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Friday, June 27, 2008

Thaksin denies involvement in lawyer's bribery case

Thaksin denies involvement in lawyer's bribery case

BANGKOK, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra denied involvement in an attempted bribery case in which three lawyers working on his corruption charge had been convicted for sending a cash-filled pastry box to court officials.

    Thaksin's personal spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana on Thursday read a statement on behalf of the ex-premier at a press conference, which said Thaksin feels sorry that his lawyers were found guilty of contempt of court and were each sentenced to six month jail term by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

    The press conference took place Thursday afternoon at the 111 Foundation, set up by the 111 former executives of the now dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party founded by Thaksin.

    The trio -- lawyer Pichit Chuenban, his assistants Suppasri Srisawasdi and Thana Tansiri represented Thaksin and his wife Pojaman in a case in which the ex-premier was charged of abusing power to help his wife purchase a Bangkok downtown land plot in a government audition in 2003.

    In his statement, Thaksin insisted on his innocence in the case, vowing to fight the case under the justice system.

    Earlier reports about the "Pastry Gate" incident, as branded by local media, gained much spotlight in the country, as it was revealed that a lawyer, then referred to as one who worked for some former politician, on June 10 walked into the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, filed a writ and handed a pastry box containing 2 million baht (about 61,000 U.S. dollars) in cash to court officials.

    The trio on the day concerned were present at the Court to hand legal documents about Thaksin's case, but Pichit had earlier denied his involvement.

    The Supreme Court on Wednesday handed down the verdict, which convicted the three of violating the court's authority. The verdict could not be appealed.

    Pichit and Suppasri (female) were arrested immediately, while the other convicted Thana was absent from Wednesday's trial and still at large by now, as the Court has issued an arrest warrant for him.

    The Court has also sought criminal charges of attempted bribery against the three lawyers with the police on Thursday.

    Opposition Democrat party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon has called on the government to assign the National Counter Corruption Commission to trace where the lawyers get the money from.

Ref: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/26/content_8445027.htm

My Take: Thaksin had a history of concealing assets before he became PM by transfering his assets to his servants. Majority of court panel ruled out 9 to 8 it was unintentional. Was money involved then?

http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?Itemid=31&id=1074&option=com_content&task=view
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C06E2DA1038F934A15751C1A9669C8B63


Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Thaksin's Lawyers in "Pastry Gate" sentenced to jail

Thaksin's Lawyers in "Pastry Gate" sentenced to jail


The Supreme Court sentenced to six months in jail a legal team of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over what is called "the Pastry Gate," in which a supreme court official was given a pastry box filled with Bt2 million in cash.

The team members who each face six months in jail for violating the court's authority are lawyer Pichit Chuenban, coordinator Thana Tansiri and clerk Supasri Srisawat.

Pichit is lawyer of Thaksin on the case that he is alleged of abusing of power in purchasing a plot of land in Ratchadapisek area.

Supreme Court Vice President Mongkol Thapthiang, who heads a panel comprising Supreme Court judge Weeraphol Tangsuwan and Issaret Chairat, investigating the case, said Wednesday the panel found the three guilty of the charge.

"The action by the three shows the intention to persuade court officials to commit wrongdoing," the judge said.

"This action is serious and the court sentences each to six months in jail," it said.

Another man, Thana Tansiri, alleged to have delivered the parcel, failed to appear in court and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

 Further legal action on a separate charge of criminal bribery is expected.

The incident is considered grave because it was happened in the high court of the country. Any lawyer who is convicted of the charge cannot cannot work as a lawyer in any court again. The Law Society of Thailand will also have to take legal action against the lawyers.

Earlier reports said that a lawyer who used to represent a politician walked into the office of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, which handles the administrative affairs for the graft tribunal, a special court for corruption, early June.

The lawyer filed a writ and then handed a bag of pastries to court officials. A clerk looked into the bag and noticed the cash. He then asked the lawyer about the money. The reply was: "Divide the money up among yourselves."

The officials were utterly shocked by the incident. As they were trying to alert their superiors and supervising judges, a senior judge happened to pass by the room and asked what had happened.

After hearing the incident, the senior judge instructed that the money be counted and photographed. The cash was returned to the lawyer, who was present throughout the checking process.

The photograph was considered sufficient evidence for a bribery case. The cash was returned in order to dispel a counter argument that money already changed hands.

Earlier Pichit denied he was the lawyer who tried to bribe court officials by offering a box of pastries containing Bt2 million in cash.

"Our team of lawyers was not involved in the attempt to influence the panel of judges. We feel the Supreme Court will give us justice," Pichit said.

"We don't need to do that. It was not even in our thoughts. I'm confident the fact-finding panel will find out [the truth] about the attempted-bribery allegation," he said.

Pichit admitted that he and other lawyers had gone to the court on Tuesday, having been assigned by Thaksin and his wife, Pojaman, to file a request to report to the Supreme Court. He said they were there no longer than 30 minutes and did not take any gifts for court officials.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/25/headlines/headlines_30076484.php



Thursday, June 12, 2008

POLITICAL CRISIS,Point of no return: Anand

POLITICAL CRISIS

Point of no return: Anand


Ex-prime minister says PAD, rivals are irreconcilable; rejects idea for mediation effort by ex-premiers


Former prime minister Anand Panyarachun believes Thai politics has become so polarised that it is beyond reconciliation.

He also played down the idea of having four former prime ministers act as mediators to defuse the political conflict.

Speaking at the Royal Navy Auditorium yesterday after presiding over a seminar on public television, Anand said he was very concerned about the situation because there were two opposing forces who did not seem able to reach reconciliation.

"Every society has differences [in ideas]. But there must be some grounds to work out the differences so that it will not lead to physical violence. At present, Thai politics is clearly divided into two. And I think it has reached a point beyond reconciliation," Anand said.

The People's Alliance for Democracy has continued its street demonstration for the second week. It initially set forth its demand that the government must not amend the 2007 Constitution to help bail out former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from his corruption cases. Now it has added another condition - for the Samak government to resign altogether because it is acting as a nominee for Thaksin and it has failed to tackle the problems of the country.

Thaksin's supporters have also been hitting back at the PAD in a tit-for-tat political battle that has created an atmosphere of instability and spooked investors.

Anand said both sides could not reach any mutual understanding because they were not speaking the same language. When one party raises one point, the other party answers another question.

"They not only need to speak the same language but also the same subject in order to reach an understanding. If they keep on speaking against each other, they will never be able to achieve reconciliation," Anand said.

Respected social critic Dr Praves Wasi suggested that one way to defuse the political conflict is for four former prime ministers to act as mediators between the two sides. This, he said, would help resolve the conflict.

But Anand said mediators could not speak on anybody's behalf and that at best they could only facilitate talks.

"Now I am getting old. I need to have a rest. Let's get the young men and women to do the job," Anand said.

Speaking on his weekly radio talk show, Samak opposed the idea to have four former premiers act as mediators.

"If you bring four former prime ministers to join a talk, what then can they do?" Samak said.

"They can't issue orders. They can only talk. But what happens after that? Under the current situation, the present prime minister, which is me, is assuming responsibility. If there is any mistake, we all can see. And is there any mistake? No, there is not. I am not working alone. I work as a team with 35 other Cabinet members."

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/09/headlines/headlines_30075056.php


Supreme Court president orders probe into report that Bt2 million given to court officials

Supreme Court president orders probe into report that Bt2 million given to court officials


Supreme Court President Wiraj Limwichai has ordered an investigation into a report that a lawyer put Bt2 million in a candy box and gave it to certain officials of the Supreme Court.

Sarawut Benjakul, deputy secretary-general of the Justice Affairs Office, said Wednesday that Wiraj appointed a committee of three judges to investigate the report.

Sarawut said he learnt that the court officials had returned the money to the lawyer.

http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30075273

Sunday, June 8, 2008

รัฐเร่งเช่ารถเมล์ NGV 6 พันคันฟื้นขสมก. เล็งใช้ตั๋วราคาถูกเริ่มต้น 15 บาท

หนังสือพิมพ์ฐานเศรษฐกิจ [http://www.thannews.th.com]
"สมัคร" เปิดทางให้ ขสมก. ฟื้นฟูกิจการ สั่งเร่งจัดหารถเมล์ NGV 6,000 คันวิ่งให้บริการแทนรถเมล์ใช้น้ำมันดีเซล ด้านคมนาคมเตรียมชงฝเรื่องเข้า ครม. อนุมัติแผน 10 มิ.ย.นี้ "สันติ" คาด มี.ค.2552 ได้ใช้ล็อตแรก 3,000 คัน จากนั้นอีก 4 เดือนจะได้ใช้ครบทั้งหมด 6,000 คัน เตรียมใช้ตั๋ว E-ticket เก็บค่าโดยสารราคาถูก เริ่มต้นที่ 15 บาท เชื่อปี 2553 เริ่มมีกำไร หลังดึงช่วยรับภาระดอกเบี้ยกว่า 2,000 ล้าน/ปี แทน พร้อมหามาตรการเยียวยารถร่วมเอกชนด้วย

นายสันติ พร้อมพัฒน์ รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงคมนาคม กล่าวภายหลังการประชุม คณะกรรมการพัฒนาระบบขนส่งทางรางและระบบขนส่งมวลชน ที่มีนายสมัคร สุนทรเวช นายกรัฐมนตรี เป็นประธาน เมื่อวันที่ 2 มิถุนายน ที่ผ่านมา ว่าที่ประชุมมีมติเห็นชอบแผนฟื้นฟูกิจการองค์การขนส่งมวลชนกรุงเทพ (ขสมก.) แล้ว โดยมีรายละเอียดที่สำคัญ คือ ให้ ขสมก.จัดหารถที่ใช้ก๊าซ NGV เป็นเชื้อเพลิง จำนวน 6,000 คัน ด้วยวิธีการเช่า ซึ่งจากนี้ไป ขสมก.ต้องไปดำเนินการตามระเบียบพัสดุ

ทั้งนี้ คาดว่าการเปิดประมูลเช่ารถเมล์ NGV จะเสร็จสิ้นและ ได้เอกชนผู้ให้เช่าประมาณเดือนกันยายนนี้ จากนั้นอีก 6 เดือน ขสมก.จะได้รับมอบรถส่วนแรก จำนวน 3,000 คัน หลังจากนั้นอีกประมาณ 4 เดือน จะได้รับมอบรถส่วนที่เหลืออีก 3,000 คัน ซึ่งรถเมล์ NGV ที่ขสมก. เช่าใหม่นี้จะติดระบบตั๋วโดยสารอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ หรือ E-ticket

โดยระบบตั๋วโดยสารอิเล็กทรอนิกส์นั้น จะมีทั้งแบบรายวัน ซึ่งจะคิดราคาเริ่มต้นสำหรับการเดินทางเที่ยวเดียว 15 บาท แต่ถ้ามากว่า 1 เที่ยวต่อวัน จะจ่ายค่าโดยสารในราคาแค่ 30 บาท ส่วนรายสัปดาห์ จะคิดค่าโดยสารในราคา 150 บาท ขณะที่รายเดือนจะคิดค่าโดยสารในราคา 900 บาท ส่วนผู้พิการและคนชราจะได้รับส่วนลด 50% ขณะเดียวกันก็จะมีส่วนลดพิเศษสำหรับนักเรียน-นักศึกษาด้วย โดยคาดว่าหาก ขสมก. ดำเนินการได้ตามแผนที่กล่าวมาข้างต้น ขสมก.จะเริ่มมีกำไรประมาณ 500 ล้านบาทได้ภายในปี 2553

รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงคมนาคม กล่าวต่ออีกว่า สำหรับภาระหนี้ ที่ ขสมก. มีอยู่ 69,000 ล้านบาทนั้น คณะกรรมการ มีมติว่าให้พักการชำระหนี้ไว้ก่อน โดยจะให้กระทรวงการคลังรับภาระดอกเบี้ยปีละกว่า 2,000 ล้านบาทแทน ขสมก. เพราะถือว่าภาระหนี้นี้เกิดจากการที่ ขสมก.ตรึงค่าโดยสารไว้ เพื่อลดผลกระทบให้แก่ประชาชน ทั้งนี้ กระทรวงคมนาคม จะเสนอแผนฟื้นฟูกิจการ ขสมก. เข้าสู่การพิจารณาในที่ประชุมคณะรัฐมนตรี (ครม.) วันที่ 10 มิถุนายนนี้

"ประมาณเดือนมีนาคมปีหน้าเราจะมีรถเมล์ NGV ให้บริการล็อตแรก 3,000 คัน โดยแผนนี้รัฐบาลไม่ต้องรับผิดชอบค่าใช้จ่ายหรือให้งบประมาณแก่ ขสมก. เลย เพราะเขาจะใช้รายได้ของตัวเองมาจ่ายค่าเช่า ซึ่งเราประเมินไว้ว่า ขสมก.จะเริ่มมีกำไรในปี 2553 ประมาณ 500 ล้านบาท ก็จะแบ่งตรงนี้มาจ่ายค่าเช่ารถ และชำระหนี้อีกกว่า 69,000 ล้านบาท ซึ่งภาระหนี้จะลดลงเรื่อยๆ ทุกปี เนื่องจากกระทรวงการคลังจะรับภาระดอกเบี้ยให้" นายสันติ กล่าว

นายสันติ กล่าวเพิ่มเติมด้วยว่า หลังจากได้รับรถใหม่ 6,000 คันแล้ว ขสมก.จะนำรถเก่ามาเปิดประมูล โดยให้สิทธิ์องค์กรปกครองส่วนท้องถิ่นก่อน เพื่อนำรถไปใช้ประโยชน์ เช่น รับ-ส่งนักเรียน จากนั้นจึงจะให้สิทธิ์เอกชนทั่วไปเข้าประมูลแข่งขัน เพื่อนำไปใช้ประโยชน์ต่อไป

สำหรับรถร่วมบริการ ขสมก.นั้น จะไม่มีการยกเลิกสัญญาสัมปทานโดยเด็ดขาด แต่จะใช้วิธีเยียวยาผู้ประกอบการ โดยขณะนี้กระทรวงคมนาคม กำลังประสานกับกระทรวงพลังงาน เพื่อขอเงินจากกองทุนอนุรักษ์พลังงานประมาณ 9,000 ล้านบาท มาให้เอกชนกู้ยืม เพื่อใช้ปรับปรุงคุณภาพรถ โดยรัฐจะไม่บังคับว่าต้องปรับเป็นรถ NGV หรือ ต้องใช้ระบบ E-ticket แต่จะให้ดำเนิน การด้วยความสมัครใจ

"เราต้องดูแลคนทุกระดับในสังคม อย่างรถร่วมบริการเราถือว่า เขามีส่วนช่วยเหลือสังคมมากเช่นกัน และก็ต้องเข้าใจว่าการประกอบกิจการ ต้องมีรายได้มีกำไร การที่เขามาขอขึ้นค่าโดยสารถือเป็นเรื่องจำเป็นมีเหตุมีผล เพราะราคาน้ำมันเพิ่มสูงขึ้นมาก และเขามีภาระหนี้ มีครอบครัวต้องเลี้ยงดู อีกอย่างถ้าหากไปยึดสัมปทานคืนหมด เดี๋ยวขสมก.จะได้ใจ เราจึงคิดว่าใช้วิธีเยียวยารถร่วมบริการเพื่อให้เขามาเดินรถแข่งกับขสมก.จะดีกว่า" รัฐมนตรีว่าการกระทรวงคมนาคม กล่าว

Friday, June 6, 2008

Thaksin: I Want Ronaldinho's Magic

Thaksin: I Want Ronaldinho's Magic


Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has revealed his desire to secure the signing of Barcelona superstar Ronaldinho…

The Brazilian is heavily rumoured to be on his way out of Camp Nou this summer, having been linked consistently with a move to AC Milan.

The Rossoneri have turned their interest elsewhere though, clearing the path for City to make a move for the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year.

New manager Mark Hughes is reportedly keen to proceed with the deal, and Thaksin is thrilled at the prospect of landing one of the biggest names in football.

"Ronaldinho - you know, he is a great player," he told the Daily Mail. "Whatever the club in your heart, you would want to see this player in England, wouldn't you?"

Asked about the cash involved, Thaksin added: "It is not a risk. Sponsors will contribute. It will not damage our wage structure. Garry (Cook) and Pairoj, my chief advisor, they are taking care of this transfer. I am very excited.

"I am 59 next birthday, so I am not a man who can wait for many years to see my dreams come true."

Magic

After a disappointing and injury-riddled season at Barca, many have questioned whether Ronaldinho possesses the desire to regain his best form and fitness.

But Thaksin is convinced the former Gremio man needs nothing more than a change of scene to recapture his peak performance.

"Ronaldinho is 28," he said. "He has much still to offer, he is a star. You need a combination of new players, existing players, quality, young and old.

"I admit also you need a player who is more than just winning the match. You need a star who can play on the pitch, but who can achieve much more for the club. Ronaldinho is that player.

"I am hearing good things about his hunger. I have spoken to his brother (his agent). Ronaldinho wants the new challenge, the chance to play his best football again, to return to the days when he was really, really famous. The magic is still in his boots. Let us hope we can bring him."

From: http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=723907

My Take: Either Thaksin's trying to get media attention after bad bublicity about Swen or this is for real.


Sunday, June 1, 2008

Thai protesters defy PM's warning

Thai protesters defy PM's warning


Thousands of people have demonstrated in Bangkok, defying warnings of a crackdown issued by Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.

Riot police were deployed, but the authorities did not carry out the PM's threats, saying force would not be used as long as the protest was peaceful.

Opposition activists accuse Mr Samak of changing the constitution to protect his predecessor, Thaksin Shinawatra.

Reports say the instability coincides with rumours of an imminent coup.

The demonstration was led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, the group which led mass protests in 2006 that led to the military coup that ousted Mr Thaksin.

On Saturday, some protesters wore helmets and masks, apparently to protect themselves in case tear gas was used.

Resignation

There has been heightened political tension and demonstrations in recent weeks over the government's plans to revise the military-drafted constitution.

The opposition says Mr Samak is a close ally of Mr Thaksin, who they believe has a hidden, anti-monarchy agenda.

It says Mr Samak is trying to change the military-backed constitution to hold on to power and to prevent Mr Thaksin from facing corruption-related charges.

On Friday, a Thai cabinet minister accused of insulting the king - which is taken very seriously in Thailand, where the king is a revered figure - announced his resignation in an attempt to calm political tensions.

Jakrapob Penkair, who will be charged next week, strongly denies insulting the king, but said he was stepping down to end rumours of a military coup which were prompted by the allegations.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7429435.stm



Thailand May Use Force to End Protest, Samak Says

Thailand May Use Force to End Protest, Samak Says

By Rattaphol Onsanit

May 31 (Bloomberg) -- Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said he may use force to end an anti-government protest near his office that has lasted almost a week.

About 1,500 protesters are gathered close to Samak's office and the residence of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, according to Surapol Thuanthong, a deputy police spokesman in Bangkok. The demonstration, which swelled to as many as 10,000 yesterday, helped spur the biggest decline in the nation's stock market this week in almost 10 months on concern it will deter overseas investors and damp economic growth.

``I must take you away from that area,'' Samak said in a live television broadcast on state-controlled NBT today. ``I have police and military forces ready.''

The demonstrators are being led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, an activist group that spearheaded protests contributing to the overthrow of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. PAD leaders last night said they would maintain the demonstration until Samak steps down.

The military ousted Thaksin in a bloodless coup two years ago, claiming it acted to prevent a violent clash between the anti-government protesters and Thaksin's supporters. The benchmark SET Index fell 4.8 percent this week, the sharpest decline since August.

Another Coup

The army cannot rule out another coup, which would be the 19th since the nation's absolute monarchy ended in 1932, Supreme Military Commander Boonsrang Niumpradi said May 29.

The PAD claims Samak is a proxy for Thaksin, who pledged to stay out of politics following his overthrow. Samak's People's Power Party, which won a national election in December, includes politicians from Thaksin's now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party.

``My government is not a puppet government,'' Samak said. ``We are a government serving the King.''

The 80-year-old monarch is revered as a symbol of stability in the nation of 66 million people, many of whom have his portrait in their homes.

The protest gained momentum this week after police said it will charge Cabinet member Jakrapob Penkair, who headed Samak's office, for insulting the King in a speech he made last year before joining the government. Jakrapob announced his resignation yesterday.

``We will continue to protest until the government gets out,'' Parnthep Pourpongpan, a protest organizer, said last night. ``The people agreed to purge the government.''

The PAD began the demonstration to oppose constitutional changes that might prevent the ruling party from being disbanded. Organizers have since listed other reasons for their gathering, including threats to the monarchy and high fuel prices.

``The only way the People's Alliance can destabilize the government is to create conditions under which extra- constitutional intervention can take place,'' said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. ``It appears they are going in that direction.''

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=apExmxLc.H04&refer=asia

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