Thaksin Accused By Assets Examination Committee On Deals

[sriracha john]

PTT verdict a lesson for power-holders

Matichon Editorial: Those who pushed for the privatisation of the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT) must be held responsible for the problems that have ensued. The Supreme Administrative Court last Friday rejected a petition by consumer groups to nationalise the PTT Pcl, but ordered the Finance Ministry to return some assets to the state because the previous government illegally gave the company the power to expropriate land for gas pipelines after it sold shares to the public and became private. This is a lesson for power-holders that they should not privatise state enterprises without listening to the opinions of all stakeholders. People responsible for the sale of shares of PTT, whose 1.04 trillion baht market capitalisation accounts for 15% of Thailand's stock market, must be held accountable for any damage done to the country. The land expropriated by PTT to lay gas pipelines is a state asset that must be used for the benefit of the Thai people, not a few major shareholders of PTT. A small group of people, apparently with political connections, snapped up large portions of PTT shares when they were offered to the public.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/19Dec2007_news23.php

[sriracha john]

Thaksin government cost the state 180 Billion Baht

The Thaksin administration caused more than 180 Billion Baht in damage to the country, according to a booklet by the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) to be released today.

Over 50,000 copies of the AEC's Yellow Paper will be distributed today to mark the one-year of achievement of the AEC.

The paper includes an interview with AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang, which reveals the obstacles the AEC has faced in its investigation.

- The Nation

Edited December 20, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

*double post*

Edited December 20, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Probe into 23 Corruption Cases to Conclude before Term Ends

The Assets Examination Committee confirms that the investigations into the 23 cases of the 12 corrupt projects under the Thaksin administration will be completed by June next year before the panel's term ends.

The Secretary-General of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) Kaewsan Atipothi affirms that the investigations into the 23 cases of 12 the corrupt projects under the previous government led by Thaksin Shinawatra will be completed by June next year before the AEC's term ends.

The AEC will forward all cases to related agencies so the court cases will proceed in accordance with the justice system.

Kaewsan states that the 12 corruption allegations that the AEC has accepted to consider have been divided into 23 cases.

Four of them have already been forwarded to related state agencies for further consideration and the rest are expected to be completed by June next year.

The AEC's Secretary-General adds that the probes into five other cases, namely corruption in the CTX bomb scanner project, the purchase of rubber saplings, the Ua-athorn housing project, the controversial loan by Krung Thai Bank, and the installation of electrical cables at Suvarnabhumi Airport, will be concluded by the end of January.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

Thaksin faces up to 26 years in jail

Four criminal charges to be pressed by ASC

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.

Continued here:

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

Jan 13 deadline for ex-PM to testify in EXIM Bank case

Mr. Sak Korsaengruang, a member of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) and chairman of the AEC subcommittee on the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank case, reported that his subcommittee has set January 13th as the deadline for the deposed Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, to testify in the case.

Mr. Sak said that Thaksin's lawyer had requested the AEC subcommittee postpone his client's testimony from December 29th, 2007, to January 28th, 2008, but the subcommittee shortened the postponement period to January 13th. Mr. Sak said the subcommittee will request the AEC to conclude the investigation of the case if Thaksin does not show up on January 28th to give testimony.

- ThaiNews

Edited December 29, 2007 by sriracha john

[Jai Dee]

Foreign Affairs Ministry promptly translating AEC document

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its translation of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC)’s document is right on schedule.

The AEC earlier commented that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is taking a considerable time to translate the committee’s document. In response to the comment, the Director-General of the Department of Information under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tharit Charungvat (ธฤต จรุงวัฒน์), says his ministry already submitted 94 pages of the document to the AEC in December 7th last year and another 348 pages in December 18th. He says the AEC has further requested the Foreign Affairs Ministry to translate 29 additional pages, and the ministry has notified the committee that it will finish the translation within January 15th this year.

Mr. Tharit insists that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is always working professionally and legitimately, and the ministry is ready to support the AEC’s work.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 January 2008

[sriracha john]

AEC : 2 Lawsuits Await Ex PM's Response

AEC member, Kaewsan Atipoti, said Committee Chairman, Nam Yimyam, has mailed deposed Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, the charges against him, after the ex-premier did not report himself before authorities on January 3rd to acknowledge the allegations, as required.

The AEC has concluded 2 cases against Thaksin. The first is a criminal charge, accusing the former premier of violating the anti-corruption law by holding stakes in a company that received state concessions.

The second is a civil lawsuit, accusing Thaksin of exploiting his power as the prime minister to gain business advantages.

The AEC has previously frozen around 77 billion baht worth of assets, owned by Thaksin and his family members, which was revenue gained from the sale of Shin Corp stakes to Singapore's Temasek Holding.

The Committee gave Thaksin 15 days to respond to the allegations. If the former prime minister fails to provide any feedback, the Committee will proceed by concluding the lawsuits and filing them with the court.

- Thailand Outlook

[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

Update... he's indicted.....

Watana Muangsook

UA ATHORN

AEC indicts ex-minister for bribery

Evidence shows Watana and others received kickbacks

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday indicted eight individuals for corruption relating to 1.2 Billion Baht in kickbacks over construction of the Ua Athorn housing project.

They included former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook, his aide Mana Wongpipat, and former MP Arisman Pongruangrong.

The remaining suspects are business executives allegedly involved in bribery and money laundering to secure the contract.

"Of the 15 contractors for the Ua Athorn project, eight have been linked to the 1.2 Billion Baht in bribes and evidence has clearly shown that the minister and his middlemen demanded and received kickbacks," AEC member Kaewsan Atibhodi said.

Because seven of the eight contractors are cooperating with the investigation, they will be designated as prosecution witnesses, he said. One uncooperative contractor, Thai Chen Yu International Construction Development, will be prosecuted, he added.

Authorities suspected bribes were laundered via a rice-trading firm and two other companies seen as close to Watana, while about 11 individuals would be separately investigated by the Department of Special Investigation, Kaewsan said.

In a separate indictment, the AEC charged former National Housing Authority Governor Chuanpis Chaimuenvong for abuse of power to inflate land prices for the project. Chuanpis was already named as a suspect in the bribery.

Authorities estimated that inflated prices had caused 200 Million Baht in damage to the state.

The investigation into the project is expected to be complete within the next three months.

In a related probe, the AEC-appointed panel has issued a summons for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to rebut charges relating to his abuse of power to benefit himself and his associates. The 15-day deadline for Thaksin's defence will expire next Friday.

The AEC is mulling whether to expand its probes to cover three new cases linked to the Thaksin government. The cases involve a contractual revision by TOT to reduce a revenue-sharing scheme with AIS for prepaid mobile-phone services, a concession amendment by TOT favouring AIS on interconnection charges and an arbitrary decision by the Information and Communications Technology Ministry to launch the IPSTAR broadband satellite system in lieu of ThaiCom 4.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

In another development, the ASC yesterday filed charges against 14 more people, including singer-turned-politician Arisaman Pongruengrong, who have been found to be involved in the alleged corruption in the Baan Ua-arthorn low-cost housing project. Some of the accused are close to Watana Muangsook, the former social development and human security minister who faced ASC charges of receiving bribes late last year. They allegedly colluded to illegally acquire land for the project, causing damage of 200 million baht to the state, said Kaewsan Atipho, who heads the Baan Ua-arthon inquiry. Arisaman was accused of ''serving as a broker'' between a land owner and Watana, he said. He negotiated with the landlord and offered the land to Watana at an inflated price. Other suspects include Pornprom Wongwiwat, an official working close to Watana, Rattana sae Heng, a secretary for President Agri Trading Co that was allegedly acting as an agent to collect bribes for Mr Watana, and former National Housing Authority governor Chuanpis Chaimuenvong, who faces an additional charge of dishonesty. Watana faces seven counts, including bribes and abuse of power.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/08Jan2008_news02.php

[Ricardo]

Good to see the battle against corruption, such as it is, continues to gain ground & produce results. Hopefully this will continue, under the next government, with equal vigour and success, and contracts during the junta-era also be examined. Unless a certain sinister puppet-master thinks otherwise ?

Hint ... he will have to do better, than just lock the Auditor-General out of her office, for a year or two.

[sriracha john]

NEW TOWN, OLD IDEA

Residents of Nakhon Nayok's tranquil Ban Na district wonder whether Thaksin's plans to build a new city there will ever come to fruition

Remember the days when you were busy catching up with the new projects and initiatives launched when Thaksin Shinawatra was in power? Apart from a variety of populist schemes, there was also a series of megaprojects which always sparked debate in society. One of the deposed prime minister's ambitious plans was the creation of the ''new town'' project in Nakhon Nayok's Ban Na district. Located about 100km northeast of Bangkok, Ban Na, which literally means "home of paddy fields," is a little world of its own where farmers work all day in paddy fields and buffalos graze on grassland. Thaksin planned to turn this farmland district into a modern metropolis. He even coined a name for it, Nakhon Nayok Muang Mai, or New Town. After all the publicity given to Thaksin's plans for the area, land prices increased tenfold to as much as one million baht per rai, especially in the central parts of the district, with most of the property speculators coming from Bangkok. However, not much progress has been made with urban planning. The town planning has been altered time and again along with changes to cabinet members in charge of the project. Former interior minister Wan Muhammad Nor Matha was the first to supervise the scheme. He once said the new city would be modelled on Japan's Tama district, where government offices, public schools, hospitals and first-class hotels would be built. Then, following a cabinet reshuffle, former deputy prime minister Visanu Krue-Ngam came up with the idea of making it a satellite town of Bangkok where an IT centre would be built. Imitating 'cyber cities' abroad, under Visanu's plan the Ban Na IT town would be divided into four zones. Zone 1 would house a residential area, Zone 2 would be a cultural zone featuring sports and entertainment complexes, Zone 3 would become a commercial complex and Zone 4 would house libraries and schools. But that plan went nowhere and ended in inconclusive seminars. The last time villagers in Nakhon Nayok heard about the stalled project was in March, 2006, when Thaksin, then the caretaker prime minister, pledged to revive it during his election campaign in the central and eastern regions. The former TRT leader insisted he would bring prosperity to the whole province by reviving the new city project, which would have such mass transit systems as a skytrain and high-speed train. The likelihood that the Thaksin-backed PPP will form the next government, might give new hope to those eager to reap benefits from such a megaproject. But those who don't want to see the tranquil, green district of Ban Na transformed into another metropolis, or don't want to see vast amounts of taxpayers' money spent on the new town, will have to pray that the new government will not dust off the project.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/08Jan2008_news28.php

[sriracha john]

AEC to Decide on Ua Arthorn Housing Project

Thailand’s Assets Examination Committee is set to establish 2 sub-committees to investigate graft allegations in 2 separate Ua Arthorn Housing Projects after initial findings show irregularities.

A fact-finding sub-committee, headed by Kaewsan Atipho, was earlier set up to look into possible corruption in the Ua Arthorn Housing Projects.

The developments were one of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s major campaigns which promised cheap housing for the poor.

The sub-committee will today conclude its finding to the Assets Examination Committee.

It is reported that the AEC could decide to set up investigative sub-committees to formally examine the evidence on possible graft in two separate developments.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

Arisaman Pongruengrong

Meanwhile, the ASC yesterday pressed charges against four state officials and a company executive for their involvement in alleged corruption in the Baan Ua-arthorn low-cost housing scheme initiated by the Thaksin government. ASC Secretary Kaewsan Atipho said there was sufficient evidence to prove that National Housing Authority (NHA) Deputy Governor Pittaya Charoenwan and three state officials abused their power by colluding with a contractor to forge a land price evaluation. The forgery took place during the bidding process for two Baan Ua-arthorn projects, the 181 million baht Kabinburi project in Prachinburi province, and the 209 million baht Aranyaprathet project in Sa Kaeo. The NHA had bought land from the contractor at inflated prices, 7.8 million baht more for the first project, and 10.7 million baht more for the second, he said. The process usually requires two evaluations from two separate consultants, said Mr Kaewsan. The contractor, identified as Alliance Property, managed to submit only one assessment each for the two projects and NHA officials helped them by counterfeiting another paper. A private firm which it was claimed submitted the other assessment told the ASC team that it never issued any such verification, said Mr Kaewsan. The three officials found to be in the wrong were identified as Jetwat Wichit, Preecha Khunrak and Winai Piromdee. They and the NHA Deputy Governor will face malfeasance charges and criminal charges for forgery. Tawat Tuwirat of Alliance Property Co also faces charges of collusion, he added. The ASC last week filed charges against 14 other people, including singer-turned-politician Arisaman Pongruengrong, who has been found to have been involved in the alleged corruption in some projects of the Baan Ua-arthorn scheme. The panel has already charged Watana Muangsook, the former Social Development and Human Security Minister, with corruption for allegedly taking an 80 million baht kickback from a contractor for another project under the scheme.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/15Jan2008_news13.php

Edited January 15, 2008 by sriracha john

[John K]

Foreign Affairs Ministry promptly translating AEC document

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says its translation of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC)’s document is right on schedule.

The AEC earlier commented that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is taking a considerable time to translate the committee’s document. In response to the comment, the Director-General of the Department of Information under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Tharit Charungvat (ธฤต จรุงวัฒน์), says his ministry already submitted 94 pages of the document to the AEC in December 7th last year and another 348 pages in December 18th. He says the AEC has further requested the Foreign Affairs Ministry to translate 29 additional pages, and the ministry has notified the committee that it will finish the translation within January 15th this year.

Mr. Tharit insists that the Foreign Affairs Ministry is always working professionally and legitimately, and the ministry is ready to support the AEC’s work.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 January 2008

Does anyone know if the translation is done on this?

[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

Assets Panel to Speed up Cases to File to Court

Today, the Assets Examination Committee has scheduled meetings for both the morning and the afternoon in order to speed up its deliberation of cases. The AEC will look into the rubber sapling case, which the sub-committee investigating it has proposed be forwarded to the Attorney-General to file to the court.

AEC member Udom Fuengfoong says there are over 40 irregularities in the project so more time will be required to deliberate the case. Moreover, the number of suspects in this case is as much as 90 and involves politicians, state officials, and private companies.

However, the sub-panel has decided not to prosecute those with lesser involvement in the case, in order to speed the process up.

The AEC will also look into the Ua-arthorn cheap housing scheme, which the sub-panel has also proposed be forwarded to the Attorney-General to be filed with the court.

The case involving the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's purchase of fire trucks and boats is still being investigated by a sub-panel, and a sixth suspect may be charged.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

Thaksin ministers among 45 likely to be sued in rubber tree corruption case

BANGKOK - Several key cabinet members in the former Thaksin administration are likely to face prosecution for their alleged involvement in the rubber sapling procurement case in which Thailand's anti-graft investigation panel found substantial grounds for taking legal action, according to anti-graft panel sources.

Banjerd Singkaneti, who chairs the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) panel investigating the rubber project, told a press conference on Monday that the panel resolved to have the AEC forward the case to the Office of the Attorney General for further consideration whether or not to prosecute 45 people allegedly involved in the purchase of 90 million rubber saplings worth 1.44 Billion Baht.

Mr. Banjerd revealed that among those who have been accused in the case are former Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, former Deputy Finance Minister Warathep Rattanakorn, former Agriculture Minister Sorra-at Klinprathum and former Commerce Minister Adisai Photaramik.

The case will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General within 14 days before the case goes to the Supreme Court for the political office holders division.

Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Ccooperatives, Newin Chidchob, and the former Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, Chakan Sangraksawong, who initiated the project, will also likely to be prosecuted, according to Mr. Banjerd.

They were involved in the government's decision to award the contract to grow 90 million saplings to

private companies, he said.

The companies involved in the procurement included the agro-industrial conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group affiliate, Charoen Pokphand Seeds Company, which allegedly supplied poor quality rubber tree saplings to farmers.

Under a three-year contract worth 1.4 Billion Baht with the Agriculture Ministry, the CP Group was to supply, through the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund Office, 18 million rubber saplings in 2004, 27 million in 2005, and 45 million in 2006.

The programme is part of the government's plan to extend rubber plantations, long associated with the South, to 36 provinces in the North and the Northeast.

- MCOT

[sriracha john]

Somkid, Newin, CP possibly indicted over rubber saplings purchase

The Assets Examination Committee panel will recommend indictment against former Deputy Agriculture Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak among 45 people for offences involving the purchase of rubber saplings.

Banjerd Singkaneti, Chairman of AEC panel said the panel would suggest the AEC to file the complaint with the Attorney General to indict 45 people involved.

The panel accused Somkid, former Deputy Finance Minister Warathep Rattanakorn, former Agriculture Minister Sorra-at Klinprathum, Commerce Minister Adisai Photaramik of violating Article 11 and 83 of Criminal Law for their involvement in the purchase, he said.

Newin will be accused of violating State Bidding Act, Bidding Collussion Act 1999 and Article 83, 157 and 351 of the Criminal Law.

Three companies - Charoen Pokphand Seeds Co Ltd, Resort Land Co Ltd and Ekcharoen Co Ltd - will also be charged for joint investment, management and collusion on the bid price, he added.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

The Assets Scrutiny Committee agreed yesterday to recommend that the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) file criminal and civil charges against three companies and 42 people, including five members of the Thaksin cabinet, for alleged graft in the 1.4-billion-baht rubber saplings project, spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said. The five former cabinet members are then Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak, then Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, then Social Development and Human Security Minister Sora-at Klinprathum, then Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik and then Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Newin Chidchob. The ASC initially believed that all cabinet members should be charged for their alleged roles in the rubber saplings project, but its inquiry later found that only the five ministers were involved. The panel will forward the rubber saplings project to the OAG within two weeks, recommending the prosecutors indict the accused. Somkid, Varathep, Sora-at and Adisai are charged with criminal offences for abusing their authority by allocating a sum of 1.4 billion baht from an agricultural aid committee to hire contractors to handle the project in 2003, Sak said. The four were then the Board of the Committee. Newin is to be charged for his role in initiating and handling the project. A group of state officials setting up the project's terms of reference to allow unqualified contractors to bid for the project are also charged.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/05Feb2008_news01.php

[sriracha john]

AEC to Charge Banned TRT Politicians over Rubber Saplings Scandal

The Assets Examination Committee’s sub-panel vetting corruption of former officials of the deposed Thaksin administration yesterday proposed the committee to bring charges against former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and 44 other malfeasant state officials for their involvement in the rubber saplings purchase scandal.

According to former Deputy Agriculture Minister and panel chairman Banjerd Singkaneti, his panel would petition the AEC to file a complaint with the Attorney-General to indict the 45 former state officials.

Key officials in the scandal comprised of former Deputy PM Somkid, former Agriculture Minister Sora-ad Klinprathum, former Commerce Minister Adisai Bhodaramik, and former Deputy Finance Minister Warathep Rattanakorn were found violating Articles 11 and 83 of the Criminal Law for their offences in the purchase deal.

Meanwhile, former Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Newin Chidchob was also accused for violating the State Bidding Act, as well as Articles 83, 157 and 351 of the Criminal Law and the Bidding Collusion Act of 1999.

The panel will also charged three companies found involved in the purchase, including Charoen Pokphand Seeds, Ekcharoen and Resort Land for their joint investment, management and collusion to settle the bidding prices of rubber saplings, explained Banjerd.

- Thailand Outlook

[Jai Dee]

AEC Chairman not been informed yet concerning 19 million baht budget

Chairman of the Asset Examination Committee (AEC) Nam Yimyaem (นาม ยิ้มแย้ม) revealed that he has not yet been informed that the Budget Office has denied an AEC request for 19 million baht in additional funding.

The AEC though states that the matter will not affect the performance of the organization as it has implemented several money saving measures. The committee has reduced its number of organization vehicles from three cars to two as well as reducing personnel. An AEC meeting will have to decide on how it will be able to acquire additional funding to continue to operate. Members of the organization have suggested receiving donations to help the body keep working until it finishes its term.

Mr. Nam said that the committee is still continuing its operations and is focused on resolving its cases before the end of its term. The AEC yesterday interrogated an additional witness in a case concerning the procurement of fire trucks and boats by the former Bangkok administration.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 February 2008

[Jai Dee]

Dr.Thaksin case to be put off another 60 days

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร)’s attorney, Mr. Chatthip Tantthaprasart (ฉัตรทิพย์ ตัณฑประศาสน์), held talks with the committee responsible for investigating Dr. Thaksin's case. Despite the due date today, Mr.Chatthip notified the committee that the case will be adjourned for another 60 days.

Mr. Chatthip claims that he was submitted the postponement proposal of the case to the committee prior but it was turned down as the committee concluded that the proposal lacked adequate reasons. He says the decision to resubmit the proposal is due to complications of the case, adding that such serious case needs more time to provide more information from many relevant organizations.

Mr. Chatthip divulges that Dr.Thaksin has constructed his lawyer team to be careful about running the case and the ex-premier has also not mentioned when exactly he will return to appear before the court.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 February 2008

[Plus]

Which case is that? And why is that the defence lawyer notifies the committee that the case will be adjourned and not the other way around.

Who runs the show there, or is it another blunder from Thai National News Bureau?

[Jai Dee]

Which case is that? And why is that the defence lawyer notifies the committee that the case will be adjourned and not the other way around.

I've been trying to find out too Plus.

[TAWP]

Special rules for special people.

[Jai Dee]

AEC counters statement made by attorney concerning legal lottery case

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC) member, Mr. Klanarong Chantik (กล้านรงค์ จันทิก), said the court has the authority to decide whether the AEC can take legal action on the legal lottery case. His comment was made after the attorney stated that the AEC has no solitary power to bring the legal lottery case to court.

Mr. Klanarong also referred to the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR)’s 30th announcement. According to the announcement, the AEC has the power to take legal action because it has the right to exercise the regulations of the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).

Moreover, Mr. Klanarong says the AEC has already prepared the dossier for the legal lottery case, and if the attorney rejects and returns its dossier, the AEC would then submit an appeal. He also believes the AEC can put the case on trial within next week.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 14 Febuary 2008

[sriracha john]

AEC Panel Forwards Rubber Sapling Investigation to Attorney-General

The Assets Examination Committee has forwarded its completed investigation into another corruption allegation to the Attorney-General's Office. 45 people are named as being involved in the shady rubber sapling purchase. The prosecutor’s office will make the final decision on whether the case has enough merit to be filed with the court.

Assets Examination Committee member Banjerd Singkaneti has forwarded the rubber saplings case to the Attorney-General's Office.

The AEC's completed investigation found wrongdoing in the budget for the purchase of 90 million rubber saplings. It found that individuals in the committee managing the project and the private companies involved in providing the rubber saplings worked together in offering sub-standard trees to rubber farmers.

Special Cases Division Director-General Seksan Bangsomboon says the investigation has 72 folders of documents and charges 45 individuals with wrongdoing.

He notes the Attorney-General's Office will set up a 12-member working group to quickly look into the case and make a decision on whether the case has merit within the allotted one month period.

The chairman of this group is Deputy Attorney-General Waiyawut Lortrakul and the group will meet for the first time this week. He is still not sure if more investigation is needed into the case.

If the Attorney-General's Office finds that the case has merit, it will proceed to file the case with the court. If not, the AEC and the prosecutor’s office will need to set up a joint committee to come to an agreement on the case. If there are still differing opinions within the joint committee, the AEC can proceed to file the case with the court itself, as it did with the two and three digit lottery case.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

Attorney-General gets AEC report

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday submitted its report to the Attorney-General on alleged corruption in the Thaksin government's rubber sapling project.

Banjerd Singkaneti, Chair of the AEC panel investigating the case, handed 12 boxes containing 114 files to the Attorney-General.

Among the 45 people under investigation are five of Thaksin's ministers - former Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak (TRT Banned #16), former Deputy Finance Minister Varathep Ratanakorn (TRT Banned #44), former Agriculture Minister Sora-at Klinpratoom (TRT Banned #19), former Commerce Minister and then member of the committee for policies and measures to help farmers, Adisai Bodharamik (TRT Banned #56), and former Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob (TRT Banned #6).

Others suspects include government officials and officers of the Charoen Pokphand Group, Resort Land and Ek Charoen Agriculture companies.

The allegations include malfeasance and violation of laws related to bidding for product prices to government agencies.

Those found guilty face up to life in prison.

*If Thailand wants to get serious and start putting an end to rampant corruption, this is a good opportunity to show other future potential corrupters what can happen*

Seksan Bangsomboon, Secretary of the Attorney-General-appointed committee in charge of the case, said the agency would expedite the case, and a meeting to that effect is expected to take place this week. However, the agency will have to assign a panel to protect the documents given as evidence, he said.

- The Nation

Edited February 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Key Thaksin ministers corruption case goes to Attorney-General

BANGKOK - Several key cabinet members in the former Thaksin administration may face prosecution for their alleged involvement in the 90 million rubber sapling procurement case in which Thailand's anti-graft investigation panel found substantial grounds for taking legal action on abuse of power, bidding collusion, and fraud.

Banjerd Singkaneti, who chairs the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) panel investigating the rubber project, told journalists that the AEC forwarded the 204-page document to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) for further consideration whether or not to prosecute 45 people allegedly involved in the purchase of 90 million rubber saplings worth 1.44 Billion Baht.

Among those who have been accused in the case are former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, former Deputy Finance Minister Warathep Rattanakorn, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Newin Chidchob, former Agriculture Minister Sorra-at Klinprathum and former Commerce Minister Adisai Photaramik.

They were involved in the government's decision to award the contract to grow 90 million saplings to private companies, he said.

The companies involved in the procurement included the agro-industrial conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group affiliate, Charoen Pokphand Seeds Company, which allegedly supplied poor quality rubber tree saplings to farmers.

Under a three-year contract worth 1.44 Billion Baht with the Agriculture Ministry, the CP Group was to supply through the Rubber Replanting Aid Fund Office 18 million rubber saplings in 2004, 27 million in 2005, and 45 million in 2006.

The programme is part of the government's plan to extend rubber plantations, long associated with the South, to 36 provinces in the North and the Northeast.

- TNA

[Jai Dee]

AEC to draft case against 2 and 3 digit lottery by 3rd of March

Spokesman of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) Sak Kosaengruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง) revealed that of attorneys from the Lawyer Council of Thailand has submitted a list of 12 lawyers and one paralegal for the AEC to instate as a drafting body.

The body will draft a case to be filed on the matter of 2 and 3 digit lotteries and is expected to be presented to the Supreme Court’s division for crimes committed by individuals in political positions. The AEC anticipates that it will be able to file the case by the third of next month. The lawyers’ team will be headed by Sittichoke Sricharoen (สิทธิโชค ศรีเจริญ).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 February 2008

[sriracha john]

OAG asked to indict 45 in saplings case

The Office of the Attorney-General was asked yesterday to indict 45 people, including former Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak and former Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Newin Chidchob, for alleged involvement in illegal bidding for the state's 1.4-billion baht rubber sapling distribution contract. Apart from Somkid and Newin, those facing indictment included, as suggested by the ASC, senior officials at the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and executives of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Seeds, which was awarded a contract to supply 90 million rubber saplings to farmers under a project to promote rubber plantations that was launched by the Thaksin Shinawatra administration. Banjerd Singkhaneti, head of the ASC sub-committee investigating the rubber sapling case, said the ASC agreed to ask the OAG to indict all 45 people as it found that the politicians and officials had abused their power while the company was accused of colluding with other firms to win the bid. If they were found guilty by the court, some would face jail terms ranging from five to 20 years while others could get life imprisonment, Banjerd said.

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