Sutha faces scrutiny over his qualifications

Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat promised further examination into the educational credentials of Social Development and Human Security Minister Sutha Chansaeng if that would clear any suspicion, said yesterday.

Published on March 20, 2008

Somchai, who is also deputy prime minister, said Sutha's educational background was checked by the Cabinet Secretariat when he was appointed to the Cabinet.

"We can do the checking again if there is any suspicion. We will make things clear and there will be no attempt to hide anything," Somchai said. He said the Education Ministry would work with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in any further probe about Sutha's educational background.

Sutha, who insisted that he had graduated with a bachelor's degree, said that he was "glad" to be examined. "I am ready to cooperate to allow the truth to be known," he said.

The Constitution requires members of the Cabinet to have at least a bachelor's degree, compared to the 1997 charter, which also required Members of Parliament to have minimum university education.

A recent document by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security stated that the minister graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Management) from Republican College, Philippines, in 1984.

Sutha has never specified the information in previous official documents about his educational background.

In 1985, his campaign flyer for Bangkok's City Council election stated his maximum education as Grade 12. In his campaign flyer for last year's general election, it was specified as an Advanced Diploma and Certificate in Logistics and Transport. The CSC secretary-general, Preecha Watcharaphai, yesterday said the agency had made an initial investigation and discovered that the Republican College is an institution of higher education that is certified by the CSC.

However, the agency has not investigated whether Sutha actually graduated from the college as that would infringe on his personal right.

Hassaya Chartmontri

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/20/politics/politics_30068667.php

My Take: Yeah! Something is not right!! Lots of discrepancies.

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL

Apirak is a true Democrat : Abhisit

BKK City Governor Apirak Kosayodhin suspended his duty on Thursday after anti-graft committee linked him to fire truck scandals.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said City Governor Apirak Kosayodhin is a true Democrat after he announced to suspend his duty to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it. He had no other options," Abhisit said.

He was referring to Apirak's involvement in making downpayments inspite of irregularities which led to the graft ruling against him.

The job suspension happened a day following the ruling by the Assets Examination Committee to suspect foul play involving Apirak and three other senior officials relating to the purchase contract for fire trucks signed when Prime Minister Samak Sunadaravej was the city governor.

Samak has been singled out among the first batch of suspects and is rebutting charges in the pre-trial preparations.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/13/politics/politics_30068043.php

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL: Nathanon "doesn't have to quit": Sutha

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL

Nathanon "doesn't have to quit": Sutha

The boss of Nathanon Thavisin on Thursday insisted he would not suspend her from the position of adviser to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry inspite of her involvement in irregularities relating to the fire trucks scandal.

Minister Sutha Chansaeng said Nathanon's present job had no bearing on the case which happened when she was the city clerk of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

"Nathanon is advising me on the affairs of women and children and I don't think this has anything to do with the charges raised against her," he said.

Nathanon is among the second batch of suspects which include Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and former commerce minister Watana Muangsuk from the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

The naming of additional suspects is the fallout from the graft indictments against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej who approved the suspicious deal when he was the city governor.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/13/politics/politics_30068045.php

Abhisit praises Apirak for showing accountability

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said Apirak Kosayodhin is a true Democrat after the Bangkok governor announced to suspend his duty in order to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it and had no other options," Abhisit said in reference to Apirak's involvement in making downpayments inspite of irregularities which led to the graft ruling against him.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30068041

My Take:
It's a good example for all Thai politicians. Even though this can be looked as making his image (or Democrat Party) looks better than PPP's people including Samuk S. the P.M. The bar has been raised.

FOURTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY - Missing Lawyer Somchai

FOURTH YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Missing Lawyer Somchai

Angkhana Neelaphaichit delivers a statement at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of her husband, Somchai, on Wednesday

While this statement is read, I am at the United Nations' Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Switzerland, to present a report on the human rights situation in Thailand and also to report on the latest developments and obstacles in the investigation of the disappearance of Mr Somchai Neelapaichit, which was taken up by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (UNWGED) four years ago.

"The first trial implicating five police officers in the disappearance of Somchai Neelapaichit, who were charged with coercion and robbery, ended two years ago and the First Court's verdict stated that there was a police officer together with another three to five persons who forced Somchai into a car before he disappeared on March 12, 2004.

"This court case is now under the consideration of the Court of Appeal. The Department of Special Investigations has been in charge of investigating the case and pressing further charges. In addition, the DSI has requested that the Office of the National Counter Corruption Commission investigate police officers who were allegedly torturing Somchai's clients in January 2004.

"It is believed that Somchai was abducted because of his complaint against the torture allegations.

"The present government of Samak Sundaravej sacked Mr Sunai Manomai-udom and appointed Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong as acting director of the Department of Special Investigations, and Police General Sombat Amornwiwat as an advisor to the Ministry of Justice. Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong stated in an interview to the media that he will give priority to the Somchai Neelapaichit case.

"In commemoration of Somchai's disappearance four years ago, I would like to make the following appeal to the Thai government and the DSI:

"1. To request that the Thai government and the DSI be sincere in bringing justice to this case and prosecuting the wrongdoers, including high-ranking police officers, as it is my belief that his enforced disappearance is a heinous crime against humanity.

"2. To request that the DSI be courageous and to call Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, to give testimony as a witness in this case. Information has been received that a close colleague of Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra went to search for information and a picture of Mr Somchai Neelapaichit at the Government Identification Information Centre. In addition, Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin, himself, stated in an interview to all media on January 13, 2006, the day after the verdict of the First Court, that he knows "that Somchai has passed away because evidence suggests so…"

"As Thaksin was prime minister at that time, this interview must be credible and he must have had enough evidence before saying this.

"3. Contained in the verdict of the First Court, the testimony of a plaintiff witness reveals that "...Police Major General Krisada Phankongchuen received information from Police Lieutenant Colonel Wannaphong Kotcharath that Police Lieutenant Colonel Charnchai Likhitkhanthasorn had met with a known group of people in front of the Crime Suppression Unit, who informed him that they were going to abduct a corrupt lawyer. Later, Police Lieutenant Colonel Charnchai informed Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong about this information..."

"Therefore, Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, who is now the acting director of the DSI, has the responsibility to clarify whether he knew of Somchai Neelapaichit's disappearance.

"4. To request that the DSI be very careful in this case and to try to compile strong evidence so that the wrongdoers will be prosecuted. The DSI should not hurry to pursue the case in court without relevant and strong evidence. A lack of strong evidence means that the real culprits will not be prosecuted, or that innocent people will be punished for crimes they did not commit.

"5. To request that the Thai government ratify the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, in order to guarantee the safety and protection of everyone from enforced disappearance.

"I strongly believe that the success of the Somchai Neelapaichit case will be determined by the sincerity of the government and the effectiveness of the DSI. Of particular concern is the fact that Police General Sombat Amornwiwat, who was the former supervisor of the five accused persons standing trial in the case before, is now an advisor to the Ministry of Justice. "At the same time, I would like to give my support to every officer who works under the rule of law and tries to bring to justice those people who have either committed crimes or give shelter to human rights violators.

"Lastly, I would like to thank my Thai sisters and brothers who continue to give warm support while facing these obstacles to justice.

"I and my family are constantly receiving friendship from various people in society. This gives me the strength to keep fighting for justice.

Thank you.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/12/national/national_30067968.php

Samak becomes pale when shown his picture taken with Prapass

Febuary 22, 2008
Thailand

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej became pale when reporters showed him his picture s which he took with Field Marshal Prapass Jarusathien following the massacre of student activists on October 6 1976.

"Is that me? I didn't know I took this picture. I didn't know when I post for this picture and why," Samak exclaimed when seeing the picture.

Reporters showed him the picture when he was giving a weekly interview to Government House reporters.

The reporters asked him to comment on the opposition's plan to demand him to tell the House of his role during the October 6 event.

Samak insisted that only one student was killed at Sanam Luang and said he could not remember why he told Thai students in France that many students were killed.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30066176