Graft buster axes Somsak for unusual wealth

[webfact]

Graft buster axes Somsak for unusual wealth



BANGKOK: -- The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has agreed to indict former education minister Somsak Prisananantakul of unusual wealth after he could not explain the money he spent on building his 16-million baht residence in Ang Thong province.

According to the investigation of the NACC, Somsak’s mansion was constructed at the time he was then education minister under his Chat Thai Pattana party.

The NACC will forward the case to the Office of the Attorney-General to prosecute him in the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders and has the residence confiscated.

NACC secretary general Sansern Poljiak revealed Friday the indictment decision reached by the NACC board at a meeting yesterday.

He said the NACC had summoned Somsak to clarify his 16-million baht residence in Vises Chaicharn district which began construction in 1998 but finished in 2001 at the time when he was deputy and then education minister.

He said Somsak could not clarify the sources of his money clearly, just explaining the money was family money, and money left from election campaign.

But Sansern said investigation by NACC revealed that the money he claimed was not used for the construction.

Besides, he said, Somsak could not find substantial evidence to support his claim and ascertain the NACC to trust his words.

The NACC board then agreed with majority votes to induct him of unusual wealth.

The NACC will forward its decision to the OAG to prosecute him in the Supreme Court to have him punished and the residence confiscated.

(Photo : Thai PBS File)

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/graft-buster-axes-somsak-for-unusual-wealth


-- Thai PBS 2015-05-29

[trogers]

Done in by Thainess...

[NextStationBangkok]

It might cost the state more than 16 million to investigate the graft!

[halloween]

It might cost the state more than 16 million to investigate the graft!

Oh well then. They should stop the investigation immediately. Everybody knows government ministers are corrupt, so what's the point. And why should we prosecute him when everybody else is doing it?

note - post contains sarcasm.

[halloween]

What about his income tax bill?

[lujanit]

Charge him with being corrupt, when convicted confiscate the proceeds of crime and throw him in goal for a very long time. Never going to happen of course.

[The Deerhunter]

It might cost the state more than 16 million to investigate the graft!

Some people complain when these crooks rob the state & taxpayer & then complain again when they get caught. Let 'em all off. Is that then the answer? Right? RIGHT?? Just smile and let the happiness for the average Thai taxpayer continue!

Edited May 29, 2015 by The Deerhunter

[EyesWideOpen]

I have said it before , and I will say it again. I do not believe that there is

a single high ranking government official that could withstand a full

investigation into why they have many million baht on a salary that is

peanuts. Not one........ They would have to throw the entire Thai

government into jail if they investigated everyone. So of course they

will not. So a few sacrificial lambs will be thrown to the wolves, and the

government can pat itself on the back for its " massive" corruption

crackdown... What a joke.

But it make for in interesting development. First off, contact all the major

banks and get a list of all people that have say 10 million baht in accounts.

Then index that list against a list of all government officials and see what

you come up with. Then do the same with property above a certain value,

except this time, index it across not only government officials, but against

all their family members too. While these corrupt dirt bags cannot figure

out off shore banking, they do know how to hide assets in the names of

relatives.Then again do the same thing for shares of companies held in

the Thai stock market.

So you are shown to hold 100 million baht in accounts, and your salary

is 50,000 baht a month, time to be called in for some " splaining " ( reference

to I Love Lucy show). First to be called in would Plodrasop, and then

Chalerm.....and then.......and then......

[tomacht8]

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has agreed to indict former education minister Somsak Prisananantakul of unusual wealth after he could not explain the money he spent on building his 16-million baht residence in Ang Thong province.

He said Somsak could not clarify the sources of his money clearly, just explaining the money was family money, and money left from election campaign.

If the sources of the funds can not be unequivocally assigned, then confiscating.
Then certainly the money doesn´t belongs to him.

Many more to go, but this is the best way to fight against corruption, money laundering and black drug money.

[The Deerhunter]

I have said it before , and I will say it again. I do not believe that there is

a single high ranking government official that could withstand a full

investigation into why they have many million baht on a salary that is

peanuts. Not one........ They would have to throw the entire Thai

government into jail if they investigated everyone. So of course they

will not. So a few sacrificial lambs will be thrown to the wolves, and the

government can pat itself on the back for its " massive" corruption

crackdown... What a joke.

But it make for in interesting development. First off, contact all the major

banks and get a list of all people that have say 10 million baht in accounts.

Then index that list against a list of all government officials and see what

you come up with. Then do the same with property above a certain value,

except this time, index it across not only government officials, but against

all their family members too. While these corrupt dirt bags cannot figure

out off shore banking, they do know how to hide assets in the names of

relatives.Then again do the same thing for shares of companies held in

the Thai stock market.

So you are shown to hold 100 million baht in accounts, and your salary

is 50,000 baht a month, time to be called in for some " splaining " ( reference

to I Love Lucy show). First to be called in would Plodrasop, and then

Chalerm.....and then.......and then......

Maybe he is just doing what you say. But as they are never going to get them all and the nation could not afford the prisons, anyway, let us be grateful for the ones they do get.

Some of the these guys have robbed so blindly & so obviously that they are doing the less greedy or slightly smarter ones a great service. 1. They deserve to be made an example of and, 2. It might make some of the more nervous corrupt thieves reduce their activities out of fear for their own sins being discovered. So they are never going to get them all. Let us be glad to see the glorious demolition of some of the really stupid, really greedy ones. Let the others shiver in their shoes even if they do not get caught............................ yet!

[Orac]

What exactly have the 'axed' him from as per the headline - he doesn't appear to be doing anything at the moment and the charges related to something that happened 15 years ago.

[Prbkk]

Not saying it isn't deserved but when will we see some REAL unusual wealth challenged, rather than low-level chickenfeed? The measure of this govt will be how many USD multi-millionaires and billionaires, who acquired some or all of their wealth through: graft, kickbacks, payola, cartels, price-fixing, gouging, profiteering, get taken to court.

[smedly]

I have said it before , and I will say it again. I do not believe that there is

a single high ranking government official that could withstand a full

investigation into why they have many million baht on a salary that is

peanuts. Not one........ They would have to throw the entire Thai

government into jail if they investigated everyone. So of course they

will not. So a few sacrificial lambs will be thrown to the wolves, and the

government can pat itself on the back for its " massive" corruption

crackdown... What a joke.

But it make for in interesting development. First off, contact all the major

banks and get a list of all people that have say 10 million baht in accounts.

Then index that list against a list of all government officials and see what

you come up with. Then do the same with property above a certain value,

except this time, index it across not only government officials, but against

all their family members too. While these corrupt dirt bags cannot figure

out off shore banking, they do know how to hide assets in the names of

relatives.Then again do the same thing for shares of companies held in

the Thai stock market.

So you are shown to hold 100 million baht in accounts, and your salary

is 50,000 baht a month, time to be called in for some " splaining " ( reference

to I Love Lucy show). First to be called in would Plodrasop, and then

Chalerm.....and then.......and then......

although I agree - the fundamental flaw in your thinking is the assumption that the money earned from graft is lodged in a bank account, Polpot or what ever his name was the ex CDI Chief who is now in Jail had all his graft money either in stacked cash in the basement - gold or valuable items which all accumulated to billions, there was never a mention of bank accounts, he also had many properties all registered under other peoples names.

There is also a financially unregulated organisation which has recently been in the news on a regular basis associated with handling large amounts of money connect to various embezzlement investigations, personally I believe this particular group are up to their necks in laundering dirty money, there is no organisation or group in Thailand that should be allowed to operate without proper legal taxation and financial accountability, if they have nothing to hide them open the books for all to see

The guy in the OP was stupid enough to buy a property in his own name which although probably border line did draw enough attention to himself to raise some questions that he couldn't answer

If any of you actually believe the asset declarations of MP's and various officials then you are extremely naïve, they will only get caught through stupidity or by accident

Edited May 29, 2015 by smedly

[Rhys]

If he has southern roots, then that was alot of juto can amulets the students' families had to buy..

[halloween]

Not saying it isn't deserved but when will we see some REAL unusual wealth challenged, rather than low-level chickenfeed? The measure of this govt will be how many USD multi-millionaires and billionaires, who acquired some or all of their wealth through: graft, kickbacks, payola, cartels, price-fixing, gouging, profiteering, get taken to court.

You're talking about Thaksin, right?

[JOC]

What exactly have the 'axed' him from as per the headline - he doesn't appear to be doing anything at the moment and the charges related to something that happened 15 years ago.

Maybe, just maybe it has something to do with politics...............

Mr P " I am not biased"...........

[Tatsujin]

Not saying it isn't deserved but when will we see some REAL unusual wealth challenged, rather than low-level chickenfeed? The measure of this govt will be how many USD multi-millionaires and billionaires, who acquired some or all of their wealth through: graft, kickbacks, payola, cartels, price-fixing, gouging, profiteering, get taken to court.

You're talking about Thaksin, right?

Along with any other privately owned big business here in Thailand ... I'm sure you can think of a few.

[halloween]

What exactly have the 'axed' him from as per the headline - he doesn't appear to be doing anything at the moment and the charges related to something that happened 15 years ago.

Maybe, just maybe it has something to do with politics...............

Mr P " I am not biased"...........

Can you give us any other examples of his bias against Chart Thai? Can you think of a reason why the case shouldn't proceed?

Edited May 29, 2015 by halloween

[Tatsujin]

What exactly have the 'axed' him from as per the headline - he doesn't appear to be doing anything at the moment and the charges related to something that happened 15 years ago.

He's another potential leader of PTP and potential future PM-substitute that's being taken out of the race before it starts. Oak's not old enough yet and doesn't have the brains for it anyway.

[maidee]

sure he will find a way to get out of this

his driver or maid ownes it or they lend him the money ?

[Gandtee]

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has agreed to indict former education minister Somsak Prisananantakul of unusual wealth after he could not explain the money he spent on building his 16-million baht residence in Ang Thong province.

He said Somsak could not clarify the sources of his money clearly, just explaining the money was family money, and money left from election campaign.

If the sources of the funds can not be unequivocally assigned, then confiscating.

Then certainly the money doesn´t belongs to him.

Many more to go, but this is the best way to fight against corruption, money laundering and black drug money.

But if it was obtained dishonestly take him to court and try him. Confiscation is like a mosquito bite to the wealthy.

[Local Drunk]

Not saying it isn't deserved but when will we see some REAL unusual wealth challenged, rather than low-level chickenfeed? The measure of this govt will be how many USD multi-millionaires and billionaires, who acquired some or all of their wealth through: graft, kickbacks, payola, cartels, price-fixing, gouging, profiteering, get taken to court.

You've got that right, but considering the news of a few days old regarding Thai students IQ... I'd say it's good timing. Thailand pours money into education and you see what it gets a few.

Edited May 29, 2015 by Local Drunk

[Oziex1]

Why didn't he say he married a rich woman. It has worked for some.

[Artisi]

It might cost the state more than 16 million to investigate the graft!

Oh well then. They should stop the investigation immediately. Everybody knows government ministers are corrupt, so what's the point. And why should we prosecute him when everybody else is doing it?

note - post contains sarcasm.

Could you please point-out the sarcasm, I though you were spot-on ???

[h90]

What about his income tax bill?

income tax is only for the middle class

[ResandePohm]

Charge him with being corrupt, when convicted confiscate the proceeds of crime and throw him in goal for a very long time. Never going to happen of course.

Wont happen because he doesn't play football. No experience to stay in goal for a very long time.

[welshissan]

Not saying it isn't deserved but when will we see some REAL unusual wealth challenged, rather than low-level chickenfeed? The measure of this govt will be how many USD multi-millionaires and billionaires, who acquired some or all of their wealth through: graft, kickbacks, payola, cartels, price-fixing, gouging, profiteering, get taken to court.

You're talking about Thaksin, right!

Nice new avatar, I like it.

But shouldn't it be more yellow or even khaki? LOL

Have a nice evening and long weekend

[NickJ]

He will need a lot of more unusual wealth if he wants to not see his house auctioned off........

[sweatalot]

What exactly have the 'axed' him from as per the headline - he doesn't appear to be doing anything at the moment and the charges related to something that happened 15 years ago.

Maybe, just maybe it has something to do with politics...............

Mr P " I am not biased"...........

So if they get a criminal who happens to be from another political party

- then it's politics, not crime?

So criminals from the political opposition cannot be persecuted because it would be political?

And if there are more from one political side than from the other - may be it has to do with their politics? Or with the ethics of this party?

Better they eliminate criminals from one side then they do nothing -result is less criminals and that's good, isn't it?

[elgordo38]

Not saying it isn't deserved but when will we see some REAL unusual wealth challenged, rather than low-level chickenfeed? The measure of this govt will be how many USD multi-millionaires and billionaires, who acquired some or all of their wealth through: graft, kickbacks, payola, cartels, price-fixing, gouging, profiteering, get taken to court.

You could do this world wide and still come up short.