Thaksin Forgot 50 Billion Baht In Thai Banks

[george]

Please leave my family alone, pleads Thaksin

Ousted PM seeks privacy for wife and two children still living in Bangkok

LONDON: -- Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has taken refuge in London, appealed late on Thursday for privacy for his family, as his wife and two of their children are still in Bangkok to look after the family's many assets.

Pojaman Shinawatra has been seen in Bangkok since her husband was toppled by a military coup on Tuesday. Panthongtae, the family's eldest child, and Paetongtarn, the younger daughter, are staying with her at their Chan Song Lah residence in Bangplad, Thon Buri.

A tight-lipped Thaksin had little to say to reporters waiting outside the London apartment where he has holed up since arriving on Wednesday from New York, where he tried to stage a counter coup, according to Agence France-Presse.

Asked what his plans were, he replied simply: "Stay with my daughter, that's it" - a reference to Pinthongta, with whom he had earlier been seen near the Dorchester Hotel, haunt of the visiting rich and famous.

"I say nothing except please leave my family [alone]," he added.

It is not known why Pojaman and the two children have not flown over to London to reunite with Thaksin.

However, it is an open secret in the capital that the Shinawatra family still keeps some Bt50 billion from the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore in Thai banks, including Siam Commercial Bank, Bangkok Bank and Thanachart Bank.

Pojaman has apparently stayed on in Bangkok to look after the family's assets in Thaksin's absence. He husband cannot return home for fear of being taken into custody by the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM), which organised the coup.

Bank of Thailand Governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said yesterday the central bank had not moved to freeze any assets of the Shinawatra family.

"We haven't frozen any assets because we don't have the authority to do so. And no one has ordered us to do so. We can freeze assets only when instructed by the authorities," he said.

One of the CDRM's priorities is to organise a new National Counter Corruption Commission - to which the coup-makers yesterday appointed nine members - to go after the assets of unusually rich politicians in the Thaksin government.

Pridiyathorn confirmed that the Shinawatra family's Bt50 billion in proceeds arising from the sale of Shin Corp shares remained in the country.

"I estimate that no large amount of Thai baht has been converted into overseas currencies. However, I don't know whether the money could have been packed in suitcases and taken abroad because the Immigration Bureau is responsible for this matter," he said.

On Tuesday, when the CDRM launched its coup, Pojaman hid at a safe house in the Phaholyothin area of Bangkok. After that she reportedly returned to her Chan Song Lah residence, where she was joined by Panthongtae and Paetongtarn.

There were early reports saying that Pojaman had flown to Singapore and was preparing to fly on to London to meet her husband and Pinthongta.

Paetongtarn will be taking an exam at Chulalongkorn University's Political Science Faculty on Monday. Panthongtae still lives a normal life, going to work at his How Come Company.

Police and military personnel have provided tight security for the Shinawatra family, deploying guards along Soi Charansanitwong 69, where they have their residence.

While his family is being monitored by Thai security guards, Thaksin has also recruited guards from the MI5 intelligence service in London.

According to a report on the web site www.thaiinsider.com, which is owned by the UK-based Oriental Mart Group chief executive officer Ekkeyuth Anchanbutr, Thaksin is now staying at 55 Park Lane, London W1, which belongs to his close friend, Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Thaksin has not gone to his own flat in the plush London suburb of Kensington, where his daughter Pinthongta lived while studying in London.

The website, which had a special reporter monitoring Thaksin's movements, said the deposed PM had asked MI5 to temporarily provide him with security. Thaksin reasoned that he had no confidence in his safety since being overthrown.

Earlier Thaksin issued a statement confirming he was bowing out of politics - to take a "deserved rest" - and calling for early elections and "national reconciliation" in his homeland.

Meanwhile, Thaksin's brother Payap Shinawatra was briefly under military custody yesterday. When Payap landed in Chiang Mai from a flight from Bangkok, he was escorted by the military and detained at a military camp. He was released shortly thereafter.

Thaksin's younger sisters - Yaowapa Wongsawat, Yaowaret Shinawatra and Yinglak Shinawatra - are believed to have fled abroad.

--The Nation 2006-09-23

[Maizefarmer]

Please leave my family alone, pleads Thaksin

Ousted PM seeks privacy for wife and two children still living in Bangkok

LONDON: -- Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has taken refuge in London, appealed late on Thursday for privacy for his family, as his wife and two of their children are still in Bangkok to look after the family's many assets.

Pojaman Shinawatra has been seen in Bangkok since her husband was toppled by a military coup on Tuesday. Panthongtae, the family's eldest child, and Paetongtarn, the younger daughter, are staying with her at their Chan Song Lah residence in Bangplad, Thon Buri.

A tight-lipped Thaksin had little to say to reporters waiting outside the London apartment where he has holed up since arriving on Wednesday from New York, where he tried to stage a counter coup, according to Agence France-Presse.

Asked what his plans were, he replied simply: "Stay with my daughter, that's it" - a reference to Pinthongta, with whom he had earlier been seen near the Dorchester Hotel, haunt of the visiting rich and famous.

"I say nothing except please leave my family [alone]," he added.

It is not known why Pojaman and the two children have not flown over to London to reunite with Thaksin.

However, it is an open secret in the capital that the Shinawatra family still keeps some Bt50 billion from the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore in Thai banks, including Siam Commercial Bank, Bangkok Bank and Thanachart Bank.

Pojaman has apparently stayed on in Bangkok to look after the family's assets in Thaksin's absence. He husband cannot return home for fear of being taken into custody by the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM), which organised the coup.

Bank of Thailand Governor MR Pridiyathorn Devakula said yesterday the central bank had not moved to freeze any assets of the Shinawatra family.

"We haven't frozen any assets because we don't have the authority to do so. And no one has ordered us to do so. We can freeze assets only when instructed by the authorities," he said.

One of the CDRM's priorities is to organise a new National Counter Corruption Commission - to which the coup-makers yesterday appointed nine members - to go after the assets of unusually rich politicians in the Thaksin government.

Pridiyathorn confirmed that the Shinawatra family's Bt50 billion in proceeds arising from the sale of Shin Corp shares remained in the country.

"I estimate that no large amount of Thai baht has been converted into overseas currencies. However, I don't know whether the money could have been packed in suitcases and taken abroad because the Immigration Bureau is responsible for this matter," he said.

On Tuesday, when the CDRM launched its coup, Pojaman hid at a safe house in the Phaholyothin area of Bangkok. After that she reportedly returned to her Chan Song Lah residence, where she was joined by Panthongtae and Paetongtarn.

There were early reports saying that Pojaman had flown to Singapore and was preparing to fly on to London to meet her husband and Pinthongta.

Paetongtarn will be taking an exam at Chulalongkorn University's Political Science Faculty on Monday. Panthongtae still lives a normal life, going to work at his How Come Company.

Police and military personnel have provided tight security for the Shinawatra family, deploying guards along Soi Charansanitwong 69, where they have their residence.

While his family is being monitored by Thai security guards, Thaksin has also recruited guards from the MI5 intelligence service in London.

According to a report on the web site www.thaiinsider.com, which is owned by the UK-based Oriental Mart Group chief executive officer Ekkeyuth Anchanbutr, Thaksin is now staying at 55 Park Lane, London W1, which belongs to his close friend, Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Thaksin has not gone to his own flat in the plush London suburb of Kensington, where his daughter Pinthongta lived while studying in London.

The website, which had a special reporter monitoring Thaksin's movements, said the deposed PM had asked MI5 to temporarily provide him with security. Thaksin reasoned that he had no confidence in his safety since being overthrown.

Earlier Thaksin issued a statement confirming he was bowing out of politics - to take a "deserved rest" - and calling for early elections and "national reconciliation" in his homeland.

Meanwhile, Thaksin's brother Payap Shinawatra was briefly under military custody yesterday. When Payap landed in Chiang Mai from a flight from Bangkok, he was escorted by the military and detained at a military camp. He was released shortly thereafter.

Thaksin's younger sisters - Yaowapa Wongsawat, Yaowaret Shinawatra and Yinglak Shinawatra - are believed to have fled abroad.

--The Nation 2006-09-23

Thaiinsider.com has an agenda - and its a) not nuetral nots always very accurate - I often wonder whether thats deliberate baring in mind who runs it and it's objectives.

Very little (if any) of Thaksins wealth is kep to Thailand - let alone Bangkok - ask Jardine Fleming in Hong Kong - they know all about where Mr T has his personal assets structered - and it aint in Thai Baht or in Thailand.

Thaksin had asked MI5 for protection in the UK: - MI5 have nothing to do with diplomatic protection in the UK. He would have had ZERO contact with them.

There is a well outlined procedure for all visiting heads of state/royalty ect to follow if they feel their safety is an issue, and it involves talking to their appointed FO liason officer who will discuss the matter with the Met, under which SO14 falls - the section charged with protecting diplomats and foreign heads of state.

snip - Admin2

Tim

[egeefay]

One of the CDRM's priorities is to organise a new National Counter Corruption Commission - to which the coup-makers yesterday appointed nine members - to go after the assets of unusually rich politicians in the Thaksin government.

I think a counter Corruption Commission that only looks only at the assets of the people who served under Thaksin is not going far enough.

Thailand has had a long and rich culture of corruption...from the Prime minister all the way down to the lowly government official.

Unless Thailand gets serious about prosecuting rampant corruption up and down the system, the Corruption Commission will be of little use.

A legitimate Corruption Commission would also look into the assets of ALL politicians and government servants.

[tartempion]

So Pojaman fled to Singapore the night of the coup was sand in our eyes?

Someone is lying and distributing false information.

Not surprisingly, but we all believe what is posted here

Edited September 22, 2006 by tartempion

[astral]

I guess his son Phayup will have to pay up.

[astral]

Thaksin had asked MI5 for protection in the UK: - MI5 have nothing to do with diplomatic protection in the UK. He would have had ZERO contact with them.

There is a well outlined procedure for all visiting heads of state/royalty ect to follow if they feel their safety is an issue, and it involves talking to their appointed FO liason officer who will discuss the matter with the Met, under which SO14 falls - the section charged with protecting diplomats and foreign heads of state.

snip - Admin2

Tim

Thaksin is no longer a diplomat or a Head of State.

[jdinasia]

Thaksin had asked MI5 for protection in the UK: - MI5 have nothing to do with diplomatic protection in the UK. He would have had ZERO contact with them.

There is a well outlined procedure for all visiting heads of state/royalty ect to follow if they feel their safety is an issue, and it involves talking to their appointed FO liason officer who will discuss the matter with the Met, under which SO14 falls - the section charged with protecting diplomats and foreign heads of state.

snip - Admin2

Tim

Thaksin is no longer a diplomat or a Head of State.

Thaksin has NEVER been Head of State

[geoffphuket]

"I estimate that no large amount of Thai baht has been converted into overseas currencies. However, I don't know whether the money could have been packed in suitcases and taken abroad because the Immigration Bureau is responsible for this matter," he said.

I wonder what exchange rate Thomas Cook would give him for 50 Billion Baht

[newworks]

So Pojaman fled to Singapore the night of the coup was sand in our eyes?

Someone is lying and distributing false information.

Not surprisingly, but we all believe what is posted here

thank god someone has the cojones to say that.

[dave111223]

"I estimate that no large amount of Thai baht has been converted into overseas currencies. However, I don't know whether the money could have been packed in suitcases and taken abroad because the Immigration Bureau is responsible for this matter," he said.

I wonder what exchange rate Thomas Cook would give him for 50 Billion Baht

[Thaising]

I guess his son Phayup will have to pay up.

Dear Astral, Phayup Shinawatra is Thaksin brother and not his son. He is now in Chiang Mai holding his head what's going to come next.

[john b good]

So Pojaman fled to Singapore the night of the coup was sand in our eyes?

Someone is lying and distributing false information.

Not surprisingly, but we all believe what is posted here

"Someone is lying and distributing false information"

Nothing should surprise you here (in this country) I haven't been here as long as some who contribute to the forum however I have been here long enough to know that unless you see something with your very own eyes it cannot be taken as gospel.

And even if you do see it it could be an optical illusion.

AND, by this I am not questioning the veracity of what George (and company) write or add in, as it is most often copied verbatim from external sources.

[quikia]

It is not known why Pojaman and the two children have not flown over to London to reunite with Thaksin.

Maybe, they are Thais!

And they trust the Thais

And maybe they are innocent

And maybe they are not compliant!

It is indeed a refreshing air that is sweeping the forums to see and feel English speaking and writing Thais, do so

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin had asked MI5 for protection in the UK: - MI5 have nothing to do with diplomatic protection in the UK. He would have had ZERO contact with them.

There is a well outlined procedure for all visiting heads of state/royalty ect to follow if they feel their safety is an issue, and it involves talking to their appointed FO liason officer who will discuss the matter with the Met, under which SO14 falls - the section charged with protecting diplomats and foreign heads of state.

snip - Admin2

Tim

Thaksin is no longer a diplomat or a Head of State.

Thaksin has NEVER been Head of State

He should have quite while he was ahead. Even with a hidden fortune, he's now worth no more that a head of cabbage.

It is not known why Pojaman and the two children have not flown over to London to reunite with Thaksin.

Maybe, they are Thais!

And they trust the Thais

And maybe they are innocent

And maybe they are not compliant!

It is indeed a refreshing air that is sweeping the forums to see and feel English speaking and writing Thais, do so

You think they can leave the country? No. You think they are innocent when she was running TRT meetings and feeding it money as an investment? No. The young ones involved in the Shin sale innocent? No.

Edited September 23, 2006 by Tony Clifton

[Maizefarmer]

Thaksin had asked MI5 for protection in the UK: - MI5 have nothing to do with diplomatic protection in the UK. He would have had ZERO contact with them.

There is a well outlined procedure for all visiting heads of state/royalty ect to follow if they feel their safety is an issue, and it involves talking to their appointed FO liason officer who will discuss the matter with the Met, under which SO14 falls - the section charged with protecting diplomats and foreign heads of state.

snip - Admin2

Tim

Thaksin is no longer a diplomat or a Head of State.

You dont know what you're talking about - as far as the FO is concerned Thaksin is still formely the Thai PM (I know - its a bit of a bum about face situation but thats how protocol works), and secondly, he is in the UK on a diplomatic pass/clearance - whatever eaxct word you wish to use - fact fact - and that is how it will stay untill a new PM is elected or installed - and then subject to the FO accepting that new PM (which they will).

[Maizefarmer]

And secondly - the money from the Shin Corp sale: was never in Thailand as Thai Baht: it was paid for by Tamesek Holdings (check spelling) and processed as USD by Jardine Fleming in Hong Kong - just like the ShinCorp shares were owned by a BVI entity.

AS to where it actually is - good question, but a Hong Kong or British Virgin Islands trust account seems quite possible (knowing how JF works with client funds).

Tim

[womble]

And secondly - the money from the Shin Corp sale: was never in Thailand as Thai Baht: it was paid for by Tamesek Holdings (check spelling) and processed as USD by Jardine Fleming in Hong Kong - just like the ShinCorp shares were owned by a BVI entity.

AS to where it actually is - good question, but a Hong Kong or British Virgin Islands trust account seems quite possible (knowing how JF works with client funds).

Tim

Maybe there is money in many places, but for sure a large amount did come into the country as the baht strengthened hugely during the sale which was a result of very large amounts of foriegn currency coming into the country.

[sabaijai]

One wonders how it is that Thaksin became friendly with Mohamed Al-Fayed.

[Tony Clifton]

One wonders how it is that Thaksin became friendly with Mohamed Al-Fayed.

In 2003, Fayed moved from Surrey, UK to Switzerland, alleging a breach in an agreement with the Her Majesty's Inland Revenue Commissioners. In January 2005, a Geneva newspaper stated that Fayed had moved again, to Monaco, to take advantage of a more favourable tax climate.

The inquiry, involving one of the most bitter feuds in British business history, issued a 1990 report stating that the Fayed brothers had lied about their background and wealth.

Fayed was involved in the cash for questions scandal, having offered the Conservative MPs Neil Hamilton and Tim Smith money for asking questions in Parliament.

See any resemblance?

Edited September 23, 2006 by Tony Clifton

[otherstuff1957]

The phrase 'birds of a feather' comes to mind!

[Thai-Spy]

Thaksin had asked MI5 for protection in the UK: - MI5 have nothing to do with diplomatic protection in the UK. He would have had ZERO contact with them.

There is a well outlined procedure for all visiting heads of state/royalty ect to follow if they feel their safety is an issue, and it involves talking to their appointed FO liason officer who will discuss the matter with the Met, under which SO14 falls - the section charged with protecting diplomats and foreign heads of state.

snip - Admin2

Tim

Thaksin is no longer a diplomat or a Head of State.

You dont know what you're talking about - as far as the FO is concerned Thaksin is still formely the Thai PM (I know - its a bit of a bum about face situation but thats how protocol works), and secondly, he is in the UK on a diplomatic pass/clearance - whatever eaxct word you wish to use - fact fact - and that is how it will stay untill a new PM is elected or installed - and then subject to the FO accepting that new PM (which they will).

Thaksin's status anywhere in the world now is based on a number of polite fictions and the forebearance of local and foreign authorities. Keep in mind that while Thailand at present lacks a legislature or formal executive in the form of a Prime Minister and Cabinet, it still has a number of internationally recognized official bodies that issue passports and diplomatic credentials.

It's certainly within the lawful powers of the current Thai authorities to revoke any of his documents. His passport can be downgraded, restricted or withdrawn entirely at any time. (So can everyone's; passports remain the property of the issuing government and the terms under which they are issued can be changed generally or on a case-by-case basis at any time.)

If a small amount of speculation is permitted by the new TV regulations... Thaksin is being allowed to stay in London because the practical alternatives are so limited. Forcing a situation where the ex-PM ultimately applies for some sort of refugee status or asylum would be counter-productive to reestablishing national stability and legitimacy in the eyes of the other governments of the world as well as the world media.

[Maizefarmer]

ThaiSpy - you're just the man to deal with Mr T

PS - do you do much IP work?

Tim

Debt Collection and Property Recovery

If someone owes you money we can often be of some help. The most common scenario is one in which a local merchant or vendor has entered into a contract with you but has not kept up their end of the deal. We can locate them, remind them of their obligations and seek to recover what is owed to you. We will not use violent methods; we win out by tact and persistence.

Huge earnings on this one - contact the opposition - they paid UK invetsigators handsomely earlier this year (makes me wonder just how long ago this coup was actually planned).

Tim

Property recovery is a more vague area under Thai law and frequently requires court filings to be made. If so we'll refer you to a qualified attorney who may work on your behalf. We won't undertake actions which may leave us or you liable to charges of theft.

Edited September 23, 2006 by Maizefarmer

[Khutan]

One wonders how it is that Thaksin became friendly with Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Maybe he was looking for some ideas on how to solve the problems in the south.

[Maizefarmer]

Does anyone know what the basis to Mr T'srelationship is with Al-Fayad - or this just another of Thai Insider.com's waffle stories.

Tim