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2008 NEWS FROM THAILAND

NEWS ON THE THAI POLITICAL FRONT. IF MR THAKSIN SHINAWATRA CAN BEAT THE TAX & CORRUPTION CHARGES THEN HE IS SET TO LEAD THAILAND ONCE AGAIN. WILL THIS BE GOOD FOR THAILAND! & WILL HE BE HEAVY HANDED ON FIGHTING CORRUPTION WITHIN OR JUST ADD TO THE POT. ONLY HE AS A TRUE BELIEVER IN THE WELL BEING OF THE THAI NATION CAN ANSWER THIS???

When the power of love overcomes the love of power
the world will know peace. Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970)

$1.7M TAT SCANDAL Bribery charge probed
Juthamas denies accusations she was paid for film festival contract

Published on December 20, 2007

Former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Juthamas Siriwan has threatened to sue the US Justice Department if it implicated her in a bribery scandal involving two Americans who won contracts to manage the 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival (BIFF). Juthamas denied any involvement and insisted the selection of the organiser was carried out in accordance with the rules and laws. However, because of the allegation, she will tender her resignation from the Puea Pandin Party and not run as a candidate for a Bangkok seat in the election. "All the procedures involving the case were done according to the regulations and with fairness and transparency among all agencies concerned. I have already contacted the company in Los Angeles and found that some employees were fired for unknown reasons. I believe those cases were caused by internal conflicts inside the company," she said at a press conference yesterday. She insisted the case was a matter for the US and had no direct link to Thailand.

The National Counter Corruption Commission said it was gathering information on the case and might seek more data from the US, NCCC member Klanarong Chantik said yesterday. He said the anti-graft agency would meet to determine whether it had authority in the matter. He said he believed it could investigate as it involved allegations of bribery. The US Justice Department said on Tuesday Gerald Green, a Los Angeles-based businessman, and his wife Patricia had been arrested for paying US$1.7 million dollars (Bt52 million) in bribes to a Thai government official in return for the $10 million contract to manage the 2004 BIFF. This violated the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The criminal complaint was filed in Los Angeles on December 7. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the issue in 2006. The department's statement said the Greens set up a company, Film Festival Management, in 2003 to bid for the BIFF contract. The Greens were awarded festival management contracts for three years from 2004 to 2006. Between 2003 and 2007 the Greens allegedly funnelled cash to a Thai tourism official who used the money to influence the awarding of the contracts for the film festival, which is run by the TAT.

In an affidavit to the case, a number of companies were used in receiving and wiring money to a number of accounts in the United Kingdom, Singapore and the Isle of Jersey. Some of the companies share a similar office address. Neither Juthamas' name nor the recipient of the alleged bribes were identified in the statement. The FBI affidavit occasionally used the term "the Governor" and "the Governor's daughter". A number of companies were alleged to have been the originators of 41 wire transfers from May 2003 to October 2006 to the recipient who was identified as "the Governor's daughter".

Juthamas served as the TAT governor from 2001-2006. Earlier, under her tenure, TAT was involved in a scandal involving over Bt100 million in debts to CNN and print publications for the worldwide advertising of the Thailand Privilege Card. The ads were aired and printed without a contract.
Meanwhile the TAT will look into the allegations. An investigating committee will be chaired by the deputy governor for international marketing, Juthaporn Roengronasa. TAT Governor Phornsiri Manoharn said the committee will investigate how many TAT projects have been awarded to the Greens. "In fact I have heard about this before and I reported it to Tourism Minister Suvit Yodmani in October when the FBI directly informed us of the case," Phornsiri said. TAT indeed awarded the Greens the 2007 film festival contract but after Phornsiri took office last December she cut the Bt200 million budget and awarded a contract worth Bt70 million to a Thai organiser.
According to the US Justice Department, the Greens were alleged to have conspired with others to bribe a senior Thai official who was then the president of the BKKIFF and the governor of TAT. "As a result of her position at the TAT, the governor was able to influence the awarding of the BKKIFF contracts as well as other TAT contracts. More than US$1.7 million in payments were allegedly made for the benefit of the governor," it said. The couple also owned and operated SASO Entertainment and Flying Pen, which were alleged to have received contracts from TAT through the Greens' relationship with the TAT official. Patricia Green was their president. SASO won the marketing rights for the Thailand Privilege Card while Flying Pen was contracted to produce calendars and a book on Thailand. Gerald Green was also alleged to have arranged contracts between TAT and other US businesses, in return for large "commissions" that, in part, went to "the Governor". The Nation

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

Panel probe 3 alleged Thaksin corruption cases

The Thai government's Assets Examination Committee (AEC), meeting Monday, is to empanel three separate subcommittees to conduct hearings on three alleged corruption cases committed during the government of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to AEC spokesman Sak Korsaengruang. The cases encompass the overpriced purchase of CTX 9000 bomb scanners for Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi airport, the purchase of underground electric cables for Suvarnabhumi Airport, and the procurement of 90 million rubber saplings for distribution to farmers carried out by Department of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. As for the first two cases related to the Suvarnabhumi airport, Airports of Thailand (AoT), deemed as the damaged party, filed graft complaints with the AEC last week. Twenty-three persons, including former prime minister Thaksin, and former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, have been implicated in irregularities involving the procurement of the CTX bomb scanners.

As for the rubber saplings case, the AEC panel had identified former deputy agriculture minister Newin Chidchob and former deputy agriculture permanent secretary Chakan Saengraksawong as being implicated. They are alleged to have been involved in fixing specifications to favour Charoen Pokphand Seeds. Mr. Sak said the AEC is expected to set up three separate sub-panels to question all individuals implicated in the cases before filing formal charges against them.Asked how the AEC will present charges to Mr. Thaksin, if he is formally implicated in the CTX case, as he is now abroad in self-imposed exile, Mr. Sak said the AEC will post the formal charges to him at his registered household address. If the ousted premier wishes to object the persons named to the inquiry sub-panel, he can do so in writing, meaning he does not need to return to Thailand. Also, at the stage of clarifying allegations, Mr. Sak explained, the AEC allows the accused individuals to either testify in person or in writing. Therefore, there is no need for Mr.Thaksin to return to the kingdom to defend himself.
Source: TNA - 15 January 2007

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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Oh dear isn't Thai Politics something!!!!!!but wait we have more. The Political scene is heating up with the old school getting its hands more in their favour ALTHOUGH the PAD are also determined to get rid of the present Government of Mr Samak.

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