THAI bribery probe faces statute of limitations hurdle

[webfact]

THAI bribery probe faces statute of limitations hurdle
By THE NATION

 

 

BANGKOK: -- NACC wants investigation into payments by rolls-royce to be speeded up; |two cases facing severe time pressure.

 

TWO NATIONAL anti-corruption agencies are investigating an alleged bribery scandal involving Thai Airways International (THAI)’s purchase of engines from the British engineering giant Rolls-Royce.

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) needed to expedite the probe as the statute of limitations for certain cases were likely to expire soon, NACC member Preecha Lertkamolmart said yesterday.

 

Meanwhile, the Auditor-General’s Office has begun investigating the alleged bribery, Auditor-General Pisit Leelavachiropas said yesterday.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30304495

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-20

[ChrisY1]

Use sect. 44 to change these statutes of limitations....not hard, 'cos it's used for everything else.

BUt I understand why it would be prudent to allow the time to expire.....can't really expose the elite!

[smutcakes]

34 minutes ago, ChrisY1 said:

Use sect. 44 to change these statutes of limitations....not hard, 'cos it's used for everything else.

BUt I understand why it would be prudent to allow the time to expire.....can't really expose the elite!

 

Great post, this is something that would be widely supported for the use of Section 44.

 

That fact the probe if carried out properly would probably snare some very well connected and Armed forces members probably means it wont be, and the limitations will be allowed to expire.

 

On the minuscule chance anyone was prosecuted they will just be patsies.

[robblok]

I said it a million time.. remove the statute of limitations for all corruption cases past and present and future. It would do a lot of good.... but a lot of people would oppose it, I guess it would be one point where Thaksin and the so called elite agree upon. 

 

 

[rkidlad]

I see Indonesia 'seem' to be taking their problems with this much more seriously. Nice to see when a developing country realises that big buildings and subway trains are not a country truly developing. Going after corrupt officials, etc, is. 

[Baerboxer]

4 hours ago, smutcakes said:

 

Great post, this is something that would be widely supported for the use of Section 44.

 

That fact the probe if carried out properly would probably snare some very well connected and Armed forces members probably means it wont be, and the limitations will be allowed to expire.

 

On the minuscule chance anyone was prosecuted they will just be patsies.

 

Can they actually use Article 44 for this? If so why wasn't it used on Yingluck current case, and that of those in the fake G2G rice frauds rather than trying to seize money?

 

Article 44 seems to be something that isn't used as much as people assumed it would. If they used it to extend the statute of limitations on serious fraud cases a great many people would be stuffed. Or cases like Red Bull boy whose rely on SOL?

 

But that would be a step toward reforming the judicial system and laws, heaven forbid.

[Srikcir]

29 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

Can they actually use Article 44 for this?

In December 2016 Prayut issued Order 69/2016 to to remove the statute of limitations for those facing illegal fishing charges.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/956353-fishing-foes-not-forgotten-prayuth-revokes-statute-of-limitations-for-illegal-fishing-infractions/#comment-11383905

It wouldn't be unreasonable from Prayut to do the same for the Thai Airways bribery charges - but it might be out of character if charges might potentially reach into the ranks of the "connected" and/or military.

[mtls2005]

I'm fairly certain that if any red shirts had been involved the statute of limitations could have been worked around.

 

As it is they still should identify the recipients of RR's largesse and at least shame them. But maybe they are ex-RTAF and/or other highly connected folks so hands-off.

[Baerboxer]

40 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

In December 2016 Prayut issued Order 69/2016 to to remove the statute of limitations for those facing illegal fishing charges.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/956353-fishing-foes-not-forgotten-prayuth-revokes-statute-of-limitations-for-illegal-fishing-infractions/#comment-11383905

It wouldn't be unreasonable from Prayut to do the same for the Thai Airways bribery charges - but it might be out of character if charges might potentially reach into the ranks of the "connected" and/or military.

 

He shouldn't cherry pick cases. He either uses it on all serious cases, especially where lawyers and accused have been deliberately evasive and procrastinating, or done a runner or not at all.

 

I'd like to see him extend all such cases involving serious fraud, corruption and deaths.

[catinthehat]

47 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

In December 2016 Prayut issued Order 69/2016 to to remove the statute of limitations for those facing illegal fishing charges.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/956353-fishing-foes-not-forgotten-prayuth-revokes-statute-of-limitations-for-illegal-fishing-infractions/#comment-11383905

It wouldn't be unreasonable from Prayut to do the same for the Thai Airways bribery charges - but it might be out of character if charges might potentially reach into the ranks of the "connected" and/or military.

He must be careful where he implements this as in TG it s controlled by Air Force Officers. Remember the military is above corruption and thus not had to submit their wealth statements.

[Jonmarleesco]

So what happened between yesterday, when the SoL was not going to be a problem, and today, when it is suddenly urgent?

[FredNL]

In China, corrupt officials and business are getting the death penalty. Would be a good thing in Thailand.

[elgordo38]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

as the statute of limitations for certain cases were likely to expire soon, NACC

I guess for some people that time cannot come fast enough. Good to know that corruption cases have expiry dates. As there are so many I guess the expiry date is a must as without it a logjam would occur. 

[CantSpell]

1 hour ago, catinthehat said:

He must be careful where he implements this as in TG it s controlled by Air Force Officers. Remember the military is above corruption and thus not had to submit their wealth statements.

 

Aye and we also know that 44 is used mainly as a show-off, cannot use it for too serious matters, which could bring conflict of interest.. 

 

Or make the bosses angry :)