Deputy PM: Section 44 will not be enforced to seize assets

[webfact]

Deputy PM: Section 44 will not be enforced to seize assets

  

BANGKOK, 8 September 2016 (NNT) - Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has confirmed the government will not enforce Section 44 of the interim charter to seize assets in the rice pledging corruption case. However, he said the government was able to use the law to authorize the Law Execution Department to seize assets in compliance with an administrative order. 

The deputy PM explained that officials of a ministry could not seize assets of the wrongdoers in the cases with high cost of damage, such as the rice pledging corruption. The government was considering who would be in charge of the asset seizure, said Mr. Wissanu. 

There are the rumors that the Ministry of Commerce will exercise Section 44 to seize assets instead of using court proceedings. The Act on Liability for Wrongful Act of Official B.E. 2539 allows officials of a ministry to use an administrative order to seize assets. 

Mr. Wissanu added that the government was urgently processing the rice pledging corruption case since its statute of limitations was short. 

 

-- nnt 2016-09-08

[webfact]

DPM Wissanu confirms Article 44 won’t be invoked in court proceedings In rice subsidy case

  

BANGKOK, 8 September 2016 (NNT) – A deputy prime minister has confirmed that the government won't invoke Article 44 of the interim Constitution to pursue any action in court proceedings over alleged irregularities surrounding the previous administration’s rice subsidy program or government-to-government rice sales. 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said today that Article 44 won't be invoked after rumors had suggested that the Commerce Ministry would ask the government to do so in order to confiscate assets of those involved in any alleged irregularities related to rice subsidy and sale policies, instead of waiting for the court to make such an order. 

Mr. Wissanu said that the government will not use that power because there remains an active law suitable for such action when justified. 

However, he conceded that the confiscation of assets of former office holders or government officers in over 3,000 cases has been possible because the damage has not been large. 

On the contrary, recent cases involving rice, tapioca, corn and other agricultural products appear to have incurred high financial damages and the law he mentioned would not be sufficient for responsible ministries to reference, if they planned to seize any assets, he added. 

Mr. Wissanu went on to say that the pressing issue now is to determine who will be responsible for the pursuit of any such action, particularly when most cases come under a relatively short statute of limitations.

 

-- nnt 2016-09-08

[Thechook]

So what they're saying is, they will be the good guys and use article. 44 to order someone else to do their dirty work.  The  likes of djjamie will love this. It wasn't the regime it was them over there.

[Thailand]

Section 44 will no doubt be used and abused as required, it's the ultimate big stick.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Wissanu said that the government will not use that power because there remains an active law suitable for such action when justified. 

Mr. Wissanu also said he will not identify this last remaining active law for fear of it being shot down by masterminded people in black with ill intentions towards the country. Instead he will ask the DSI to put this endangered law in protective custody.

[Pib]

When it can''t be done lawfully, issue a Section 44 decree.   Highly recommended method to maintain totalitarian control.

 

[williamgeorgeallen]

have to wonder why they are drawing this thing out. are they hoping ying luck will do a runner and not be a problem any more. everyone under investigation over the rice scam must be hiding their assets deep. god know they have had time to.

[Lupatria]

Why not? It seems to work very well to seize an entire country?

[Srikcir]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Mr. Wissanu said that the government will not use that power because there remains an active law suitable for such action when justified. 

But " the law he mentioned would not be sufficient for responsible ministries to reference, if they planned to seize any assets"

It's really time for Wissanu to retire.

[maoro2013]

5 hours ago, Thechook said:

So what they're saying is, they will be the good guys and use article. 44 to order someone else to do their dirty work.  The  likes of djjamie will love this. It wasn't the regime it was them over there.

Exactly. What difference does the reported statement make?

[Eric Loh]

Why not use 44. They have the power and the guns. Who's going to question and risk hauled in. Resistance is futile in this current political state.

[KBsinter]

3 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

Why not use 44. They have the power and the guns. Who's going to question and risk hauled in. Resistance is futile in this current political state.

Totally agree,strange thinking going on.

[TPI]

I do believe this country is getting odder and odder!

[williamgeorgeallen]

13 hours ago, TPI said:

I do believe this country is getting odder and odder!

as long as it does not get more dangerous.

[JAG]

21 minutes ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

as long as it does not get more dangerous.

If you're on the wrong side it already is..

 

Ask Sondhi 

[williamgeorgeallen]

3 hours ago, JAG said:

If you're on the wrong side it already is..

 

Ask Sondhi 

cant see it getting any better. now the good general wants to take over running the elections as well. just goes on and on. to the guy who posted 'democracy has taken a back seat to the countries safety' do you still believe that?

[mtls2005]

Sounds like 3-card monte.

 

 

However, he said the government was able to use the law to authorize the Law Execution Department to seize assets in compliance with an administrative order. 
 

Same, same. Not different.

 

"Using" the "law" since 2014. Impartially of course. And all in the name of reconciliation.