Deadly deeds: Death of former Phuket Land chief lifts lid on island’s corrupt, murderous past

The Phuket News

 

The death of former Phuket Provincial Land Office Chief Thwatchai Anukul has lifted the lid on decades of corrupt land deals in Phuket. Photo: The Phuket News

 

PHUKET: -- The conspicuous death of Thawatchai Anukul, a fugitive of 13 years wanted for illegally issuing at least hundreds of illegal land titles during his three years as Phuket Land Office Chief ending in 2003, has lifted the lid on a sordid career of corruption at the Phuket Provincial Land Office.

 

The circumstances of his death in his cell at the headquarters of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Bangkok within hours of his arrest on Monday (see story here) – have only fuelled speculation that Thawatchai was murdered to silence him.

 

An inquiry has been launched into the initial claims by DSI Director-General Pol Col Paisit Wongmuang that Thawatchai died after attempting to commit suicide by hanging himself with his socks. The assertion flies in the face of autopsy results revealed by police coronoers that Thawatchai suffered severe internal injuries that may have caused his death. 

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/deadly-deeds-death-of-former-phuket-land-chief-lifts-lid-on-island-corrupt-murderous-past-58970.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2016-09-05

Perhaps the headline should read...

"Deadly deeds: Death of former Phuket Land chief lifts lid on island’s corrupt, murderous past (and present)"

A mafia paradise in every sense of the word. I just feel for the honest, hard working people down there having to work under these corrupt, despicable clowns.

A s#!t show in every sense of the word.

There's no talk of investigation of who had access to Anakul's cell in the DSI building...... Deafening silence.

This one will surely end quietly. What about the rich landowner?

31 minutes ago, tomwct said:

This one will surely end quietly. What about the rich landowner?

It will be a true measure of how serious the current administration is about corruption, it will be the biggest scandal seen in Thailand to date or nothing

This has been ongoing in the Phuket land office for a long time. Even some of the more recent big shots that get appointed posts have been indicted for applying their signatures. Corruption and greed, corruption and greed...................

You only have to read Thaivisa to find out, that Thainess translates into greed, fraud and corruption.

This is the first time I've seen someone questioning personal savings when income is so low. Too bad it's just an assistant they're wondering about.

18 minutes ago, fxe1200 said:

You only have to read Thaivisa to find out, that Thainess translates into greed, fraud and corruption.

greed and corruption can flourish any where it allowed to flourish.

It is a rare thing for them to even admit such a thing. That kind of tells you just how bad it is.

1 hour ago, z42 said:

A mafia paradise in every sense of the word. I just feel for the honest, hard working people down there having to work under these corrupt, despicable clowns.

A s#!t show in every sense of the word.

 

2 hours ago, useronthenet said:

Perhaps the headline should read...

"Deadly deeds: Death of former Phuket Land chief lifts lid on island’s corrupt, murderous past (and present)"

Why comment specifically on corruption in Thailand?

 

The same corruption is presently happening worldwide, and has been going on for a thousand years!

 

No surprise to anyone that has studied economic history and has tracked worldwide, financial trends over the last 20 years.

 

I'm at a loss to understand why there are so many negative comments about Thailand?  The content is disgusting.

 

Thailand protects  it's sovereignty, no media discrimination and very few demonstrations like in most countries.  Very little crime considering it's population and the millions of tourists and expats that visit and live here. Healthy, plentiful food and water at a reasonable price.  Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions. Very little extreme weather,  no volcanic activity and very little concern about earthquakes. 

 

Be happy and thankful you are here while many of your home countries are in serious trouble.

"Why comment specifically on corruption in Thailand?"

 Perhaps because this is THAI visa forum, and we are talking about corruption in Thailand? I could be mistaken....

I would think if one was in this position one would make it very clear that documents would be release thru numerous channels upon any suspicious death. But upon living here I've realized quite stupid people get seriously wealthy just by buying or being the right position.

37 minutes ago, whaleboneman said:

This is the first time I've seen someone questioning personal savings when income is so low. Too bad it's just an assistant they're wondering about.

A plausibility test between income and wealth of senior officials in Provincial Land Offices would definitely bring interesting results.
Since there are certainly some, who have private unusually a large number of land parcels, money in their bank accounts , the newest luxury cars,  the biggest fat gold rings on their fingers and top brand gold watches  on their wrists.

23 minutes ago, Kabula said:

 

Why comment specifically on corruption in Thailand?

 

The same corruption is presently happening worldwide, and has been going on for a thousand years!

 

No surprise to anyone that has studied economic history and has tracked worldwide, financial trends over the last 20 years.

 

I'm at a loss to understand why there are so many negative comments about Thailand?  The content is disgusting.

 

Thailand protects  it's sovereignty, no media discrimination and very few demonstrations like in most countries.  Very little crime considering it's population and the millions of tourists and expats that visit and live here. Healthy, plentiful food and water at a reasonable price.  Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions. Very little extreme weather,  no volcanic activity and very little concern about earthquakes. 

 

Be happy and thankful you are here while many of your home countries are in serious trouble.

you either have a serious case of denial. are a government shill or you're just plain dumb!

No media discrimination? 

Very little crime?  Go back to your Chang buddy, I think you fired your limited grey matter beyond repair already.

Very little concern about earthquakes?  Tell that to the folks in Phuket and along that coast.

The fact that you can't understand the longer reach and consequences of an earthquake off, say, Sumatra, pretty much explains your apparent inability to look beyond the surface "face" and government propaganda here.

Enjoy your time in Lala Land!!

32 minutes ago, Kabula said:

 

Why comment specifically on corruption in Thailand?

 

The same corruption is presently happening worldwide, and has been going on for a thousand years!

 

No surprise to anyone that has studied economic history and has tracked worldwide, financial trends over the last 20 years.

 

I'm at a loss to understand why there are so many negative comments about Thailand?  The content is disgusting.

 

Thailand protects  it's sovereignty, no media discrimination and very few demonstrations like in most countries.  Very little crime considering it's population and the millions of tourists and expats that visit and live here. Healthy, plentiful food and water at a reasonable price.  Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions. Very little extreme weather,  no volcanic activity and very little concern about earthquakes. 

 

Be happy and thankful you are here while many of your home countries are in serious trouble.

 

The same tiresome post again and again. Someone should check if these people enlightening us 'it' happens in [your country] too, if these are the same people who do the 'my one is different' topics.

 

"Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions."

 

 

Going down with the good ship Reasonable Price.

 

 

Seems like an equal amount of lack of imagination:

"Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions."

 

4 hours ago, useronthenet said:

Perhaps the headline should read...

"Deadly deeds: Death of former Phuket Land chief lifts lid on island’s corrupt, murderous past (and present)"

You mean "Past, Present and Future".

Only way to fix Phuket is for the military to come down and stomp with the heavy military boot....

6 minutes ago, AlQaholic said:

Only way to fix Phuket is for the military to come down and stomp with the heavy military boot....

Agreed, assuming they'd be willing to stomp on a few of their own toes in the process.

 

1 hour ago, Kabula said:

The same corruption is presently happening worldwide, and has been going on for a thousand years!

 

 

Maybe so, but that's no excuse for not trying to end as much as possible. After all, slavery, human trafficking and the exploitation of women is going on today and has been for thousands of years. Do you advocate not doing anything about that?

In discussing the corruption and the possibility of an examination of assets of individuals in the Land Office Thailand, they should also include a close look at the at the monies of the current senior administration and it's true origin....it is amazing that senior "government" members have the ability to amass what would be considered extreme wealth when receiving the amount of pay during their working career. Maybe they should "all" become financial managers for their seemingly astute financial management which has enabled them to amass millions and in some cases billions of baht , all while receiving salaries that would amount to around 45,000 U.S per year (on the high side)

Augias (or Augeias or Augeas)

You Farangs just do not understand that the web is so entangled, any attempt to investigate will end up biting you and or your mates in the bum.

They just cannot help themselves

2 hours ago, Kabula said:

 

Why comment specifically on corruption in Thailand?

 

The same corruption is presently happening worldwide, and has been going on for a thousand years!

 

No surprise to anyone that has studied economic history and has tracked worldwide, financial trends over the last 20 years.

 

I'm at a loss to understand why there are so many negative comments about Thailand?  The content is disgusting.

 

Thailand protects  it's sovereignty, no media discrimination and very few demonstrations like in most countries.  Very little crime considering it's population and the millions of tourists and expats that visit and live here. Healthy, plentiful food and water at a reasonable price.  Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions. Very little extreme weather,  no volcanic activity and very little concern about earthquakes. 

 

Be happy and thankful you are here while many of your home countries are in serious trouble.

This article happens to be, IF YOU DIDN'T NOTICE, about Thailand....NOT someone's home country or the rest of the world.

5 hours ago, z42 said:

A mafia paradise in every sense of the word. I just feel for the honest, hard working people down there having to work under these corrupt, despicable clowns.

A s#!t show in every sense of the word.

Yes they will also lift the rug and get the brooms out this is the last you will hear on the matter. There should be an "honest" special committee looking into this and follow the money back. The key word being honest. This investigation should not be completed until all 1,000 or more illegal transactions are investigated and settled and if the people bribed someone to get their chanote kick them off the land and throw em into jail. Again they are trying to make this man's death look like a suicide case closed deal. I see the Boonie guy walked under suspicious circumstances as well. Of course Apple and their 1% to .005% tax rate in Ireland make this guy look like a piker. 

25 minutes ago, fish monger said:

This article happens to be, IF YOU DIDN'T NOTICE, about Thailand....NOT someone's home country or the rest of the world.

As the judge said to the lawyer "I will give you a little latitude."

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The circumstances of his death in his cell at the headquarters of Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Bangkok within hours of his arrest on Monday (see story here) – have only fuelled speculation that Thawatchai was murdered to silence him.

 

 

Only in a banana republic you would get away with this.

3 hours ago, Kabula said:

 

Why comment specifically on corruption in Thailand?

 

The same corruption is presently happening worldwide, and has been going on for a thousand years!

 

No surprise to anyone that has studied economic history and has tracked worldwide, financial trends over the last 20 years.

 

I'm at a loss to understand why there are so many negative comments about Thailand?  The content is disgusting.

 

Thailand protects  it's sovereignty, no media discrimination and very few demonstrations like in most countries.  Very little crime considering it's population and the millions of tourists and expats that visit and live here. Healthy, plentiful food and water at a reasonable price.  Beautiful women and entertainment that attracks millions. Very little extreme weather,  no volcanic activity and very little concern about earthquakes. 

 

Be happy and thankful you are here while many of your home countries are in serious trouble.

This topic is about corruption in Thailand. It's disgusting to shift these terrible crimes to the world. This is exactly how the Thais do it here which corruption can thrive as luxuriantly. fight corruption wherever it leads and not from all corruption here in Thailand.

1 minute ago, Broeno said:

This topic is about corruption in Thailand. It's disgusting to shift these terrible crimes to the world. This is exactly how the Thais do it here which corruption can thrive as luxuriantly. fight corruption wherever it leads and not from all corruption here in Thailand.

????? Impressed the hell out of me. Whats he saying?