai that now broadcast from over seas run by phd people that got there degrees from over seas and did not buy them.

Giving a full break down of this events and many more that all seem to lead back to ??????

But more and more Thais are tuning in to these stations both red and yellow followers. Theses stations can not be censord.

Just like the internet the massers are now getttng more informed and removing there blinkers.

The young Thai generation is now questioning and is reading between the lines it takes time but they will get there. It is called democracy

[Iumentum]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

hope not thailand become like the West where the government takes from us all personal freedom, people are being brainwashed home.

"for your own safety" Usually Means so we can control you.

I hope that was sarcasm.... i am not saying this doesn't happen in western contries but.....

[templedog]

"It is likely he has fled Thailand," the spokesman said, adding police are mulling warrants for two more people over the corruption case.

"It is likely he has fled Thailand" Doesn't everybody? If I had $800 million, I would flee Thailand.

I would, too. But consider that a Thai multimillionaire would more than likely only get the power rush in Thailand.

I mean, if he were trying to break the law in The USA, say murder, he more than likely would not get away with it, no matter the bribe.

Here, he rules everything and gets away with everything. Abroad, he is just filthy rich, which isn't the complete package.

Scumbags like him need the power over others, too.

[gemini81]

Apparently he became rich by owing big sums to people and than sending some tough guys

no "negotiate" the debt down by 80%... oh well, one way to amass $800 Millions..

Not exactly... wish we could chat it being a forum, but.... we can't.

[eddie61]

Nothing more than a witch hunt for any high profile supporters of the previously democratically elected government. The Junta will do anything to snuff out democracy and freedom.

hope not thailand become like the West where the government takes from us all personal freedom, people are being brainwashed home.

"for your own safety" Usually Means so we can control you.

well your brain has been washed squeeky clean before you arrived