Thaksin Accused By Assets Examination Committee On Deals

[sriracha john]

Suriya must explain corruption allegations

BANGKOK - An Assets Examination Committee (AEC) sub-committee probing alleged irregularities in an electrical power cable-laying project related to Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi international airport has ordered former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit to provide more information by next Wednesday, according to sub-committee chairwoman Jaruvan Maintaka.

Khunying Jaruvan said the deadline was set after Suriya failed to appear before the sub-committee on Thursday (Oct 25) to defend himself regarding charges of alleged corruption in connection with the project.

Instead, the former Transport Minister assigned his personal secretary to carry a letter to the sub-committee saying that he would be willing to testify, but asked to postpone his appearance for 10 days, said Jaruvan.

Rejecting the longer postponement, the sub-committee agreed to delay the hearing only until Wednesday (Oct 31), but if Suriya fails to report at that time the sub-committee would interpret his action as indicating non-compliance regarding the panel's request for more information regarding the charges, she said.

Khunying Jaruvan said the sub-committee already has sufficient evidence in hand and that the probe could be concluded by the end of December and forwarded to the courts for prosecution.

Suriya, who was concurrently a Deputy Prime Minister in the former government of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is also being investigated for alleged irregularities in three other projects, including the Suvarnabhumi airport CTX bomb detector procurement, as well as similar concerns regarding construction of the new airport's rail link and the rubber sapling purchase scheme.

- MCOT

[Tony Clifton]

[Jai Dee]

Prosecution admits evidence against Thaksin may be insufficient to prompt extradition

Office of the Attorney General Foreign Prosecutors Division Director Sampan Sarathana (สัมพันธ์ สาระธนะ) has revealed that after traveling to meet with British officials to discuss the case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra concerning the Ratchada land scandal. He said that evidence may not be sufficient to prompt an extradition. He stated that concrete evidence has only been found in the Ratchada land scandal while other cases, such as the Shin Corporation case are still under investigation.

Nonetheless Mr. Sampan states that prosecutors will continue to work at their utmost and believes that if more documentation can be amassed in the coming 2-3 months a formal request can be given the British government.

Mr. Sampan also commented that prosecutors will likely not travel to the United Kingdom again as all correspondence is being done via the internet.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 October 2007

[sriracha john]

ASC: Thaksin proposed increasing Burma loan

Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra proposed increasing an Export-Import Bank of Thailand loan to Burma by one billion baht, according to the ASC. The former Thaksin administration is being investigated for improprieties over the loan, which was increased to four billion baht from three billion. Sak Korsaengruang, chairman of the ASC's sub-panel investigating the case said Thaksin proposed the one-billion-baht extension himself. The cabinet had nothing to do with the proposal, Mr Sak said after meeting with former Cabinet Secretary-General Borwornsak Uwanno, who was asked to testify in the case. Mr Sak said Borwornsak verified some documents that had been forwarded to the Cabinet, bringing about the resolution to approve the four-billion-baht soft loan to Burma by the bank. The deal requires the Finance Ministry to subsidise interest on the loan, provided to Burma at 3% while the true cost to Exim Bank was 4-5%. The Finance Ministry was also required to cover any losses by Exim Bank from the loan extension, Mr Sak said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/31Oct2007_news09.php

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

A good example of how Thaksin enriched himself even further at taxpayer expense.

Edited October 31, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thaksin role in Burma loan

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra alone approved the 1 Billion Baht credit increase to Burma, a source said yesterday.

Former Cabinet Secretary-General Borwornsak Uwanno was summoned by the Assets Examination Committee to clarify a document put on the Cabinet agenda to approve an increase in the credit line to Burma to 4 Billion Baht.

The Cabinet did not publicly acknowledge the increase. Thaksin brought the matter to the Cabinet, which approved it, the source said.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

MALFEASANCE ACCUSATIONS

Sub-panel to wrap up inquiry into digit lottery on Nov 14

The Assets Scrutiny Committee's (ASC) sub-committee looking into the digit lottery irregularities will wrap up its inquiry on Nov 14. Udom Fuangfung, chairman of the sub-committee, said the panel has completed its deliberations on statements submitted by those accused of malfeasance in the lottery scheme. The findings will be finalized when the sub-panel meets on Nov 14 and submitted to the ASC for further consideration, he said. The accused are 32 former cabinet ministers, including deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra and 17 members of the board of the Government Lottery Office (GLO) who were involved in the 2003 launch of the digit lottery. The sub-committee will recommend both civil and criminal charges against the alleged wrongdoers, including embezzlement and unauthorized tax exemption, he said. Based on the Thaksin cabinet's resolution, the GLO failed to submit tax income from the digit lottery sales to the state. The damage incurred was estimated at some 37.79 billion baht. ''The main offense involves income tax which carries a 20-year jail term."

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/03Nov2007_news02.php

[sriracha john]

As for developments in the investigation into other corruption charges, the AEC's spokesperson says the letter clarifying corruption charges of unlawfully approving a 4 billion baht loan for Burma against exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that was sent to his residence in London has already been sent back to the panel on October 30, so the deposed premier is allowed to contest the charges within 15 days of the letter's return.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has already forwarded the translated documents, regarding the controversial purchase of the CTX 9000 bomb scanners to the AEC's sub-panel responsible for the case for verification.

The investigations are expected to be completed by December.

At the same time, the sub-panel investigating the controversial Cabinet resolution on the distribution of the 2 and 3 digit lotteries will also hold a meeting to conclude its investigation on November 14. The examinations into other charges over the previous administration's procurement of rubber sapling and Thaksin's abuses of power are also expected to be completed by the end of this month.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

The list of Thaksin's scandals and scams grows even longer.... again typified as.... hastily thrown together and with cronyism that lined the pockets of his buddies with billions of taxpayer's money....

Chiang Mai mega-projects frozen

Two controversial Chiang Mai mega-projects from ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration - an elephant reserve and a cable car to Doi Suthep - have been postponed indefinitely due to the possibility of negative effects on the fragile ecosystem of the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.

However, the Chiang Mai Night Safari will remain open for the time being, said members of a forum held last week to discuss the future of all three projects.

The forum was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Social Development and Human Security Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham, who admitted that the Night Safari and the pending projects had created conflict and consternation amongst Chiang Mai residents.

While the long-term future of the Night Safari is uncertain, Paiboon said it would be difficult to close it down at this time, but improvements and some changes were justified. He hopes that these changes will satisfy all parties who have objected to the tourist attraction in the past.

The management of the Night Safari will be transferred to the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, and there is a possibility that an advisory committee made up of local residents will be created in order to involve the community in the initiative.

- The Nation

UPDATE

Wilder Nights

Chiang Mai Night Safari is planning a host of activities to attract more tourists and boost revenue to survive and prepare for its planned transfer to be supervised by a new company. The Cabinet in February decided that the Night Safari would be moved from under the supervision of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), a public organisation established in 2003 by the Thaksin Shinawatra government to manage the safari park and other tourism attractions such as Koh Chang island off Trat province. Under the transfer plan a new company owned by the state will be formed to run the 1.15-billion-baht Night Safari and hopefully manage it better. Located on 819 rai in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, the Night Safari is connected by a 60-seater tram service. The zoo now has 1,700 animals. The Night Safari was part of the Chiang Mai World mega-project under ousted PM Thaksin's ambitious scheme to turn his home province into a world-class tourist attraction. Other projects are the Elephant Park, the Flora Ratchaphruek 2006 exposition and the 15-kilometre cable car in Suthep-Pui National Park. Some of these projects drew strong protests from local residents and environmentalists, who alleged they violated the national park by encroaching on protected areas.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/24Nov2007_news29.php

[younghusband]

ASC: Thaksin proposed increasing Burma loan

Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra proposed increasing an Export-Import Bank of Thailand loan to Burma by one billion baht, according to the ASC. The former Thaksin administration is being investigated for improprieties over the loan, which was increased to four billion baht from three billion. Sak Korsaengruang, chairman of the ASC's sub-panel investigating the case said Thaksin proposed the one-billion-baht extension himself. The cabinet had nothing to do with the proposal, Mr Sak said after meeting with former Cabinet Secretary-General Borwornsak Uwanno, who was asked to testify in the case. Mr Sak said Borwornsak verified some documents that had been forwarded to the Cabinet, bringing about the resolution to approve the four-billion-baht soft loan to Burma by the bank. The deal requires the Finance Ministry to subsidise interest on the loan, provided to Burma at 3% while the true cost to Exim Bank was 4-5%. The Finance Ministry was also required to cover any losses by Exim Bank from the loan extension, Mr Sak said.

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A good example of how Thaksin enriched himself even further at taxpayer expense.

Do you know or care what export-import banks do by way of concessional finance for exporting companies and not just in Thailand? Do you know or care that in the Exim Bank Burma loan only a relatively small proportion was related to Thaksin's corporate interests? Do you know or care that Thaksin's broadly supportive attitude to the Burmese junta, as exemplified by the Exim Bank credits, is mirrored by the present Thai junta? Do you know or care that Exim Bank/Ministry of Finance did due diligence on the proposed credits and that the interest/principal has been punctiliously serviced by the Burmese Government?

Or does the truth get in the way of the barrage of lies and misinformation? It's all a bit pointless really as serious debate doesn't really take place here any more, just juntophiles talking to juntophiles in the main.

For what it's worth I disapproved of the Exim Bank action then and I disapprove of it now.

[sriracha john]

Prosecutors drop charges against The Nation group papers

State prosecutors have dropped charges filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) against The Nation, Krungthep Turakij and Kom Chad Luek newspapers for alleged disclosure of state secrets.

The case dates back to February 25, 2002, when Pol Colonel Sihanat Prayoonrat of AMLO illegally sought to obtain the personal banking information of some of the Nation Multimedia Group's senior editors and other persons.

Later, The Nation and its sister newspapers published the AMLO's list of people and business entities whose bank accounts had been investigated illegally.

The agency reacted by filing charges of leaking state secrets.

However, prosecutors at the Office of the Attorney-General have determined that the case should be dropped because Pol Colonel Sihanat acted without proper authorisation when he sought the information from banks and financial institutions.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Thailand's former PM faces more graft charges

Investigators in Thailand say ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will face three new graft charges.

Two of the charges deal with telecom giant Shin Corp, which Mr Thaksin's family sold to Singapore's state linked Temasek Holdings nearly two years ago. While the third charges him with abusing his power in other state dealings.

Mr Thaksin already faces two arrest warrants over two earlier corruption charges.

But he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and says the charges will not affect his ownership of English Premier League's third ranked club, Manchester City.

The latest charges accuse Mr Thaksin of illegally concealing a controlling stake in Shin Corp when he first became prime minister in 2001 and illegally using his political power to benefit the corporation.

If convicted of all charges, he could receive a 26-year prison sentence.

- Radio Australia

[sriracha john]

AEC set to lodge graft charges

Thaksin faces prosecution over five decisions made by his governments

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has been dealt another major blow with the special anti-graft agency resolving yesterday to press new charges over questionable administrative decisions made while in office.

The move by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) comes less than a month before the general election, in which Thaksin's allies in the People Power Party are front-runners in recent public opinion polls. *or not, depending on the poll*

The AEC will in next two weeks file charges against Thaksin with the Attorney General's Office, which will then forward them to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

It will accuse him of illegally concealing a controlling stake in Shin Corp, at that time owned by his family, when he first became prime minister in 2001, and of illegally using his political power to benefit the corporation, AEC Secretary Kaewsan Atibodhi said yesterday.

The panel's subcommittee investigating corruption allegations involving the telecom sector yesterday reported its findings to the full AEC meeting and informed the board about its decision to file charges against the ex-premier, Kaewsan said.

"Thaksin owned shares in the company through holdings by his children and relatives when he was prime minister. His wife

[Pojaman] also held the company's shares and Thaksin absolutely knew about her stakes in Shin Corp," Kaewsan said.

The panel will ask the court to seize 73 Billion Baht worth of Thaksin's assets in compensation for the wrongdoing, according to Kaewsan, who added that if convicted of all charges, Thaksin could receive a 26-year prison sentence.

The AEC has ordered a freeze on about 66 Billion Baht in his family's assets, mostly in local bank accounts.

The subcommittee discovered there were five cases in which administrative decisions made by the Thaksin government caused damages to the state, Kaewsan said. These were the conversion of telecom concession fees into excise tax; the Export-Import Bank of Thailand's extension of 4 Billion Baht in loans to the Burmese government; the reduction of shared income for TOT Plc from the sale of pre-paid phone cards; the additional 25 per cent cost of signal roaming given to TOT; and the reduction of Shin Satellite's shareholding commitment in a joint venture with the state.

Thaksin was found to be directly involved in the first two cases, by making instructions on the questionable decisions.

The former premier already faces two arrest warrants over two earlier corruption charges, but he has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Kaewsan said Thaksin would face criminal action, and not a five-year ban from politics, as he was no longer in office.

- The Nation

[brahmburgers]

Too bad the one or two Thai supreme court members wimped out when they had the chance to do the right thing - way back when they ruled by a slight margin to aquit Thaksin of illegally concealing assets - which was obvious at the time - even to a cocker spaniel (no offense to dogs).

How things would be different today in Thailand, if those couple of judges had done the right thing.

[hammered]

Too bad the one or two Thai supreme court members wimped out when they had the chance to do the right thing - way back when they ruled by a slight margin to aquit Thaksin of illegally concealing assets - which was obvious at the time - even to a cocker spaniel (no offense to dogs).

How things would be different today in Thailand, if those couple of judges had done the right thing.

And if you listened to the gossip around that decision and the statement of an ex-judge the headaches that certain people suffer now can be traced back to how that decision came about.

[sriracha john]

The systematic looting spelled out....

Thaksin faces up to 26 years in jail

Four criminal charges to be pressed by ASC

The Assets Scrutiny Committee will, in two weeks, press four criminal charges against deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra for abuse of authority when he was in power, which could land him in jail for 26 years if he is found guilty. The four charges announced by the ASC yesterday relate to Thaksin's alleged illegal concealment of his share holdings in Shin Corp and his administration allegedly having favoured his company's telecoms businesses. ASC Secretary Kaewsan Atipho said Thaksin's alleged abuse of authority were based on four cases. The ASC will file the criminal charges with the Attorney-General's Office, which is responsible for taking the cases to court. This would take about two weeks, said Kaewsan. In the first case, Thaksin allegedly failed to declare to the NCCC his total Shin Corp shareholdings while in office. The alleged stake holding concealment also led to the second charge related to the sale of Shin Corp shares by his family to Temasek Holdings. The ASC has already frozen 66 billion out of the 73 billion baht that Thaksin's family netted from the Shin Corp sale. In the third case, Thaksin allegedly ordered the issuance of a cabinet resolution in 2003 to convert the mobile-phone operators' concession fee into excise tax that caused about 40 billion baht in damage to two state enterprises, TOT and CAT. In the fourth case, the ASC found Thaksin allegedly ordered the Export and Import Bank to lend a 900-million-baht soft loan, out of a total of four billion baht, to the Burmese government to improve its infrastructure and telecom sector in 2004. This came with the condition that the Burmese government purchase materials from Shin Corp. After the loan agreement, Burma reportedly contracted Shin Corp's subsidiary, Shin Satellite, to be a major supplier to its 600-million-baht broadband satellite telecoms project. Kaewsan said ASC sub-panels are still investigating three more cases to see whether they can be linked to any abuse of authority by Thaksin. The three cases involve the reduction in revenue sharing of pre-paid mobile phone services between TOT and private mobile phone operators to 20% from 25%, causing the TOT some 70 billion baht in financial damage. Another case concerns a contract between AIS and the TOT that was changed during the Thaksin administration, obliging the TOT, instead of private operators, to bear 25% of mobile phone roaming service costs, costing the TOT 13 billion baht for the contract's term. The third case is related to the amendment of Shin Satellite's concession which allowed Shin Corp to cut its stake in the firm from 51% to the minimum 40%. The change was seen as an attempt to help foreign investors avoid laws limiting foreign shareholdings in telecom firms to 49%.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/27Nov2007_news01.php

[Tony Clifton]

[sriracha john]

Thaksin Shinawatra

Thailand Outlook

Thaksin Faces 26 Years Imprisonment for Graft Charges

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) announced yesterday to press four criminal charges against deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in two weeks for his charges of abusing power during his tenure as Prime Minister, where he could be subjected to a 26 years imprisonment term if found guilty of the alleged charges.

The committee’s cases against Thaksin involved allegations of malfeasance and abuse of power, where four charges were filed against him yesterday for allegation of illegal concealment of his shareholdings in Shin Corp. and his abuse of authority which allegedly provided leeway for his company’s telecom businesses.

Penalties for the four charges against Thaksin included six years imprisonment for allegations of illegal concealment of Shin Corp. shareholdings, a maximum of 10 years imprisonment term for his alleged malfeasance in conversion of mobile-phone concession fee to excise tax, a maximum of 10 years jail term for an alleged malfeasance in offering Burma a soft loan worth four billion baht to help finance a deal with one of his companies, Shin Satellite.

Three of these charges will land Thaksin in jail for 26 years if he is found guilty, as his abuse of power in the Shin Corp. - Singapore’s Temasek Holding shares deal could pose him a seizure of assets worth 73 billion baht.

In addition, an AEC’s sub-committee also found other irregularities in administrative decisions made by the Thaksin administration which had caused massive damages to the state, including the reduction of shared income for TOT Plc. from the sales of pre-paid phone cards, extra 25 percent cost of signal roaming granted to TOT and the reduction of Shin Sattellite’s shareholding commitment in a joint venture with his government.

The recent move by the AEC which brought on new charges against Thaksin over irregularities found in his administrative decisions made while in office came less than a month before the December 23rd general election, which his supporters in the People Power Party (PPP) are currently in the lead according to recent opinion surveys. *or not, depending on the poll*

In two week’s time, the AEC will file these charges against Thaksin with the Attorney General’s Office, where they would be later forwarded to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

Regarding Thaksin’s illegal concealment of Shin Corp. shareholdings charges, AEC Secretary-General Kaewsan Atibodhi said yesterday that his children and relatives actually owned shares of the company on his behalf, when he was still in office.

His wife Potjaman on the other hand also held shares in Shin Corp. which Thaksin knew all along, but declined acknowledgment of her stakes in the company.

In addition to the 66 billion baht seizure of the Shinawatra family which has already taken effect, the committee would seek the court’s permission to freeze another 73 billion baht worth of Thaksin’s assets for his abuse of power in the Temasek-Shin Corp. deal, said Kaewsan.

Kaewsan added that if Thaksin was to be convicted of all charges, he would be subject to a 26-year prison sentence.

- Thailand Outlook

[John K]

66 Billion + 73 Billion = A lot of undeclared assets, and still he claims he did nothing wrong. I wonder if this will help extradite him with new angles.

Edited November 27, 2007 by John K

[Plus]

Iunderstand these 66 billion going to be seized is a part of 73 billion which were simply frozen.

[John K]

It reads another 73 not the same. I guess we will know more as more news comes out on this.

[Tony Clifton]

PM kicks off conference on international cooperation against money laundering

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont Wednesday chaired the international conference on cooperation against money laundering at a Bangkok hotel.

The Financial Action Task Force (TATF) / Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) Annual Typologies Meeting was held at the Anoma Hotel.

Surayud told the conference that it was a good occasion for members of the FATF/APG to realise the situation in the region.

He said Thailand attached importance of being member of the group.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingne...newsid=30057640

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

I wonder if there was a video presentation related to money laundering?

Just in case there wasn't, here's one with candidates possibly under investigation outside Thailand as well.

Edited November 28, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

Thaksin raps ASC through legal aide

Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra slammed the Assets Scrutiny Committee for practicing double standards through his legal aide, Noppadon Pattama. Noppadon gave a press conference in defense of Thaksin following the ASC's announcement to press four more criminal charges against the deposed PM for abuse of authority when he was in power. The four charges relate to Thaksin’s alleged illegal concealment of his share holdings in Shin Corp and his administration allegedly having favoured his company’s telecoms business. “The ASC’s moves are politically motivated and timed just before the election because the People Power Party’s popularity has been increasing rapidly,” Noppadon said. *btw, the impartial Noppadope just coincidentally is the People Power Party Deputy Leader* He then challenged the ASC to produce evidence proving claims that Thaksin had concealed his wealth to the Supreme Court as soon as possible. He didn’t respond to questions about Thaksin’s return to Thailand, telling reporters to keep a close eye on what Chalerm Yubamroong has to say on Dec 21.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=124027

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ooooo....oooohhhh....wait.... the intrigue... the drama.... the suspense....

What's Chalerm going to do? Plant yaba on the Assets panel members and have them shot as part of a warm-up to PPP's avowed resurgence of the infamous "War on Drugs"?

[chanchao]

66 Billion + 73 Billion = A lot of undeclared assets, and still he claims he did nothing wrong. I wonder if this will help extradite him with new angles.

No, it won't. Civilized countries don't extradite people to military dictatorships on what's perceived as drummed up political charges.

Happy to answer that for you.

[Plus]

In less than a month there will be elections. Even now Thailand is not a military dictatorship per se. It has a military appointed PM, that's all.

[chanchao]

LOL. Anyway, carry on.

Also, with the military drafted constitution, and the military's guns shadowning over the elected facade, I can only hope my kids will one day see a truly democratic Thailand.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin Shinawatra

Suriya Jungrungreangkit

Srisuk Chanthrangsu

NCCC to probe Thaksin, two others

BANGKOK - Thailand's National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) has set up subcommittees to investigate malfeasance charges against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and former Highway Department Chief Srisuk Chanthrangsu.

NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chanthik said a subcommittee, headed by NCCC member Chaided Phornchaiya, will look into alleged involvement of the deposed prime minister in a special-mode bidding for security services at Suvarnabhumi international airport.

Mr. Thaksin chaired the airport's executive board.

Another subcommittee, headed by NCCC member Phakdee Bhothisiri, will investigate alleged involvement of the former transport minister in the graft in relation to duty-free shops at Suvarnabhumi international airport and provincial airports as well as a commercial development project at Suvarnabhumi airport terminals.

Another subcommittee, headed by Mr. Chaided, will look into alleged involvement of the former highways chief in bidding for construction of four-lane roads financed by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

- MCOT

[sriracha john]

Thailand anti-corruption commission to investigate former prime minister

Thailand's National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) has approved the creation of three subcommittees to investigate former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and two of his former senior administration officials, according to an NCCC spokesperson Thursday.

The first subcommittee will probe Thaksin's involvement in the bidding for security services at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport while serving on the airport's executive board.

The other two subcommittees will investigate allegations against former Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and former Highway Department chief Srisuk Chanthrangsu in connection with duty-free airport shops and road construction, respectively.

Thaksin was ousted in a bloodless military coup in September 2006 while travelling abroad. He and his wife Pojamarn have also been accused of corruption, conflict of interest violations, and dereliction of duty for personal gain in charges stemming from a 2003 land purchase by Pojamarn from the government-directed Financial Institutions Development Fund. Thaksin has refused to return to Thailand to face charges because he says he does not expect to receive a fair trial.

- Jurist

[Tony Clifton]

Self-appointed.

Self-serving.

Self-conscious.

Self-incriminating statements.

Self-imposed exile.

Edited November 30, 2007 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

AEC finds more graft in housing project

The Assets Examination Committee will on Tuesday decide whether to let its probe panel dig into a new discovery of 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes paid by contractors in the government's Ua Athorn affordable-housing project.

"About 15 contractors are suspected of paying bribes similar to the Pastiya case," panel chairman Kaewsan Atibhodi said, in reference to the Thai-Malaysian joint-venture builder.

Kaewsan said he was ready to expand his investigation to gather evidence beyond the Pastiya case, which is at the indictment stage.

The joint venture was accused of paying 470 Million Baht to win the job to build 7,500 units.

The tea money was allegedly stashed in individual accounts linked to a rice-trading firm seen as close to former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Wattana accused of receiving bribes

A number of business operators have implicated Wattana Muangsuk, former Social Development and Human Security Minister, in alleged demands for bribes relating to the 8.9 billion baht Baan Ua-arthorn low-cost housing project. On the 8.9-billion-baht Baan Ua-arthorn low-cost housing project, ASC Secretary Kaewsan Atipho said a major rice trader in Phichit province has accused Wattana of demanding kickbacks related to the Baan Ua-arthorn project. Kaewsan said the ASC's sub-panel on the project has traced the money to a money laundering scam involving 8.5 billion baht of the project's cash. The sub-panel will ask the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to look into the alleged scam.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/12Dec2007_news15.php