Thaksin Linked To Wife's Suspect Land Deal Under Investigation

[womble]

Investigating corruption is a huge task

The proverbial garbage is being swept from under the rug after the Sept 19 coup against the Thaksin government. The interim government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has ordered investigations into several corruption scandals. We wonder whether the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) and the Assets Investigation Committee (AIC) are fully equipped for this gigantic task. Great effort is needed to unearth alleged corruption linked to the construction of the new Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the rubber-planting projects in the North and Northeast, the longan mortgage scheme, the Ua-Arthorn cheap housing projects for the poor and the purchase of land plots by the wife of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. More manpower will also be spent to find the abductors of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit. These corruption cases prove that political power can be abused for personal gain if the checks-and-balance mechanisms do not function effectively. If people cast their votes in a national election without looking closely into the backgrounds of candidates, it will create a vicious cycle of money politics, power abuse and corruption. There will be no change if civil servants and independent organisations are dominated by politicians. We will have to wait for corrupt politicians to lose their power and then look for the skeletons in their cupboards. The writers of the new constitution must impose harsh penalties against civil servants who turn a blind eye to political corruption.

- Thai Rath Editorial

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/16Nov2006_news25.php

It won't create it, that is what it is.

There are very few Thai politicians who are in it purely for the good of the country.

For people supposed to be so patriotic it is actually laughable just how unpatriotic there actions really are.

[sriracha john]

CORRUPTION PROBE

A conflict of interest 'inherent' in land deal

The Assets Scrutiny Committee is carefully studying the land purchase deal of Khunying Potjaman, to prove there was a conflict of interest

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman will face a big challenge to defend their 772-million-baht land deal in court, as the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) has geared up to prove the charge of conflict of interest against them, by seeking several case studies from a broad range of witnesses. This is to ensure the panel will have concrete, real and solid evidence to back up their legal interpretation against any disputes during court procedure, and to be sure the case will not be dismissed, according to a source on the panel. The panel believes the couple violated Article 100 of the Counter Corruption Act, which states that state officials, a prime minister and cabinet members, as well as their spouses, shall not enter into or have interests in contracts made with a state agency they supervise, control or oversee. Somchai Pakapaswiwat, a political science lecturer at Thammasat University, yesterday said the intention of this law was to demand collective responsibility from a prime minister over administration of his government. It also aimed to ensure that the government would be held responsible collectively over wrongdoings within the framework of their administration. In terms of good governance, Mr Thaksin was completely guilty for allowing or acknowledging the deal to be made by his wife, he said. If he was not sure whether or not his wife's deal would break the law, he could have appointed a committee to interpret the law, he said. ''He cannot play two roles at the same time because it would bring about a conflict of interest,'' Mr Somchai said. ''He had complete authority over all state agencies and could have ordered the deal to be put on hold if he had wanted to.''

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/17Nov2006_news27.php

[sriracha john]

LAND CONTROVERSY

Blow to Pojaman on status of FIDF

Agency considered to be part of the state, which could affect her purchase of pricey city plot

The Council of State has indicated that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was authorised to oversee the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) as it is considered a state agency, a source from the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) said yesterday.

The FIDF's status has bearing on the legality of a purchase of land from the institution by the former premier's wife, Khunying Pojaman. Article 100 of the Counter Corruption Act prohibits state officials or their spouses from engaging in contractual agreements with state agencies under their supervision.

The source said the AEC team investigating the Bt772-million land deal had been reviewing information received from related agencies, which included a document signed by the Council of State's former secretary-general Chaiwat Wongwat-tanasan in May 2000 indicating the FIDF's status as a government organisation established under special laws. It was considered a state enterprise as it was a legal entity established by the government for business purposes.

The FIDF was also considered a state agency because it is under the Bank of Thailand (BOT), which is a state agency, the source said. The prime minister is the highest official to watch over state agencies.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem is to ask the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) whether it will follow the previous commission's interpretation of Article 100, which was that it applied only in the case of corruption or irregularities, the source said.

The NCCC's interpretation of the Article 100 of the Counter Corruption Act might affect the AEC's investigation into the land purchase, the source said.

However, Udom Fuangfoong, an AEC member investigating the deal, said the committee would take other agencies' opinion on the case into consideration, but these would not affect its investigation or conclusions.

The Pojaman land purchase had seen the most progress among the AEC's various investigations, he said.

Udom said the AEC would continue investigating whether the Government Lottery Office's spending of revenue from the two- and three-digit lotteries was legal, regardless of whether the lotteries themselves were legal.

"Police Maj-General Surasit Sangkhapong, former director of the Government Lottery Office, has said the GLO made losses nine times from issuing these lotteries. He said he would find out the actual amount of the loss and inform the AEC later," Udom said.

Meanwhile, the AEC will meet today to determine whether Pojaman's brother Bhanapot Damapong should be taxed for the Shin Corp shares he received from his sister as a gift. Bhanapot might have to pay tax of more than Bt1.66 billion plus fines over the transaction.

The AEC will also consider the appointment of a subcommittee to investigate alleged irregularities in the procurement of fire trucks and fireboats for Bangkok city.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

Khunying Potjaman and Mr Thaksin will also face another case involving a land deal worth 772 million baht, which is being investigated by the assets scrutiny committee. Udom Fuangfung, a committee member and chief of a sub-panel looking into the land deal, said yesterday that the committee would ask for recordings of Mr Thaksin's speeches aired on his weekly radio shows from the Public Relations Department (PRD) to prove that he had broken the anti-corruption law in connection with the land deal his wife made with the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) in 2003. Mr Udom said the speeches reflected Mr Thaksin's vision of his authority over the Bank of Thailand (BoT). A source said the committee was looking for Mr Thaksin's remarks aired mainly between 2001-2003 before the land deal took place. In those speeches, Mr Thaksin had clearly indicated he had authority over both the BoT and its agency _ the FIDF. This is because his wife bid for the land in question and bought it from the FIDF with his acknowledgment, the source said. Mr Udom said the committee wanted to obtain certified versions of Mr Thaksin's talks during his weekly radio programme from the PRD to ensure they have enough weight to counter [defence lawyers'] arguments in court. The committee believes the land purchase violated Article 100 of the Counter Corruption Act which bars state officials including the prime minister, cabinet members and their spouses from entering into or having interests in contracts with state agencies which they have the authority to oversee, control, or regulate.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/23Nov2006_news03.php

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

those dang tapes... but don't feel bad, Thakky... tapes were Richard Nixon's undoing as well.

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

Banharn gives info to scrutiny panel

Mr Banharn told reporters that his wife was not involved in the land scandal which was sold to wife of deposed prime minister Thaksin when Mr Banharn was a prime minister. He defended his wife, saying she never conducted such business because she does not have any knowledge on the field.

Assets scrutiny committee chairman Nam Yimyaem said last month the land Khunying Potjaman bought from Financial Institutions Development Fund was unusually below market value. The committee suspected Khunying Potjaman might have received preferential treatment in the bidding process which took place when Mr Thaksin was the prime minister.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=114827

[sriracha john]

from: Itv Court Ruling

the tension is mounting..... we need a drum roll...

iTV fate will be decided today

Bt94-billion 'fine' could bankrupt it and its concession handed to the state

6 days later and more tension... and an additional drum roll is needed...

ASC PROBE CONTROVERSIAL B772 MILLION LAND PLOT DEAL

Thaksin's fate to be decided today

The Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) is to decide today whether deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman are guilty of violating corruption laws in a 772-million-baht land deal in 2003, an ASC member said yesterday.

Udom Fuangfung, member of the ASC and head of a committee sub-panel probing the deal, said his team has completed the investigation and the findings are to be tabled before the 11-member committee today.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/18Dec2006_news02.php

[sriracha john]

from: Itv Court Ruling

the tension is mounting..... we need a drum roll...

iTV fate will be decided today

Bt94-billion 'fine' could bankrupt it and its concession handed to the state

6 days later and more tension... and an additional drum roll is needed...

ASC PROBE CONTROVERSIAL B772 MILLION LAND PLOT DEAL

Thaksin's fate to be decided today

The Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) is to decide today whether deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman are guilty of violating corruption laws in a 772-million-baht land deal in 2003, an ASC member said yesterday.

Udom Fuangfung, member of the ASC and head of a committee sub-panel probing the deal, said his team has completed the investigation and the findings are to be tabled before the 11-member committee today.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/18Dec2006_news02.php

[Jai Dee]

The case of land purchase by Khunying Pojaman to be concluded next week

Spokesman of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC), Sak Kowsangruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) expects that the conclusion of Khunying Pojamarn Shinawatra (พจมาน ชินวัตร)’s land purchase will be finalized.

In regards to the investigation made against Khunying Pojamarn’s land purchase, Mr. Sak said that Mr. Udom Fuangfung (อุดม เฟื่องฟุ้ง) will propose the conclusion of the case to AEC meeting on Monday. He further explained that if AEC approves the case, then charges against those involved will take place immediately.

Mr. Panthongtae (พานทองแท้ ชินวัตร), and Ms. Pinthongta (พิณทองทา) Shinawatra has to report to the AEC in person to clarify facts. Sending in documents by another person will not be accepted by AEC. Mr. Sak has warned Mr. Panthongtae and Ms. Pinthongta to follow AEC request; otherwise, the penalty will be imposed against them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 20 December 2006

[sriracha john]

Thai authorities to pursue corruption charge against Thaksin family over 2003 land deal

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thai authorities will speed up legal action against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra by pursuing corruption charges against him and his wife over a controversial land deal, the finance minister said Tuesday.

The comments by Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula came amid mounting criticism that Thailand's post-coup government has failed to prove corruption allegations against Thaksin — one of the military's main reasons for staging a coup that overthrew him in September.

The 2003 land deal is the focus of one of 13 Thaksin-related corruption investigations launched by military-appointed committees since the Sept. 19 coup.

The case involves the 2003 purchase by Thaksin's wife, Pojamarn, of some prime Bangkok real estate. She bought the land from the Financial Institutions Development Fund, or FIDF, the government's financial-rescue arm, for 772 million baht (today's rate equivalent of US$22 million; €17 million). The land reportedly doubled in value two months after her purchase.

The military appointed Assets Examination Committee said late last month the deal violated an anti-corruption law that bars a prime minister or his spouse from doing business with a government agency.

Sak Korsaengruang, a spokesman for the AEC, said in order to pursue corruption charges against the Shinawatras, the committee required the FIDF to file a formal complaint based on the committee's investigation.

Pridiyathorn said Tuesday that after carefully reading the committee's report, the government planned to pursue charges.

"I have instructed the FIDF to file a formal complaint to facilitate the AEC to speed up the process of legal action against the offender," Pridiyathorn told reporters.

Once a formal complaint is filed, the case can go to court.

- Associated Press

[John K]

Is there deliberate feet dragging here or is this just a prime example of “Thai time?”

[sriracha john]

well, well... his wife is under investigation, his kids have been saddled with a huge fine for tax evasion, so it's only fitting that his sister undergo an investigation into her "abnormal wealth":

Democrats urge probe of Thaksin's sister

The deputy leader of the Democrat Party, Mr Alongkorn Polbutr is preparing to submit documents to the Assets Examination Committee to investigate what he alleged was the "abnormal wealth" of the sister of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Democrat deputy leader Alongkorn Polbutr will submit documents to the Assets Examination Committee to request an investigation into the abnormal wealth of Yaowapa Wongsawat, Mr Thaksin's younger sister.

Mr Alongkorn said he had reason to believe Ms Yaowapa hid assets from the state, and transferred them to her three children and Ms Sunisa Pathompong, the younger sister of a minister in the Thaksin administration.

Morever, Ms Yaowapa held stocks, and property in the Shinnichaville project worth over 256 million baht. Ms Yaowapa also purchased the Garden City Lagoon project from the Thai Property company while her three children owned stocks in four companies worth more than 1 billion baht, even though they are still students. "gee, Mom...that's a lot of milk money for school"

Mr Alongkorn concluded that there was much supporting evidence to believe the Thaksin administration was involved in corruption.

- Thaisnews

Thaksin's sister targetted

Democrat Party deputy leader Alongkorn Pollabutr will tomorrow petition for the launch of a graft investigation into Yaowapha Wongsawat, former MP and sister of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I suspect Yaowapha amassed unusual wealth while in her elected office," Alongkorn said yesterday at a press conference.

He said he wanted the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) to look into Yaowapha's involvement in the Chinnicha Ville housing estate.

The NCCC should start by examining Yaowapha's assets statement, which might have been doctored to conceal ill-gotten gains stashed away in nominees' accounts, he said.

Yaowapha's nominees include her three children - Yosanan, Chinnicha and Chayapha - and a close aide, Sunisa Pathompreuk nee Wejchai, he added.

The NCCC might proceed to examine the composition of equity stakes in the holding company of the housing estate, the Bt256-million transaction for the plot to be developed and the Bt1-billion deal to merge four companies before kicking off the project, he said.

- The Nation

UPDATE

Alongkorn vows to nail Yaowapa

Democrat party deputy leader Alongkorn Ponlabutr says he will go public today with information he claims will show how Yaowapa Wongsawat was instrumental in a web of cronyism feeding on ill-gotten gains which could be traced back to her brother, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Mr Alongkorn said the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) has already accepted a complaint he filed against Mrs Yaowapa for being unusually rich.

Mr Alongkorn said he first exposed Mrs Yaowapa in May last year by releasing documents to back his allegations. ''I've spent four to five years putting together jigsaws of the whole network,'' he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/13Jan2007_news12.php

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

not sure Alongkorn would appreciate the Post's use of the verb "nail" in its headline. which is sometimes used as a euphemism for something I don't think ANYONE would want to do with Yaowapa...

the same could also be said for ThaiNews use of another verb, "probe", from the earlier report...

Edited January 12, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

FIDF to sue ousted premier, Pojaman

The Bank of Thailand's financial-rescue arm FIDF yesterday decided to file a charge against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Pojaman over a Bt772-million land purchase.

But the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) would be the body to take legal action against Thaksin and Pojaman.

The Financial Institutions Development Fund said its decision would allow the AEC to further investigate the case and take legal action.

Phairoj Hengsakul, assistant governor as well as manager of the Fund, said the FIDF would today file a charge against Thaksin and Pojaman with the AEC, which recently set up a panel to investigate the land purchase.

In 2003, Pojaman spent Bt772 million to buy four plots in the Ratchadaphisek Road area. The land was put up for auction by the FIDF.

Phairoj said, according to procedure, AEC would submit the case to the state prosecutor to consider whether to file a lawsuit against Thaksin and Pojaman to the Supreme Court's political-case department.

The FIDF head said the charge was based on Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act. The decision was made after considering the AEC's evidence.

According to Article 100, government officials - including prime ministers - and their spouses are prohibited from entering into or having interests in contracts made with state agencies under their authorisation.

"When the AEC asked us to proceed in order to bring about a trial, the Fund has considered and decided that in order to make the trial transparent, we have to file the charge," Phairoj said.

According to Article 66 of the National Counter Corruption Act, if a damaged party wishes to file a charge accusing a prime minister of malfeasance, the party has to file the charge with the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC). The AEC has been responsible for the NCCC's duty in this case.

According to Article 67, the filed charge must have details of the name and address of the damaged party, as well as the name and position of the person accused of committing the wrongdoing. The details must also include the charge as well as the alleged wrongdoing.

Article 4 indicates that persons committing malfeasance must be the officials who directly supervised the damaged party - in this case, the FIDF.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

FIDF seeks damages from Thaksin and wife

The Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) has asked the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) to seek financial compensation from deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman over the controversial 772 million baht purchase of land from the fund. The FIDF put its request in a letter to the ASC dated Jan 16. It asked the panel to investigate the pair in order to file criminal charges against them. It also requested civil action against the ex-prime minister and his wife to demand compensation for damages.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/18Jan2007_news12.php

[hammered]

FIDF seeks damages from Thaksin and wife

The Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) has asked the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) to seek financial compensation from deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman over the controversial 772 million baht purchase of land from the fund. The FIDF put its request in a letter to the ASC dated Jan 16. It asked the panel to investigate the pair in order to file criminal charges against them. It also requested civil action against the ex-prime minister and his wife to demand compensation for damages.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/18Jan2007_news12.php

It does now seem that the cases are starting to build up, and they will get to court, which has to be a good thing.

[sriracha john]

FIDF to follow ASC instructions and list damages in Potjaman deal

The FIDF will obey the ASC and state the damages incurred in a 2003 land deal with Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The ASC this week accused the FIDF and other agencies of being uncooperative in moves to file corruption charges against Mr Thaksin. The FIDF was singled out for failing to specify damages from the 2003 deal in its petition to the ASC calling for an investigation under anti-graft laws. The ASC said Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman violated Article 100 of the anti-corruption law, which bans state officials from entering into contracts with state agencies under their supervision.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Jan2007_news08.php

[sriracha john]

Land deal 'crime at any price'

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra violated anti-corruption laws, no matter whether the price of the land on Ratchadaphisek Road that Pojaman bought was high or low, an official said yesterday.

Assets Examination Committee (AEC) chairman Nam Yimyaem was speaking to counter the reason given by the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) for not stating in its complaint that the deal had caused damage to the state.

The FIDF gave no damage figure for the deal, reasoning Pojaman bought the land at a price higher than the government standard price.

Nam said that Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Law stipulated that the PM and spouse are banned from signing any contract.

"By having signed the land purchase, it can be interpreted that the damage is done,'' Nam said.

The AEC also summoned Bank of Thailand Governor Tarisa Watanagase to give more reasons why the central bank's rescue arm, the FIDF, had not indicated how much damage was done from the land deal.

AEC subcommittee chairman Udom Fuangfung said Tarisa yesterday produced a draft of a new complaint that stated damage was incurred from the land deal - but did not specify how much.

Udom said the new complaint was acceptable and his subcommittee would forward the file of Pojaman's land deal to the AEC to appoint an investigation panel.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said the AEC subcommittee on Shin Corp's share sale had received useful information from its seven-hour questioning of Pinthongta Shinawatra, Thaksin's daughter. Pinthongta took some time to check whether the subcommittee correctly recorded her statements in the petition.

The subcommittee will question Shin Corp CEO Boonklee Plangsiri and Bhannapot Damapong, Pojaman's adoptive brother, tomorrow.

The subcommittee also questioned Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Korn Chatikavanij for over four hours about the Shin Corp sale.

Korn said he was asked about the technique of transferring money overseas to avoid checks. He said the subcommittee was also interested in knowing if Thaksin used insider information in his business transaction and which state agencies supplied information for him or his family.

Korn said he gave evidence to the subcommittee to trace the routes of Thaksin's money overseas that is suspected to be illegal money. He said the AEC could impound Thaksin's assets abroad if it found evidence.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Tassanawalai Ongartsithicha

Panthongtae Shinawatra

AEC queries share buyers

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday summoned a shareholder of How Come Entertainment Co over Krung Thai Bank's extension of a Bt17.6-million loan to the company's employees to buy Airport of Thailand (AOT) Plc shares.

Tassanawalai Ongartsithicha, or "Hana", a friend of Panthongtae Shinawatra, was questioned about 21 cheques worth Bt17.6 million given to How Come's staff.

The AEC found the AOT gave 22 million shares to benefactors. It also found Krung Thai Bank extended loans to reserve the right to buy 420,000 AOT shares by issuing cheques to How Come's staff. They suspect the company workers were used as nominees.

Tassanawalai said the staff had the right to buy and sell shares like anyone else. She urged the AEC not to link the share purchase to politics, or she might see it as harassment.

Meanwhile, former Bank of Thailand governor MR Chatu-mongol Sonakul gave a statement to the AEC regarding the land purchase by Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra. AEC member Udom Fuangfung said Chatumongol gave useful information about the role of the Financial Institution Development Fund.

- The Nation

- The Nation

Edited February 7, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

GRAFT ALLEGATIONS

AEC set to rule on Pojaman land buy

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will determine today if formal charges will be laid against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Pojaman, over a controversial land purchase.

Udom Fuangfoong, who heads the AEC subcommittee investigating the purchase by Pojaman of plots in the Ratchadaphisek Road area, said he would recommend formal charges.

He said Thaksin and Pojaman would need to testify in their defence.

Thaksin has been in exile overseas since he was overthrown in last September's military coup.

He can appear in person, via video link or submit written testimony, according to Udom. He added the AEC would make the final decision.

Pojaman is accused of securing the plots thanks to the influence of her husband, who was prime minister at the time.

The land was sold by the government's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF).

Thaksin is accused of abusing his authority as the supervisor of the FIDF. Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act prohibits any public office holder from exerting such influence.

The Nation

[mouse]

Now I am no politician or expert on law, but, from what I understand during the PUTSCH the Constitution was declared nulll and void, so it would seem that all Laws and Acts enacted under that Constitution are also null and void. The new laws created after the Putsch and as a result of the new Constittution will not be retroactive. Or am I confused here. After all the country was under martial law without any other laws.

If this is the case there is also no valid and enforcible Immigration Law.

Somebody please make me smart about this or am I dreaming?

[hammered]

Now I am no politician or expert on law, but, from what I understand during the PUTSCH the Constitution was declared nulll and void, so it would seem that all Laws and Acts enacted under that Constitution are also null and void. The new laws created after the Putsch and as a result of the new Constittution will not be retroactive. Or am I confused here. After all the country was under martial law without any other laws.

If this is the case there is also no valid and enforcible Immigration Law.

Somebody please make me smart about this or am I dreaming?

Trying to question laws about immigration may not be a very good idea. In any country where there has been a coup the constitution is almost always tossed. However, all countries that have coups still have a legal framework which is usually based on existing laws (minus any specific ones that get repealed) and under bodies that usually consist of existing ones and maybe a few post coup ones. While over time the questioning of the authority of the convicting body at the coup time may or may not result eventually in some cases being overturned this is more likely if it happens at all to be in the case of those wealthy enough to pursue the cases and those willing to do the time if they are in the country. For "lesser" crimes and almost certainly for immigration related crimes it is highly unlikely that convictions will be overturned.

[Old Man River]

AEC queries share buyers

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday summoned a shareholder of How Come Entertainment Co over Krung Thai Bank's extension of a Bt17.6-million loan to the company's employees to buy Airport of Thailand (AOT) Plc shares.

Tassanawalai Ongartsithicha, or "Hana", a friend of Panthongtae Shinawatra, was questioned about 21 cheques worth Bt17.6 million given to How Come's staff.

The AEC found the AOT gave 22 million shares to benefactors. It also found Krung Thai Bank extended loans to reserve the right to buy 420,000 AOT shares by issuing cheques to How Come's staff. They suspect the company workers were used as nominees.

Tassanawalai said the staff had the right to buy and sell shares like anyone else. She urged the AEC not to link the share purchase to politics, or she might see it as harassment.

she might see it as

- The Nation

Nominees for who? Couldn't be for Panthongtae, since as a Thai adult it isn't against the law for him to hold shares. It doesn't sound like a tax issue and miraculously, no foreigner has been accused. Actually, it does sound like harassment.

[John K]

More graft charges listed against Thaksin, wife

By Surasak Glahan and Ampa Santimatanedol

Mr Thaksin and his wife are accused of criminal offences, mainly under article 152 of the Criminal Code. It stipulates "harsher punishment" than normal for alleged conflict of interest in the 772-million-baht land deal with a state agency.

Udom Fuangfung, who heads the ASC inquiry team on this case said the Assets Scrutiny Committee has filed additional criminal charges against deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman, citing an alleged conflict of interest.

The committee also agreed that the land was wrongfully acquired and should be confiscated.

The special article used in the charges prohibits state officials from having any conflict of interest involving an agency they have the authority to oversee. If found guilty of an offence under this article, Mr Thaksin could face imprisonment of one to 10 years.

The ASC earlier accused the former prime minister of violating article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, which stipulates imprisonment of up to seven years as punishment, for entering into the deal with the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF), which sold the land. His wife is accused of collusion in the same act.

The inquiry panel also recommended that the land be confiscated, under article 33(2) of the Criminal Code, said Mr Udom.

However, this would be subject to the court's consideration once the case was filed by the Attorney-General, he added.

A focus of the additional accusations against Mr Thaksin is his alleged abuse of influence over the FIDF, which he had the authority to oversee, said Mr Udom.

Khunying Potjaman's entering into the land deal with a letter of consent given by her husband represented a conflict of interest because it was the intention of Mr Thaksin to seek benefits for the two of them or others, he said.

"The deal would never have taken place without the letter of consent from Mr Thaksin. This means that he had the intention of purchasing the land himself," said Mr Udom.

Mr Thaksin's lawyer, Noppadol Pattama, denied all the accusations yesterday, insisting the former prime minister had no authority over the fund.

He questioned the motives of the ASC in filing the additional charges, saying it reflected the panel's lack of certainty over its first accusation.

He saw it as an attempt to ensure that Mr Thaksin and his wife were found guilty of one offence or another.

The ASC yesterday also implicated five politicians and senior officials in the 6.7 billion-baht fire truck and fire boats deal with the Austrian firm Steyr Co.

They are former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, former interior minister Pokin Polakul, former deputy interior minister Pracha Maleenont, the former interior minister's assistant secretary Somsak Khunngern, and Pol Maj-Gen Athilak Tanchukiart, the former director of City Hall's disaster prevention and mitigation department.

The Interior Ministry oversees the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

ASC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang claimed the five violated article 157 of the Criminal Code by making mistakes or through dereliction of duty, which led to the inflated price for the 315 fire trucks and 30 boats from the Austrian supplier.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin was cleared of involvement in the alleged irregularities because he had no option but to issue a letter of credit for the purchase, Mr Sak said.

Mr Samak reacted angrily to the ASC decision, saying: "That's very stupid."

He did not understand why Mr Apirak was not implicated and did not agree with the ASC's decision because he was never summoned to clarify the issue before the committee previously.

Mr Samak signed the purchase contract on Aug 27, 2004, the last day of his tenure.

The ASC will file a complaint against the five with the Interior Ministry

[Tony Clifton]

Mr Samak reacted angrily to the ASC decision, saying: "That's very stupid."

He did not understand why Mr Apirak was not implicated and did not agree with the ASC's decision because he was never summoned to clarify the issue before the committee previously.

Mr Samak signed the purchase contract on Aug 27, 2004, the last day of his tenure.

THAT' S VERY STUPID!

Edited February 27, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[hammered]

Mr Samak reacted angrily to the ASC decision, saying: "That's very stupid."

He did not understand why Mr Apirak was not implicated and did not agree with the ASC's decision because he was never summoned to clarify the issue before the committee previously.

Mr Samak signed the purchase contract on Aug 27, 2004, the last day of his tenure.

THAT' S VERY STUPID!

With all the heinous acts Mr.Samak has been linked to it would be quite interesting if he got his come uppance through a common corruption case. His defence in this looks incredibly weak too. I could name a lot of peopl who will be partying if the Samak man goes down. Slightly off topic I also wonder how he found the time away from his ennui inducing TV programs and cookery courses to sign anything. He never seemed to have much time for Bangkok in the second half of his dismal governorship.

[Old Man River]

Mr Samak reacted angrily to the ASC decision, saying: "That's very stupid."

He did not understand why Mr Apirak was not implicated and did not agree with the ASC's decision because he was never summoned to clarify the issue before the committee previously.

Mr Samak signed the purchase contract on Aug 27, 2004, the last day of his tenure.

THAT' S VERY STUPID!

Over the years, there have been many contracts signed on or near the last day of someone's tenure, because if it is not, the next guy will come in and start the whole process over. When unsigned contracts are inherited, the new guy has the opportunity to get his piece of the action and everything gets delayed.

[Tony Clifton]

Looks more to me like hesitation and then greed taking over hours before leaving office.

[jumnien]

Anyone taking a look at property owned by Mrs. Gen. Surayud or Mrs. Gen. Sonthi? Should be some interesting revelations!

[Old Man River]

Looks more to me like hesitation and then greed taking over hours before leaving office.

I don't like Samak. Never have. However, if signing a contract late in the game of one's tenure is a crime, then there would be a long line of others in front of Samak.

[sriracha john]

Land deal: Thaksin, wife to be charged

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday decided to seek additional criminal charges against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Pojaman over a controversial land purchase, which could result in the plots in question being seized, a panel member said.

Udom Fuangfoong, chairman of the AEC subcommittee investigating the land deal, said the full panel resolved at last night's meeting to formally charge Thaksin and Pojaman in the case.

He said the couple would be charged with violating Article 152 of the Criminal Code for allegedly exploiting his position for personal gain, as well as certain provisions of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act.

The criminal offence carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of Bt20,000.

"The court can order seizure of land acquired through illegitimate bidding," Udom said.

He said the documents obtained by the AEC led it to believe that a number of Land Department officials were also involved in the alleged irregularities surrounding the land purchase from the government's Financial Institutions Development Fund. However, the AEC had found no proof against those officials.

The AEC had earlier charged Thaksin and Pojaman with violating Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Commission Act, which bans state officials and their spouses from having an interest in contracts made with state agencies under their supervision.

The Nation

[John K]

I can’t help but wonder what is going through Thaksin’s mind there last few days. Knowing his not back down nature I suspect some sort of major offensive in the very near future.

Any word on how much money he has at his disposal and how much is stuck in Thailand?