ASC to appoint sub-panel to handle CTX and Airport link probe

Asset Scrutiny Committee (ASC) is about to bring up the graft and corruption allegation of the Airport link project and CTX case to the panel during the meeting of Council of National Security (CNS) tomorrow (15 January). "The progress from last week performance of ASC of the probe will be disclosed in the meeting tomorrow, moreover, a sub-committee is expected to be set up soon" said ASC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang (สัก กอแสงเรือง), "Since AoT is now deemed as the damaged party, AoT will be allowed to lodge complaints."According to the conclusion of the meeting of CNS regarding the Airport Link project on the 3 January, a sub-panel was set up to probe former minister of Transport Mr. Suriya Jungrungreangkit (สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ ), former-secretary of Transport ministry Mr. Srisuk Chandrangsu (ศรีสุข จันทรางศุ), Bangkok International Airport Co (NBIA) head Gen Somchai Somprasong (สมชัย สมประสงค์) including other 13 people charged in breach of article 157 and the Organizational regulations of B.E. 2502.However, the case will become clearer when the plaintiffs file their complaints. In terms of rubber graft examination, the panel, led by Mr.Bancherd Singkhaneti (บรรเจิด สิงคะเนติ), have gathered information and pointed out that the project showed irregularities. Its conclusions will be finalized earlier before proposing to the CNS meeting this morning. Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 January 2007

Thailand charges Thaksin and wife with corruption

BANGKOK, Thailand: Thai prosecutors filed corruption charges against ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the Supreme Court on Thursday, in the first criminal charges ever filed against a former premier in Thailand.Thaksin, who has lived in exile oversees since his government was toppled in a military coup last September, was named along with his wife Pojamarn in a case involving allegations of wrongdoing in a land deal.The attorney general's office also recommended that officials seize the 33 rai (5.16 hectares or 13.2 acres) plot of land in central Bangkok, valued at 772 million baht (US$23.7 million, €20.9 million).The Supreme Court said they would decide on July 10 if they will hear the case.They were the first formal criminal charges against Thaksin since he was accused of corruption and ousted by military leaders in a bloodless coup on Sept. 19 while he was in New York, and the first time a former premier was formally charged in court."In the charges against the suspect (Thaksin), the state authority charges him with abuse of power in that he acted for personal gain, and violated anti-corruption laws," prosecutor Seksan Bangsomboon said.The charges also include conflict of interest and dereliction of duty for personal gain, Seksan said.Thaksin was overthrown after demonstrations calling for him to step down because of alleged corruption and abuse of power.A business deal by his family — the 73.3 billion baht (US$1.9 billion; €1.55 billion at January 2006 rates of exchange) sale last year of telecommunications company Shin Corp. to a Singapore state investment company — contributed to the public discontent. Source Associated Press

Thai Parliament chief found guilty of fraud

By South East Asia Correspondent Karen Percy Feb 26, 2008

Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's new Government could be dissolved, after the House of Representatives Speaker was found guilty of electoral fraud. (File photo) (AFP: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul) Thailand's new Government is facing a potential crisis with one of its leading members found guilty of election fraud. Thailand's Election Commission has ruled today that new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yongyuth Tiyapairat, was guilty of bribing officials in December's election. The case has now been referred to the Supreme Court. The decision has shocked the new Government, led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and could mean the People Power Party is dissolved. Mr Samak has another potential headache to contend with if ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returns as rumoured later this week. While Mr Thaksin is currently banned from politics, he is expected to be able to overrule Mr Samak.

Film Executive and Spouse Indicted for Paying Bribes to a Thai Tourism Official
Thu Jan 17, 2008

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien for the Central District of California announced that a Los Angeles-area film executive and his spouse were indicted late yesterday on allegations of making corrupt payments to a Thai government official in order to obtain lucrative contracts to run an international film festival held annually in Bangkok, in
violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Gerald Green, 75, and his wife Patricia Green, 52, both of West Hollywood, co-owners of Film Festival Management, Inc. (FFM), a Los Angeles-based film company, were indicted by a federal grand jury in Los Angeles on one count of conspiracy to bribe a foreign public official in violation of the FCPA and six substantive counts of violating the FCPA. The charges stem from a conspiracy to make more than $900,000 in bribe
payments for the benefit of a government official who headed the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to obtain contracts to manage and operate the annual Bangkok International Film Festival ("BKKIFF") from 2002-2007. According to the indictment, the Greens owned and operated Film Festival Management, which was formed in 2002 specifically to obtain the contracts to operate and manage the BKKIFF. As charged, from 2002 and continuing into 2007, the Greens conspired with others to bribe a senior Thai government official who was, at the time, the president of the BKKIFF and the governor of the TAT. As a result of her position at the TAT, the governor was able to influence the awarding of the BKKIFF contracts. More than $900,000 in payments are alleged to have been made for the benefit of the governor in exchange for payments totaling more than $7,000,000 under the BKKIFF contracts. The indictment charges that the Greens used different business entities, some with dummy business addresses and telephone numbers, in their dealings with the TAT in order to hide the large amount of money the Greens were being paid under the contracts. The indictment further charges that the Greens disguised the bribes as "sales commission" payments and made the payments for the benefit of the governor through the foreign bank accounts of intermediaries, including bank accounts in the name of the governor's daughter. The Greens were charged by criminal complaint on Dec. 7, 2007, and arrested on
Dec. 17, 2007. The conspiracy and FCPA allegations each carry a maximum of five years in prison. The criminal case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Lopez of the Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Searby of the Central District of California. The case was investigated by agents of the FBI, Los Angeles Field Office. An indictment is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
SOURCE U.S. Department of Justice Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs, +1-202-514-2007

Thailand's Department of Special Investigations is expected Friday to announce the results of its probe into corruption allegations involving Juthamas Siriwan, the former head of the Bangkok Intl. Film Festival. Siriwan allegedly received some $900,000 in bribes from Hollywood producer Gerald Green and his wife Patricia, co-owners of L.A.-based Film Festival Management, to secure contracts to run the fest. The couple were arrested Dec. 17 and indicted Jan. 17. Each pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to bribe a foreign public official in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and six substantive counts of violating the FCPA. They are on bail pending trial in September The FBI affidavit detailing the scam does not name Siriwan as the recipient of the bribes, but identifies her as the then-governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and president of the festival. She denies the allegations Col. Piyawat Kingket, commander of DSI's Special Crime Office, said his agency will submit reports to the National Counter Corruption Commission. The NCCC could move to trial, drop the case or launch a fuller probe.

Former TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan currently has a big arrow over her head. Juthamas is well aware of what people have been saying and has come out herself and stated that she will sue the US Justice Department if she is linked to the case. At a press conference, she said, “All the procedures involving the case had been done according to the regulations and with fairness and transparence to all agencies concerned. TAT had set up a panel to handle the process.” (The Nation) That sounds like an admission of guilt. Regulations mean nothing in this context. In the past, she:
Called off searching for bodies of tsunami victims because it looked bad to tourists.
Was involved in the Thailand Elite Card fiasco that saw millions of baht in unpaid advertising bills after the whole initiative bombed. Was quoted as saying that the murder of a British couple in Kanchanburi was bad for tourism. Clearly, this woman is dedicated to tourism.

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