Thaksin Linked To Wife's Suspect Land Deal Under Investigation

[Mid]

Khunying Potjaman's listed residence turned out to be a deserted building

classic

[sriracha john]

Thaksin summonsed to face Thai graft trial

Thai prosecutors stuck a summons on the door of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Bangkok home on Thursday, demanding he and his wife, who live in exile in London, appear in court next month to answer corruption charges.

Chief prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon taped the summons and a copy of the charges on the door of Thaksin's one-acre Bangkok "Moon Reflecting Sky" mansion after no one answered the bell.

"We are here to deliver the summons as part of the court procedure," Seksan told reporters as a photographer took his picture in front of the house as evidence the summons had been delivered.

He then drove 10 minutes to an unoccupied three-storey building with a "For Rent" sign outside, the official address of Thaksin's wife Potjaman, to repeat the process.

A panel of nine Supreme Court judges agreed on Monday to hear charges against Thaksin, the new owner of English Premier League football club Manchester City, who has said he has no intention of returning. He says he would not get a fair trial with a military-appointed government in charge.

The court has not said what it will do if the couple does not turn up in court to answer the corruption charges, but it would be normal in Thailand for them to be given more time to appear.

However, an extradition request to Britain remains a possibility, legal experts say.

Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup last year, and his wife face charges summarized as "misconduct of a government official and violation of a ban on state officials being party to transactions involving public interests".

If convicted, Thaksin, a telecommunications billionaire, could face up to 10 years in jail and a 60,000 baht fine.

The charges stem from a ruling by an Asset Examination Committee (AEC) set up after the coup that Thaksin and Potjaman broke anti-graft laws preventing politicians in office doing business deals with state agencies.

Pojaman bought land for 772 million baht ($22.3 million) from a unit of the Bank of Thailand in a 2003 auction in which other bidders dropped out.

The AEC wants the court to annul the deal, return the land to the central bank and confiscate the money involved.

Thaksin and his wife have denied the charges and he says he will not return to Thailand until democracy is restored.

The government plans to put a new draft constitution to a referendum on August 19 and hold a general election by the end of the year.

- Reuters

[sriracha john]

A different member of Thaksin's legal team gives a different report from another member of Thaksin's legal team.

I think there's a legal term for that....

Noppadol Pattama, legal advisor to the Shinawatra family, dismissed speculation that Mr. Thaksin might return for the court appearance and then leave the country immediately. Mr. Noppadol said his client would not mind leaving the lawsuit to the judicial process and cited him as having earlier said he would not return to Bangkok until after a general election has been held.

- MCOT

==========================================

Interesting that one member of Thaksin's legal team calls statements from a different member of Thaksin's legal team, "speculation."

[Tony Clifton]

Khunying Potjaman's listed residence turned out to be a deserted building

classic

Didn't they have companies set up in Singapore with empty offices as well?

[Plus]

Oh no, this not a "ghost" house, it was Shinawatras main residence in Thailand. Sign "for rent" put up already?

What's the price, and, more interestingly, what's the minimum rental term?

[sriracha john]

The taping of the summons... from Thai Rath

I hear you knocking

But you can't come in

- Dave Edmunds lyrics, November 28, 1970

Edited July 12, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

And now that Pojaman's crack house had its Notice to Occupants sign put up... let's get a view of Thaksin's squatter mansion having its Vacate Premises summons attached:

A Supreme Court official on Thursday posts a subpoena at ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's Chan Song La residence. Thaksin and his wife face a graft charge over her Ratchadapisek land deal.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

A different member of Thaksin's legal team gives a different report from another member of Thaksin's legal team.

I think there's a legal term for that....

Noppadol Pattama, legal advisor to the Shinawatra family, dismissed speculation that Mr. Thaksin might return for the court appearance and then leave the country immediately. Mr. Noppadol said his client would not mind leaving the lawsuit to the judicial process and cited him as having earlier said he would not return to Bangkok until after a general election has been held.

- MCOT

==========================================

Interesting that one member of Thaksin's legal team calls statements from a different member of Thaksin's legal team, "speculation."

"Will the real representative from Thaksin's legal team... please stand up."

Noppadon Pattama, legal adviser for ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, gestures as he defends his client during a panel discussion on Thaksin's takeover of Manchester City FC at the Thai Journalists Association on Thursday.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

A prosecution official hangs a court summons outside the residence of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Charan Sanit Wong Soi 69 in Bang Phlad district yesterday.

Bangkok Post

Summonses delivered to Thaksin and wife

Court summonses were put up outside the houses of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman yesterday ordering the couple to appear in court on Aug 14. The Supreme Court's political crime section issued the summonses ordering the couple to appear in court to testify in the case alleging corruption against the two. Chief prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon and a team of court officials, accompanied by Bang Phlad police chief Pol Col Sa-ngob Ard-doddorn, yesterday delivered a summons to Mr Thaksin's residence on Charan Sanit Wong Soi 69 in Bang Phlad district. Nobody emerged from the house to sign for the summons and a copy of the lawsuit against the couple was then hung on the gate. Two policemen are standing guard to prevent anyone from removing the summons. The delivery process was videotaped by the team. Seksan's team later headed to another address on Rama V road which was registered in Potjaman's name to deliver a second summons. The three-storey building, adjacent to an old office of the Shinawatra Computer & Communication Group, appeared deserted. Dusit district official Somporn Meehadsai said Potjaman gave the address in the household and building tax forms. She also cast her ballot in the previous general election in the Dusit area where the building is located. The summons was pasted to the building's glass entrance.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Jul2007_news02.php

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Seems like everything connected to these two is tainted....

[sriracha john]

Summons Posted for Ousted PM and Wife at BKK Residences

< snipped >

The procession later visited the address 526 on Rama V Road in Dusit district - the home of the deposed PM's wife Pojaman Shinawatra accoridng to her census registration.

The officials managed to post the court's summons on the mirrored partition of the residence after they have discovered that the house was closed.

The residence's housekeeper, Somkid Wongchandee says the home has been abandoned for years. She says she does not know who the owner is but her cleaning agent company have been employed to caretake the residence.

- Thailand Outlook

[hammered]

It must be nice to own so many deserted properties when so many in Thailand strugggle to own one. Maybe some of these could be donated to the residents of the Din Daeng flats on their demolition.

News reports like this without intending to put in perspective the division betweent the super rich elite of Thailand and the vast majority.

[sriracha john]

Pojaman fails to report to AEC again

Ousted premier's wife Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra Thursday failed to report to Assets Examination Committee (AEC) again. She was in fact scheduled to testify to AEC Thursday relating to her family's Shin Corp sales to Temasek Holdings.

However, her lawyer told AEC that Pojaman was unable to show up due to some reasons. He refused to disclose the details.

He confirmed that Pojaman was not ill, and she had the right to testify only in court.

- The Nation

====================================================

that time of month?

[Jai Dee]

AEC to submit land deal case to DSI

The subcommittee responsible for investigating the Ratchadapisek (รัชดาภิเษก) land deal case will ask the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to transfer this land procurement case to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) after the AEC has completed its term.

The chairman of this subcommittee, Mr. Udom Fuangfoong (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง), says he will propose this issue at the AEC meeting on July 23rd, 2007. He says the DSI will be asked to investigate this case further.

The DSI agents will also be investigating key officials who could be involved in this deal, before submitting their findings to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) for further consideration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 July 2007

[John K]

There was a short story in the Nation about 11:30 pm Wednesday that was pulled down a few minutes after it was put up. Unfortunately I could not get a copy in time. The story said they were moving forward with arresting her if I remember correctly. I was hoping it would appear again but it has not. I don’t know if the government took it down or was it just an ambitious journalist who wanted to go home early and typed the story before the fact.

If true is suggests the government hip boots are near submerged with the BS from this family.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's wife refuses to testify to ASC

A lawyer of Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of deposed premier Thaksin, handed a letter to the Assets Scrutiny Committee on Thursday morning, saying that she invokes the right to refuse to provide statements to the panel on the sales of Shin Corp share. Somporn Pongsuwan, the family lawyer, said Potjaman is now in the UK and is healthy. Potjaman had postponed this testifying to the panel several times earlier citing illness.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120302

========================

Lies, lies, and more lies....

[chubbybob]

It seems to be a toss-up, who is worst, pudgy Potjaman or Toxin, for sure they certainly deserve each other. Given half a chance most Brits would like to see them depart from the UK!

[sriracha john]

AEC to ask police to press charges against Thaksin's wife and son

Assets Examination Committee will ask police on Tuesday to press charges against four persons, including wife and son of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, for refusing to testify on corruption charges.

AEC will seek legal action against Pojaman and her son; Pantongtae, as well as Pojaman's personal secretary; Kanjanapa Honghern and Pojaman's sister in law; Busaba Damapong.

AEC's secretary Kaewsan Atipothi said that Pojaman had asked four times to postpone the hearing and the committee permitted all the request. However she recently submitted a document denying the AEC's authority to summon her for testifying.

Her son also refused to testify before the committee, Kaewsan said.

- The Nation

=========================

Isn't there an old adage that goes.... "The family that goes to go jail together, stays together".... or something like that?

Edited July 23, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thailand steps up legal moves against Thaksin family

BANGKOK - The Assets Examination Committee has resolved to take legal action against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's family members for having failed to testify before the panel over alleged wrongdoing charges earlier filed against them and involving a controversial land purchase.

AEC secretary Kaewsan Atiphothi said the panel planned to file a lawsuit under the National Counter Corruption Commission Act against Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of the deposed prime minister, and her son, Panthongtae Shinawatra, as well as Busaba Damapong and Kanchanapha Honghern, because they failed to testify this month over the Ratchadaphisek land purchase several years ago.

The Shinawatra family members, who had earlier claimed they would defend themselves only in court and preferred not to deal with the AEC, might be fined a maximum of Bt10,000 (334 dollars) or sentenced to a maximum of six months in jail, if found guilty under Thailand's counter-corruption laws.

During Mr. Thaksin's premiership, Potjaman allegedly bought the land at an unusually low price from the Office of the Rehabilitation Fund for Financial Institutions.

The Shinawatra family had earlier claimed to defend themselves only in court trials and preferred not to deal with the panel.

Meanwhile, the AEC has ordered the freezing of another Bt1.6 billion in bank accounts held by the Shinawatra's family and relatives. The Shinawatra family's latest frozen fortune was held at several bank accounts by Bannaphot Damapong, Pojaman's stepbrother.

A total of Bt64 billion in bank accounts held by Mr. Thaksin's family members and relatives have been foreclosed so far, following last year's Bt73 billion sale of their Shin Corp stocks to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.

- MCOT

[marshbags]

AEC to ask police to press charges against Thaksin's wife and son

Assets Examination Committee will ask police on Tuesday to press charges against four persons, including wife and son of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, for refusing to testify on corruption charges.

AEC will seek legal action against Pojaman and her son; Pantongtae, as well as Pojaman's personal secretary; Kanjanapa Honghern and Pojaman's sister in law; Busaba Damapong.

AEC's secretary Kaewsan Atipothi said that Pojaman had asked four times to postpone the hearing and the committee permitted all the request. However she recently submitted a document denying the AEC's authority to summon her for testifying.

Her son also refused to testify before the committee, Kaewsan said.

- The Nation

=========================

Isn't there an old adage that goes.... "The family that goes to go jail together, stays together".... or something like that?

I don,t know if there is any connection between the two bits of news i heard / read this morning but

First of all i heard on the Asia Business news this a.m. that " Temasek Holdings of Singapore." were now going into the telecoms business in China.

Then the above that S.J. has posted.

It would seem that he still has false illusions along with covering all his escape routes to spend all his ill gotten gains in.

He still doesn,t know the true meaning of Honest / Dishonest situations nor what his intensions are. ??????????

The two items could marry up nicely don,t you think.

Just a thought.

marshbags

[Tony Clifton]

Was in Singapore this morning and thought I'd heard on tv that Temasek was being bought. I may be wrong.

[marshbags]

Breaking news Bangkok Post 25-07-2007

16:24 NLA extends ASC's term to next year

NLA extends ASC's term to next year

National Legislative Assembly agreed Wednesday to extend the Assets Scrutiny Committee's term for six months more to give the panel more time to investigate corruption charges in relation to the previous government.

Ref url for the rest of the item..

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120446

Imagine what another six months will expose along with continuity of those already in the investigation mode ????

marshbags

Edited July 25, 2007 by marshbags

[John K]

More sudden health issues I think. Does not say much if they have to go out of the country to get help, I think Bumrungrad should be fine for them.

[Mid]

not news , but for the record

Thaksin fails to appear for tax investigation

By South East Asia correspondent Karen Percy

Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has failed to appear before investigators looking into allegations that he evaded tax during his time in office.

abc.net.au

[John K]

I can’t help but wonder when the arrest warrants will pop. Thaksin’s wife and kids can’t use the political defense for extradition as they were never in office. Thaksin never ceases to amaze me on how low he will go to use his own family as human shields.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin, Pojaman risk warrants against them for no-show in court

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman may be penalised if they refuse to appear for arraignment on the Ratchadaphisek land case at the Supreme Court on Tuesday, a court official said yesterday.

"This is unprecedented as the two defendants appear to have chosen not to respond to the prosecution writ against them," court secretary Rakkiart Watanapong said.

The punishment for defying a court summons is up to six months in jail and a fine of Bt1,000.

Under court procedures, should the two defendants opt not to show up, the high court will then rule to suspend the proceedings until the prosecution can bring them to enter a plea on the charges, which relate to the abuse of power.

Prosecutors have yet to decide their next step. One likely option is to petition the high court to issue arrest warrants for the two defendants, paving the way for an extradition request to apprehend them in London, where they currently reside.

- The Nation

[Tony Clifton]

I wonder if their offspring ever heard this song?

Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep

Where's your momma gone

(Where's your momma gone)

Little baby bird

(Little baby bird)

Where's your momma gone

(Where's your momma gone)

Far far away

Where's your poppa gone

(Where's your poppa gone)

Little baby bird

(Little baby bird)

Where's your poppa gone

(Where's your poppa gone)

Far far away far far awayayay...

[John K]

We shall see on that. I do admit it will interesting if they need to apply for that. It is just a matter of time before the UK get sick of Thaksin. I personally feel Thaksin can’t operate in the UK because his methods of business will get him seeing the inside of a UK jail before long.

[Plus]

Ratchada deal is pretty straightforward and the Brits will be inconvenienced by extradition request. Bits are very publicly trying to get Russians to extradite an alleged killer, refusing Thailand at the same time is politically dangerous.

They can't officially say they don't recognise Thai government or that the case is politically motivated, they will let the courts to decide, and this is where it might get complicated as after the elections the defence will have to come up with some new ideas.

Eventually Thaksin will turn into a fully fledged fugitive and real headache.

[sriracha john]

Ex-PM may face arrest warrants if failing to appear in court

The Assets Examination Committee warns the former prime minister and his wife that they could be arrested if they fail to report to the court for a land embezzlement case.

The team adds that if the ex-PM's family wants to free their assets, they must provide proof of ownership in person.

Assets Examination Committee spokesman Sak Korsaengruang stated the Shinawatra family has a right to file for a revocation of the court's asset freeze. However, they must prove that they are the rightful owners of their assets, a requirement that must be done in person, not through representatives.

The AEC and state attorney in charge of the Ratchada land embezzlement case added that arrest warrants will be issued for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and his wife, if neither of them appear for the first court hearing.

- Thailand Outlook

============================================================================

Although he didn't return when his wife, his children and his other family members will being hauled in to testify in front of investigators and courts.... nor when his "baby" the Thai Rak Thai party was dissolved.... none of these mattered in the slightest compared to his only real concern, money....

so perhaps he very well may return to fight for that.

[sriracha john]

A chance for Thaksin to live up to his bravado

An event that was unthinkable less than a year ago might happen on Tuesday, though chances of it actually occurring remain pretty remote.

That is when Thaksin Shinawatra will get a big slap on the wrist, this time with his wife Pojaman Shinawatra.

They have been summoned to appear in the Supreme Court to face charges related to political wrongdoing and several cases that have already engulfed the couple, their children, in-laws, close relatives and political cronies.

It is unlikely the pair will have the nerve to appear in court despite Thaksin's bravado in declaring that he would stand to defend his honour in any criminal trial against him.

The reversal of financial and political fortunes faced by the couple have taught them quite a bit about misery following over five years of unrivalled and unchallenged political power full of hubris and extreme arrogance.

Their disregard for the need to keep a low profile and accept their fate with humility has aggravated their predicament, leading to investigations into blatant malfeasance, misdeeds and complex financial shenanigans, not to mention other controversial and scandalous cases.

If the couple does not show up on Tuesday, they will be subject to a fine of just Bt1,000, which means nothing. What comes next could, however, be really hair-raising - that would be an arrest warrant, making their movement abroad more difficult if Thai authorities were to seek assistance from international law-enforcement agencies.

That means the pair would no longer be enjoying the good life in Britain.

British tabloids and other media outlets have a keen interest in human-interest stories, and would be particularly keen on their days in power waging months of dirty wars with alleged drug dealers through extrajudicial killings that also claimed innocent lives.

Ex-Thai Rak Thai members, who are in disarray and trying to find a new party, still insist that their ex-leader is determined to face what they deem unfair charges concocted by political enemies.

While Thaksin can avoid criminal cases here, he may eventually appear in a very bad light in front of the glaring eyes of stern British judges soon enough.

What's more, Thaksin could have not imagined the degree of suffering his minions endured during their recent time in prison. Such an experience would be a far cry from being surrounded by a bevy of beauties in karaoke hideaways.

That is entirely possible if anti-crime and anti-money laundering agencies force him to prove his good standing and clean background amidst the fanfare surrounding his status as the new owner of the Manchester City Football Club.

The investigation into whether Thaksin meets the "fit and proper person" standards of the Premier League has yet to take a serious look into his affairs and the sources of his funds.

Further investigation by British journalists would make his role as the top boss of a football club much less glamorous.

Other foreign owners of Premier League clubs have maintained relatively low profiles, preferring not to attract much local attention because the Premier League is closely linked with national pride.

Certainly, key members of the Premier League and upstanding lawmakers would not want someone with a dubious background and a bad reputation to cause further harm to the popular game in addition to the occasional scandal caused by hooligans locally and on the Continent.

If Thaksin were to decide to appear in court the day after tomorrow with his lawyers and wife, it would clearly prove that he has guts.

All along he has been insistent about his innocence and courage to face legal adversity. That could be just merely hot air, as we know, for gullible fans and those still hoping that his return would mean fresh loans transformed instantly into debts.

His excuses for not showing up are that he could not expect a fair trial or a safe environment, with occasional claims that some are out to see him end up like Benigno Aquino, who was assassinated at Manila airport. The fear for his life is unquestioned, like other mortals, never mind his tough talk about having uncommon valour.

He is aware that if an arrest warrant is issued after a no-show in court, he would have to find somewhere quickly that would not extradite him. Taiwan could be a choice, in addition to Cuba, Costa Rica, and elsewhere. He could be safe until a regime change, or until he runs out of money.

What's happening in England now after his controversial role here is hard to judge. His attorneys have been quiet. The British Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 has anti-graft rules. Officials do things quietly.

Who knows? Something might already be in the works, just waiting for the official arrest warrant from Thailand.

Thaksin had the chance to become a venerable political statesman through his vast wealth. Instead, he chose the course of a despot to become the most powerful man in the country's history.

Now he has gained notoriety of a scale he might have never expected or aspired to. Like all fallen dictators and those who have become arrogant with power, he no doubt thought that his great days would last forever.

- Sopon Onkgara, Sidelines, The Nation

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