Thaksin Accused By Assets Examination Committee On Deals

[Tony Clifton]

Seems every stone turned reveals a scam and another one on the TRT political path.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin explains lottery

A lawyer for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday submitted a written explanation to the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) defending the controversial two- and three-digit lottery that Thaksin initiated when in power.

Pramote Phongphromraj said the 542-page document would clearly demonstrate Thaksin's reasons for initiating the lottery, which has been under scrutiny by the current government. It will explain how its proceeds were legally spent and how its operation was lawful.

The document comprises 78 pages of Thaksin's explanation and another 464 pages featuring related documents and other evidence.

Pramote said the AEC had told him that its investigation into the lottery would be completed by the end of the month.

In the document, Thaksin issued a nine-point summary in his defence, saying the lottery in question was no different from all other government lotteries ever issued, and that only poor people and those in need benefited fully from it.

He also said the lottery had discouraged operators of underground lotteries and resulted in them scaling down their operations during his tenure.

"The two- and three-digit lottery brought back around 320 Billion Baht each year to Thai society from those illegal operators," he said.

The former PM said the Surayud Chulanont government's decision to operate a new lottery similar to the one he initiated was a clear testimony that his idea worked, while hardcore punters still wanted it to be continued and regularly showed there was demand for it.

- The Nation

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

He's claiming his lottery brought in a staggering 320 Billion Baht??? Where did it all go???

[TAWP]

Explanation of 78 pages?

The truth can be told in one sentence. BS takes a little bit more...

[John K]

A bit harsh, considering the amount of time it took the judgment for the dissolving of the TRT to be read. I will give Thaksin his chance here, however giving his track record with the truth... He may actually be in his element here of making business decisions and the lottery may have been for all the right reasons. But as said, “Where is the money?”

[Mid]

remember the 60 suitcases ??

Thaksin 'moved billions abroad'

AEC spokesman says funds were shifted shortly before, after coup

Published on September 8, 2007

[sriracha john]

I wonder how they spelled Tony Clifton's favorite politician's name on the documents....

USA documents 'reveal trail of CTX corruption'

Documents provided by the US Department of State clearly show who was involved in corruption in the procurement of CTX bomb scanners for Suvarnabhumi Airport, an Assets Examination Committee (AEC) member said yesterday.

Amnuay Thantara, who heads the AEC panel probe into the CTX scandal, said he found the documents translated so far to be very useful because they gave the complete picture of those who were behind the scenes and those who fronted the deal.

"The US documents show from the first step right up to before the CTX contract was signed,'' he said.

The AEC had asked the Immigration Bureau to check the travel records of people mentioned in the email between the Thai side and GE InVision, the manufacturer.

The email indicated the meeting and lobbying that took place before the purchase. Many Thai people were involved, as well as a Singaporean company, Amnuay said.

He said Worapoj Yasadatt, director of Patriot Business Consultants, a contractor of the airport for the CTX scanner purchase, was both in front and behind the scenes in the deal.

"After the man who sent the email testified to us, Worapoj called him immediately,'' he said.

The panel is also checking the financial transactions of Airports of Thailand executives.

A total of 38 people suspected to be involved in the alleged corruption have been formally notified of the charges they face.

Amnuay was speaking after meeting yesterday between AEC members, including Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka, and high-ranking Foreign Ministry officials over the problem of quickly translating documents from English to Thai.

The meeting agreed to set up a joint panel of specialists from Office of the Auditor-General, the AEC and the Foreign Ministry to translate English documents in all cases that the AEC is probing.

Meanwhile, Wiroj Laohapan, a member of an AEC panel probing alleged tax evasion in the Shin Corp share sale, said Pranee Wetchapruekpitak, a close aide of Pojaman Shinawatra, had postponed hearing the charges against her citing illness, and sent a lawyer to represent her.

However, the AEC insisted that she must hear the charges in person.

- The Nation

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

Nice to see the State Department from the USA is providing the evidence and seems to be cooperating fully with the government's case to indict Thaksin et al.

America can do something right, afterall.

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

With all this delay due to massive translation work being done, it's no small wonder the government wants all future contracts to be written in Thai before signing.

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

Oh.. and yet another attempt at delaying a court case by feigning illness.... what is it this time? A bad yeast infection requiring treatment in Taiwan?

Edited September 13, 2007 by sriracha john

[John K]

Actually just by the USA working with the Thai government shoots holes in Thaksin’s bit about the courts and Thailand not being fair or trust able and just a tool of the junta. In fact it is looking more and more like Thailand is being welcome into the folds again of democratic states.

[sriracha john]

AEC Discovers More Corrupted Officials in CTX Scandal

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday claimed that recent documents provided by the US Department of State had revealed the names of all individuals involved with corruption in the CTX bomb scanners procurement deal for the Suvarnabhumi Airport.

An AEC panel investigating the CTX scandal headed by Amnuay Thantara yesterday stated that U.S. documents for the deal that had already been translated, as it detailed on who was involved with initiating and signing off the contract during the tenure of the Thaksin’s administration.

The AEC panel along with leading Foreign Ministry officials met yesterday to discuss the problem of immediately translating the U.S. documents from English to Thai.

The meeting agreed to establish a joint committee of experts from the AEC, the Foreign Ministry and the Office of the Auditor-General to work on translating the English documents for all cases under the investigation of the committee.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, Amnuay mentioned an e-mail message between Thai officials and GE InVision, the CTX bomb scanners manufacturer which showed a meeting invitation and lobbied messages prior to closing the airport’s procurement deal.

He indicated that numerous Thai officials along with a Singaporean company were found meddling with the alleged scandal.

The AEC had made a request for the Immigration Bureau to check travel records of names mentioned in the e-mail message.

Amnuay revealed that Worapoj Yasadatt, director of Patriot Business Consultants, one of the contractors for the airport CTX scanner purchase, had been found involved with the scandal, both upfront and behind the deal.

Airports of Thailand executives found involved in the alleged corruption had already been notified by the AEC for their offenses, said Amnuay. He said that 38 suspects found entangled with the scandal would have their financial transaction checked by the committee.

- Thailand Outlook

[John K]

Thaksin set to follow Sharif and Estrada

A year after the military toppled his government, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra must be pondering his fate.

Will he have a chance to return home in triumph? Or will he face a similar fate to former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and former Philippine president Joseph Estrada?

Sharif was arrested last Monday, shortly after he tried to end a seven-year exile and landed at Islamabad. He had been convicted for corruption after his government was toppled in a military coup in 1999, but was later allowed to leave the country in an exile pact with Saudi Arabia. However, President Pervez Musharraf, who staged the coup, would not allow Sharif to return home. Barely four hours after landing, the former PM was whisked out of the country again.

And on Wednesday last week, deposed president Estrada was convicted and sentenced to life in prison after a landmark six-year trial on charges that he took bribes and kickbacks while in office. Estrada, a former film star who once pulled off the biggest election victory in Philippine history, was ousted in January 2001 by the country's second non-violent "people power" revolt.

Thaksin was also ousted from office by a military coup on September 19, 2006, on the grounds that he created disunity among the people, failed to show respect to the Monarchy, destroyed checks and balances in the political system and presided over a very corrupt regime. The sale of his family's business, Shin Corp, to Temasek Holdings of Singapore triggered the political crisis that eventually led to his downfall.

He would not want to return to Thailand now, knowing well that the corruption cases against him - from the Ratchadaphisek land deal, the CTX bomb scanner scandal to the Shin Corp deal - are serious matters. If he were to stand trial in Thailand, he would end up in prison like Estrada.

Already, Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, have been charged with entering into an illegal deal to buy land in Bangkok's Ratchadaphisek area from the Financial Institutions Development Fund.

The Department of Special Investigation has also charged him and his wife with concealing assets in Win Mark, an offshore company, without proper disclosure before the listing of SC Asset, the family's real-estate arm.

Public prosecutors are now exploring legal means to extradite Thaksin from Britain to stand trial in a Thai court.

Meanwhile, the Asset Examination Committee (AEC) has filed a suit and come up with damaging evidence against Thaksin and Pojaman for alleged asset concealment in Ample Rich Investments and Win Mark, which held shares in Shin Corp before the sale to Temasek. It is now trying to prove that while Thaksin served as prime minister, he still owned and controlled Shin Corp and implemented policies - such as revising telecom concessions, giving tax privileges to ShinSat and altering state concessions with iTV - to benefit Shin Corp. These matters represent a serious conflict of interest. The wealth Thaksin and his wife got from the sale of Shin was unusual and unjustified, the AEC concluded.

Based on this preliminary finding, the AEC has moved to freeze some Bt50 billion in assets belonging to Thaksin and Pojaman that they got from the sale of Shin Corp.

If Thaksin is found guilty of owning and controlling Shin while he was premier, he would lose all the assets that have been frozen, as Thai law prohibits the prime minister and ministers from holding more than 5 per cent in a business. It also bars them having any stake in any businesses that have concessions with state agencies.

Shin subsidiaries had several concessions with state agencies, from mobile phones and aviation to satellites and television.

Is the evidence against Thaksin and Pojaman over alleged asset concealment convincing?

After several months of thorough investigation, the AEC appears to have gathered enough material to nail the former PM. It has produced documents to show that while he served as prime minister, he allegedly still owned or controlled Ample Rich Investment, which in turn held 10 per cent in Shin Corp. Moreover, the AEC had also found Thaksin allegedly concealed his wealth in Win Mark, used to hold stocks in SC Asset and Shin.

Win Mark has also been accused of insider trading in Shin Corp stocks ahead of its sale to Temasek. The AEC is quite confident it has all enough evidence to make these charges stick once the case goes to trial. Ample Rich and Win Mark, which were established in the British Virgin Islands, will come back to haunt Thaksin. And the fate of his doomed future could hinge on these twin companies, which he created, from which he allegedly benefited, and as a result of which, he might lose everything.

Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

[sriracha john]

AEC will summon Dhipavadee and Surapong

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) will this week summon PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan to testify about her alleged involvement in approval of a large compensation to a company owned by ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra's family, even though the money should have been paid to a state agency.

Banjerd Singkaneti, an AEC member, said that Surapong Suebwonglee, who served as the information and communications technology minister when the controversy took place, would also be summoned to testify over the matter.

However, Banjerd declined to disclose the nature of questions his subcommittee would ask the two.

The latest move is part of an ongoing investigation by the subcommittee probing allegations of irregularities and vested interest against Thaksin.

Dhipavadee, when serving as permanent secretary of the Information and Communications Technology Ministry, approved insurance compensation of $33 million (about Bt1.2 billion) to Shin Satellite Plc for an accident of its Thaicom 3 satellite, according to a source familiar with the AEC investigation.

The compensation should have been paid to the ICT Ministry as the satellite is regarded as an asset of the agency, according to the source, who insisted on anonymity.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's phones tax defended

The Thaksin Shinawatra government's imposition of excise tax on telecom businesses was not intended to destroy the free market and block potential competitors, former ICT minister Surapong Suebwonglee said yesterday. He was speaking out against accusations by an Assets Scrutiny Committee team inquiring into the matter, led by Banjerd Sinkhaneti. The ASC has pressed a corruption charge against Thaksin for implementing the policy in 2003 to collect 10% excise tax from mobile phone businesses and 2% from landline operators. The panel ruled that the policy destroyed the free market because it obstructed newcomers from entering the business on fair terms. The policy allowed existing telecom business operators _ including Shin Corp, then owned by Thaksin's family _ to deduct the tax from their concession fees, while newcomers had to bear both tax and fee burdens, the panel said. The policy resulted in huge increases in Shin Corp's share values and was an abuse of power by Thaksin, according to the panel. It added that phone subscribers had been affected by high service charges.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Sep2007_news09.php

[Jai Dee]

Ex-PM’s daughter scheduled to meet AEC today

Daughter of the deposed prime minister Pinthongtha Shinawatra (พิณทองทา ชินวัตร) is scheduled to meet the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to gives testimonies concerning the Shin Corp share scandal this (September, 28th) morning. However, AEC says Miss Pinthongtha or her representative has yet confirmed the AECF whether she will testify in person as summoned.

Meanwhile, AEC’s subcommittee chaired by Klanarong Chantik (กล้านรงค์ จันทิก) invites Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan (ทิพาวดี เมฆสวรรค์) to provide information concerning the Thaicom (ไทยคม) Satellite as she was then permanent secretary of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 28 September 2007

[sriracha john]

Thaksin "not told of baht devaluation" *says former employee*

Former finance minister Thanong Bidaya yesterday said in testimony before the Assets Examination Committee that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had not been warned about the baht devaluation in 1997, according to an AEC source.

Thanong, who served as finance minister in the Chavalit government before the 1997 financial crisis, said that only three people had known about the devaluation decision beforehand, himself, prime minister Chavalit and Bank of Thailand governor Rerngchai Marakanond.

The AEC source also said Thanong had been asked about his relationship with Thaksin and Shin Corp, to which Thanong said that he had been made a Shin Corp director to help with fund-raising and foreign affairs. He was also quoted as saying that while serving as TMB Bank president, he had approved huge loans for the company.

Thanong, however, refused to answer reporters' questions. He emerged after eight hours and left without saying anything.

Meanwhile, AEC subcommittee chairman Viroj Laohapan said the panel would decide what to do about Thaksin's daughter Pinthongta's fourth no-show yesterday to testify over the Shin Corp share sales.

In a related development, PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, in testimony before the AEC, said the Transport Ministry had included a clause in the contract saying that the state had to pay insurance to Shin Satellite in case of accident.

Dhipavadee was answering an AEC summons about her approval of a US$33-million (Bt1.13-billion) insurance payment to Shin Satellite for an accident involving the Thaicom 3 satellite when she was permanent secretary of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry.

According to what she told reporters before leaving the AEC office, Dhipavadee testified that she had handled the matter with care, appointed a panel of experts to scrutinise the concession contract and followed every point in the contract.

Provision 37 of the contract stipulated that if the satellite needed repair or was damaged the ministry would make insurance payments to Shin Satellite.

She also defended the ministry's decision to alter the contract and reduce Shin Corp's stake in Shin Satellite from 51 per cent to 40 per cent without seeking Cabinet approval, which violates the Public-Private Joint Venture Act 1992.

Dhipavadee said she had sought the Office of the Attorney General's opinion and the office had recommended that the Cabinet decide on the matter since it was a national project. She said she had proposed the matter to the Cabinet for consideration but the Cabinet secretary-general had said the issue did not qualify for Cabinet consideration. She said that afterwards she had been transferred from the ICT to the Culture Ministry.

Dhipavadee said she would not resign in the wake of a move by the National Legislative Assembly to grill the Surayud Cabinet over its members' ethics. She said she would stay on to carry out her duties to the best of her ability.

- The Nation

Edited September 30, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Airport panel 'turned blind eye to graft'

An airport development committee is thought to have enabled corruption to flourish in certain projects under its scrutiny, says the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC). Amnuay Tantara, an ASC member, said his team expects to wrap up its probe into the multi-billion-baht procurement of Suvarnabhumi airport's baggage handling system, including the 26 CTX 9000 bomb scanners, this year. The procurement project is one of the three major corruption cases involving the airport's development which the ASC has investigated. The other two concern the development of the 26-billion-baht Airport Rail Link project, and the procurement of 1.9 billion baht worth of conduit pipes for power cables. The ASC's findings suggest that corruption in these deals might have been harder to orchestrate if a committee overseeing the airport's development had not bypassed all the usual scrutiny processes. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Development Committee (SADC) was itself involved in the highly questionable procurement deals. In 2002, the Thaksin Shinawatra government made changes to the committee, set up originally in 1982 as the New Bangkok International Airport Committee. Despite empowering it with similar functions, including budget planning and spending, Thaksin made a difference to the SADC by appointing himself as chairman of the committee which also comprised other cabinet members and top bureaucrats. In 2003 the SADC demanded more power. All procurements for projects under its supervision were granted an exemption from compliance with cabinet resolutions, orders and regulations which are usually applicable to procurements by state agencies. Also sitting on the SADC were the attorney-general and a member of the National Economic and Social Development Board who usually scrutinise national procurements. But this did not mean much in decision-making as the body was chaired by prime minister Thaksin, said the source. While the committee's decisions were subject to approval by cabinet, that did not make much difference either, as Thaksin was head of both entities. ''This means the prime minister supervised and administered the two processes which should have counterbalanced one another,'' said the source. ''It spoiled the scrutiny system and paved the way for corruption.'' In its report on the rail link project, the ASC says Thaksin dictated how project funding should be sought, dismissing the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) proposal for the government to allocate a state budget or seek loans from banks prior to hiring a contractor. He required that contractors should seek bank loans themselves. His directive eventually resulted in the SRT bearing all risks and a 1.6-billion-baht loan fee. The ASC found that only 400 million baht was paid to one bank as the fee and the 1.2 billion baht has gone missing. The panel is tracing the money.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Oct2007_news04.php

Edited September 30, 2007 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

For a brief moment, all of Thailand's social issues must have been miraculously solved when omnipresent PM Thaksin decided he had enough free time to appoint himself and act as chairman of the airport committee, unless it was a part-time job for pocket money.

Edited October 1, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[hammered]

Airport panel 'turned blind eye to graft'

An airport development committee is thought to have enabled corruption to flourish in certain projects under its scrutiny, says the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC). Amnuay Tantara, an ASC member, said his team expects to wrap up its probe into the multi-billion-baht procurement of Suvarnabhumi airport's baggage handling system, including the 26 CTX 9000 bomb scanners, this year. The procurement project is one of the three major corruption cases involving the airport's development which the ASC has investigated. The other two concern the development of the 26-billion-baht Airport Rail Link project, and the procurement of 1.9 billion baht worth of conduit pipes for power cables. The ASC's findings suggest that corruption in these deals might have been harder to orchestrate if a committee overseeing the airport's development had not bypassed all the usual scrutiny processes. The Suvarnabhumi Airport Development Committee (SADC) was itself involved in the highly questionable procurement deals. In 2002, the Thaksin Shinawatra government made changes to the committee, set up originally in 1982 as the New Bangkok International Airport Committee. Despite empowering it with similar functions, including budget planning and spending, Thaksin made a difference to the SADC by appointing himself as chairman of the committee which also comprised other cabinet members and top bureaucrats. In 2003 the SADC demanded more power. All procurements for projects under its supervision were granted an exemption from compliance with cabinet resolutions, orders and regulations which are usually applicable to procurements by state agencies. Also sitting on the SADC were the attorney-general and a member of the National Economic and Social Development Board who usually scrutinise national procurements. But this did not mean much in decision-making as the body was chaired by prime minister Thaksin, said the source. While the committee's decisions were subject to approval by cabinet, that did not make much difference either, as Thaksin was head of both entities. ''This means the prime minister supervised and administered the two processes which should have counterbalanced one another,'' said the source. ''It spoiled the scrutiny system and paved the way for corruption.'' In its report on the rail link project, the ASC says Thaksin dictated how project funding should be sought, dismissing the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) proposal for the government to allocate a state budget or seek loans from banks prior to hiring a contractor. He required that contractors should seek bank loans themselves. His directive eventually resulted in the SRT bearing all risks and a 1.6-billion-baht loan fee. The ASC found that only 400 million baht was paid to one bank as the fee and the 1.2 billion baht has gone missing. The panel is tracing the money.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01Oct2007_news04.php

Dont forget there was also the plan to turn the area around the new airport into a new super province with a lotof almost autonomous power. Stakes were very high on this one and a lot of people will be found to have dirty hands if there is ever a full investigation.

The above article ias an interesting study of how check and balance mechanisms are easily subverted.

[Plus]

Thaksin "not told of baht devaluation" *says former employee*

More like a personal banker, who'd be thrown to jail for years if he testified otherwise.

[sriracha john]

Airport panel 'turned blind eye to graft'

Thaksin made a difference to the SADC by appointing himself as chairman of the committee which also comprised other cabinet members and top bureaucrats. In 2003 the SADC demanded more power. All procurements for projects under its supervision were granted an exemption from compliance with cabinet resolutions, orders and regulations which are usually applicable to procurements by state agencies.

Don't forget there was also the plan to turn the area around the new airport into a new super province with a lotof almost autonomous power. Stakes were very high on this one and a lot of people will be found to have dirty hands if there is ever a full investigation.

The above article is an interesting study of how check and balance mechanisms are easily subverted.

Not forgotten at all... especially when thaivisa is such a fountain of easily findable information....

Suvarnabhumi Province to be established within this year

BANGKOK: -- The government plans to develop "Suvarnabhumi Maha Nakhon", consisting of the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and its surrounding areas into a new province within this year, according to Deputy Interior Minister Somchai Sunthornvut.

Mr. Somchai told journalists here on Wednesday that he expected the new province would be fully developed by May or June 2006, in time for the opening of the Suvarnabhumi Airport for commercial services in late June.

"Both the House of Representatives and the Senate are expected to deliberate and pass a legislation on the establishment of the new province, as proposed by the government, after they convene in the second quarter of this year," he said.

The province may be initially ruled by a state committee, headed by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra himself or a senior official authorized by the prime minister, according to the minister.

The administrative body will then appoint the new province's first governor.

"Elections of the mayor and members of the new province's local legislative body will be held within four years thereafter," said the minister.

--TNA 2006-02-16

a testament to the control and power he wielded without oversight... House of Reps, Senate, Cabinet... which he continued to expand on...

eg. a despot

Edited October 1, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Prosecutors to be handed 7 probe results soon

The Assets Examination Committee will hand over findings into seven corruption cases to prosecutors next month, its spokesman Sak Korsaen-gruang said yesterday.

The investigations to go to prosecutors for consideration are those into the airport baggage scanners, the Airport Rail Link, Suvarnabhumi Airport power, the two-and three-digit lottery, rubber saplings, Export-Import Bank loans to Burma, Krung Thai Bank loans and the Ua Athorn housing project.

The remainder of the committee's caseload will be submitted to prosecutors in March next year. If delays are encountered, some cases may not be transferred until June.

"We are confident that there will not be any cases left unfinished even though some witness testimony may be delayed,'' he said.

Sak was speaking on television programme Rak Ban Sang Muang on Channel 11. The committee has been working for one year.

He said the agency would continue working in its "straightforward manner" even though it has been sued for more than Bt100 billion.

The panel investigating former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for abuse of power for allegedly controlling his family's company while in office has questioned executives of more than 10 companies, its chief Klanarong Chantik said.

The companies are suspected of involvement in projects that received favour from the Thaksin administration.

Committee member Banjerd Singkaneti said the panel investigated possible violations of the Public-Private Joint Venture Act.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy secretary-general Thaworn Senneam testified in the airport luggage scanners case. He told the committee US-based GE InVision hired a company called Quatrotech to "rig the specification of the bomb scanners".

He testified about the contents of a telephone conversation between Patriot Business Consultants executive Worapoj Yosadatt and Theerawat Srichatrapimuk, secretary to then transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Airports of Thailand chairman Srisook Chandrangsu and Worawit Wisutrachai, a director of Quatrotech.

- The Nation

[Jai Dee]

AEC subcommittee files charges against Ex-PM in EXIM Bank case

The subcommittee scrutinizing a 4-billion baht loan released to Myanmar under the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) files charges against ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The AEC stated that it has solid evidences to prove that Dr Thaksin abused state power to seek benefits for his family’s businesses.

AEC Spokesman and Chairman of the subcommittee, Sak Korsaengruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง), reveals that the subcommittee is drafting the charges and report on the authorization of loan to Myanmar by the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM). The charges and the report will be submitted to the subcommittee’s meeting next Friday and to the AEC’s meeting on October, 15th.

Mr Sak says if AEC approves the charges, the subcommittee will inform the former premier of the charges and give him 15 days to testify against the subcommittee. The case will be forwarded to the Attorney-General and the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions respectively.

However, the chairman says the subcommittee will not file charges against ex-minister of foreign affairs Dr Surakiat Sathirathai (สุรเกียรติ เสถียรไทย) as there are not enough evidences. The subcommittee will invite DR Surakiat to give testimonies as witness of the case.

The subcommittee has decided to file charges against the deposed PM staing that the latter had directly gained benefits from the loan released to Myanmar. The 600 million baht loan was later used to buy equipments for the broadband Internet network from the Shin Satellite Company. The Shinawatra Family holds a majority of shares in Shin Satellite.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 October 2007

[John K]

1 down 6 to go.

[sriracha john]

ASC to prosecute Thaksin for Burma loan

Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) agreed to file charge against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra for abuse of his position in ordering an increase in the amount of the Export-Import Bank's soft loan to Burma. Thaksin has allegedly amassed in connection with the 4-billion-baht loans for Burma. At his intervention, the bank was ordered to increase its credit line for Burma from 3 billion baht. It is expected that prosecutors will file the case with the Criminal Court in December. Thaksin will be allowed to defend himself for 15 days after the case is filed, ASC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said. Mr Sak said the ASC will not file the charge against the then foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai because of insufficient evidence. Evidence prompted the ASC to believe that Thaksin forced Mr Surakiart to

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=122362

[sriracha john]

Records of airport phone calls sought

Records of telephone calls between executives of the Suvarnabhumi Airport and representatives of private firms involved in the procurement of the CTX baggage scanners would be used to get to the bottom of the case, according to the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) An ASC source said Thavorn Senniam, deputy Democrat secretary-general, recently supplied the ASC's sub-panel with information on the phone calls. Amnuay Tantara, who chairs the sub-panel, had earlier suggested the phone calls be also included in the probe.

Mr Amnuay's sub-panel is summing up all documentary evidence and witnesses' testimony against the 32 suspects in the CTX case. The 32 suspects charged by the ASC sub-panel with involvement in the alleged corruption scam include members of the Suvarnabhumi Airport board, the Airports of Thailand board, relevant private firms, deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. Meanwhile, the ASC's sub-panel investigating the frozen assets of the Shinawatra family yesterday invited the auditor of the Thaicom Foundation to reveal the source of the 200 million baht that the ASC has ordered frozen.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/06Oct2007_news13.php

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin lawyers demand a debate

Lawyers for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday challenged the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to a debate on its investigations, which they alleged ran against the rule of law and legal principle.Published on October 8, 2007

Vichit Plangsrisakul and Nikom Chaowakitisopon called a press conference at which they proposed that the AEC debate with them before the media or on a public stage whether their investigation of Thaksin was justified.

The lawyers claimed that more than half the country agreed with having the two-and three-digit lottery scheme, including nearly 150 members of the National Legislative Assembly who supported laws to allow the lotteries.

"This shows that some accusations that the AEC used to freeze Thaksin's assets worth over Bt70 billion have no grounds,'' Vichit said.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang responded by saying the panel's role was not to debate with the accused. "I do not believe that the plaintiffs and defendants should debate. We have a duty to investigate, not debate,'' he said.

AEC member Udom Fuangfung said the AEC had to investigate the two-and three-digit lottery scheme because the Thaksin government did not handle it in a straightforward manner since the money earned did not go into state coffers.

What the government and the NLA want to do is to ensure that the lottery scheme is carried out legally and correctly, he said.

Source: The Nation - 08 October 2007

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin lawyers demand a debate

Lawyers for deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday challenged the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to a debate on its investigations, which they alleged ran against the rule of law and legal principle.Published on October 8, 2007

Vichit Plangsrisakul and Nikom Chaowakitisopon called a press conference at which they proposed that the AEC debate with them before the media or on a public stage whether their investigation of Thaksin was justified.

The lawyers claimed that more than half the country agreed with having the two-and three-digit lottery scheme, including nearly 150 members of the National Legislative Assembly who supported laws to allow the lotteries.

"This shows that some accusations that the AEC used to freeze Thaksin's assets worth over Bt70 billion have no grounds,'' Vichit said.

AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang responded by saying the panel's role was not to debate with the accused. "I do not believe that the plaintiffs and defendants should debate. We have a duty to investigate, not debate,'' he said.

AEC member Udom Fuangfung said the AEC had to investigate the two-and three-digit lottery scheme because the Thaksin government did not handle it in a straightforward manner since the money earned did not go into state coffers.

What the government and the NLA want to do is to ensure that the lottery scheme is carried out legally and correctly, he said.

Source: The Nation - 08 October 2007

A debate? Thats quite ironic coming from the man who shied away from every single debate proposed in the past by his political opponents. Again, now he wants his lawyers to debate, not him. Same guy who as PM used to hide up North when he refused to answer to journalists about controversies. Still a coward.

How about debating in court?

Edited October 8, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

A debate?

Are we sure these guys are really attorneys?

Are they really that unfamiliar with how things work? :D

[Tony Clifton]

Anyways with his actions and defiance in the last year, he's destroyed any chance of negotiations and forgiveness. This is only a small step to try and avoid showing up in court for this particular case with the government going ahead with the lottery, a pretty lame excuse compared to the other cases with which I'm sure he'd love to try "debating" instead of facing justice. Same justice system he still today uses to throw lawsuit left andf right by the way.

[sriracha john]

another non-debatable item...

AEC panel decides to recommend charging Thaksin over Ex-Im Bank's loan

A sub-committee of the Assets Examination Committee resolved Friday to recommend the full panel to file charges against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over the approval of a loan for the Burmese government.

Sak Korsaengruang, chairman of the sub-committee, said the secretary of his panel would draft the suit for the full panel to approve for charging Thaksin in the Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders.

Thaksin was accused of abusing his authority to have his government approve a 4 Billion Baht loan for the Burmese government to purchase services and products from Shin Corp, which was owned by his family at that time.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

and another....

The Assets Examination Commission (AEC) is expected to complete its first probe into the Ua Arthon housing project by November and all other allegations surrounding the Thaksin government by December, AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengrueng said yesterday.

The irregularities in the housing project were questionable, unfair quotas were allotted to contractors, and suspicious qualifications set for those awarded building contracts, Sak said.

He added that seven Ua Arthon projects were found to have such irregularities.

- The Nation

[John K]

Requesting a debate like this reflects a very weak position from the Thaksin legal team. If they had any kind of solid defense they would be looking to get into court and get this behind them.