Thailand political crisis!

[Admin]

Thailand Finance Minister denies ordering 12 billion baht of Thaksin's funds unfrozen 

Bangkok Post: 25 Aug 2008
SCB asks court to rule on B12bn

Will keep frozen funds until 'conflict' clarified

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has asked the Administrative Court how it should deal with the demand by the Revenue Department to hand over the 12 billion baht it holds in the frozen accounts of the Thaksin Shinawatra children.

The bank said yesterday it will keep the disputed money until the issue has been clarified.

The bank's statement said it had petitioned the Administrative Court for a ruling.

It has also sent a letter to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) and the Office of the Attorney-General requesting their views.

The bank said it received a written order from the Revenue Department on Friday requiring that it hand over 12 billion baht frozen in accounts in the names of Mr Thaksin's adult son and daughter, Panthongtae and Pinthongta, for settlement of a tax obligation.

It acknowledged the instruction and was ready to comply, but the accounts were under an attachment order issued by the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC).

It was impossible to comply with both orders, which were conflicting.

''Should the bank follow one order, the bank will be subject to a criminal charge on the grounds of violation of the other order,'' it said.

The requested sum is part of the 76 billion baht of Shinawatra assets ordered frozen by the now defunct ASC. About 39.63 billion baht was deposited with the SCB.

The ASC's cases have been taken over by NCCC.

Mr Panthongtae and Ms Pinthongta are accused of evading tax on estimated earnings of 15 billion baht from the sale by the Shinawatra family's British Virgin Islands-based Ample Rich Investment Co of 329.2 million Shin Corp shares to the siblings at one baht per share on Jan 20, 2006, when the market price was then 47.25 baht per share.

''As this important and sensitive issue arises at the time the Office of the Attorney-General lodges a lawsuit with the Supreme Court to seize assets of related parties in the case, the bank is obliged to consider the order prudently,'' the statement said.

The board of directors would discuss the issue shortly.

There was speculation the Revenue Department had acted on the orders of Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and the money, if transferred, might be returned to the Shinawatra family.

Mr Surapong denied the speculation on Friday, saying the ministry had nothing to do with the department's action.

It was not clear which agency had the authority to freeze or unfreeze the assets, he said.

Deputy Attorney-General Waiyawuth Lortrakul said yesterday nobody is allowed to transfer the money without the court's permission.

The prosecution team handling the seizure of the assets has finalised its 124-page indictment and will today ask the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to order the seizure of the assets, he said. Unless the court orders otherwise, the assets must remain frozen until the court delivers its final verdict.

Mr Waiyawuth said the assets seizure case is a civil matter. If the court accepts the case and issues summonses but the defendants do not appear in court, the trial can continue in their absence.

Democrat party deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij said the Revenue Department had no authority to unfreeze the assets.

''The department estimated the tax to be collected from them two months ago. Why did it have to rush to get the frozen money to pay the tax?'' he said.

He said the department was trying to bring the money within its authority so it can begin tax appeal proceedings.
 

[Admin]

Thai PM to hold Cabinet meeting at Government House despite protest  
The Nation: 25 Aug 2008
Samak says he will hold Cabinet meeting at Government House despite protest

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Monday that he will hold the weekly Cabinet meeting at Government on Tuesday as usual although the People's Alliance for Democracy plans a mass demonstration there.

Samak said the government would ensure that no violence break out during the protest.

He also threatened to take action against the PAD if it breaks the laws during the protest.

He said police would do their best to keep security and order.

He said the government could not be blamed if any damage occurs and his government would try to keep law and order as best and long as possible.
 

[nookiebear]

The standoff with the police is still going on.............Difficult to see a peaceful outcome of this lot,a lot of support for the protests from high ranking military officers

[nookiebear]

What a farce,so many depts ,so many grey areas,it can only happen here

[Admin]

PM to be granted an audience with HM the King at 5pm Saturday
The Nation 11:55 am

He will fly to Hua Hin and is scheduled to be granted an audience at 5pm to report the political tensions in the country.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is expected to be granted an audience with HM the King this afternoon.

Anti-government protesters have seized the Government House since Tuesday and police's uses of forces on the protesters on Friday added the tensions to the political atmosphere.

An informed source said that Samak failed to have an audience with HM the King earlier, so he is rescheduled this afternoon.

[Lourens]

By The Nation
Published on September 1, 2008


The ruling People Power Party (PPP) yesterday moved to mobilise masses in Bangkok and provinces to join counter rallies against the anti government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).


Thousands of PAD protesters still occupied Government House for the sixth day, paralysing the administration of Samak Sundaravej, which yesterday also resorted to a joint parliamentary session to try to defuse the PAD protests.


A PPP source said government MPs, especially those in the Northeast, were ordered to organise at least 5,000 supporters per province to hold counterrallies in front of the provincial city halls.


These counterrallies will also head for Bangkok if the PAD did not stop pressuring the Samak government, he said.


"In Bangkok, we've also prepared to enlist supporters to join the progovernment Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship or DAAD."


"These supporters are mainly those working inside industrial estates and factories in Bangkok's peripherals, " said the PPP official.


The progovernment camp also issued  an ultimatum for PAD protesters to leave  Government House within the next week or else it would step up its counterattacks.


"If they're still adamant, our supporters from all over the country will join forces to help PM Samak to return to his office," Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, of the progovernment DAAD, told crowds gathering at Sanam Luang.


The progovernment camp also threatened to set the headquarters of opposition Democrat Party on fire as one of its key members is a PAD leader.


Pracha Prasobdee, a Samut Prakarn MP, said more government MPs would join the counterrally held by DAAD to show support for Samak.


"We won't use violence. We will be  peaceful and I believe hundreds of thousands of people will join counterrallies," he said.


    The progovernment DAAD yesterday held a counterrally in front of Parliament as MPs and senators joined the debate on antigovernment protests.


Besides the Bangkok counterrally, progovernment groups also show up in several northeastern and northern provinces such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaing Mai and Buriram.


In the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, pro and antigovernment groups held rallies next to each other near Suranaree Monument. Police was told to be on high alert to help prevent a potential clash.


Prapas Ngoksungnone, a leader of the antigovernment rally, accused the government of failing to tackle the hardship of farmers.


The government has committed massive corruption and acted as a proxy of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said, adding that his group held the rally to protest against the use of force against unarmed protesters in Bangkok.


Pol Col Boonlert Wongwatchana said more than 50 police were deployed at Suranaree Monument.


In Khon Kaen, some 20 teacher groups issued a statement in support of Samak and condemning the PAD.


Niyom Sriwiset, a teacher leader, said Khon Kaen teachers disagreed with the PAD and wanted the government to restore order.


In Roi Et, some 1,000 provincial DAAD members also demonstrated in support of Samak.


In Buri Ram, PPP MP Sanong Thepaksornnarong led more than 10,000 people from 23 districts in a rally at the Muang district office supporting Samak.


In Chiang Mai, some 500 people led by Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul, chairman of the Federation of Northern People for Democracy, also demonstrated at city hall in support of the government.

[Admin]

State of emergency announced in Bangkok
The Nation: 2 Sep 2008

PM to have absolute control; PAD to go on protesting despite state of emergency; more people join protest at Government House, pro-goverment protesters dispersse

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Tuesday announced the state of emergency in Bangkok following a clash between the pro and anti-government supporters early in the morning.

Reasoning that some groups of people caused disturbances in Bangkok that affect the peace and security, Samak announced the enforcement of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations in Bangkok.

The prime minister's order also appointed the army chief to be in charge of enforcing the emergency decree in Bangkok.

Thai PBS said the PM's order would exempt the enforcement paragraph 1 of Article 9 which prohibit people from leaving their houses, meaning peole can still go t work.

The station said the announcement would prohibit gathering of more than five people.

But the state of emerency authorises the authorities to evict people from any place or prohibit them from enteirng a place.

The state of emergency also prohibits news publicity in a way that terrifies the public.

The state of emergency also allows the authorities to detain suspects for seven days and would prohibit people from making illegal entries into government offices.

Pro-government protesters dispersesd soon after learning about the the emerency situation announcement.

But the leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy said the protest would continue at Government House.

Thai PBS reporter reported from the scene that more people came out to join the rally Tuesday morning.

Democrat Party MP Sathit Wongnongtoey said the state of emergency would allow the prime minister to have absolute control.

Sathit said it seemed that the government foresaw the violence and state of emergency. He said the prime minster and People Power MPs indicated the violence would take place when they spoke during a debate on the political crisis Sunday night.

[Admin]

Rumours spread Samak will announce resignation Thursday morning
The Nation: 3 Sep 2008

Rumours had it throughout the day that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was granted an audience with His Majesty the King to inform His Majesty of his intention to resign.

The rumours said Samak had booked time slot of Radio Thailand at 7:30 am to announce his resignation.

[TBWG]

Rumours spread Samak will announce resignation Thursday morning
The Nation: 3 Sep 2008

Rumours had it throughout the day that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was granted an audience with His Majesty the King to inform His Majesty of his intention to resign.

The rumours said Samak had booked time slot of Radio Thailand at 7:30 am to announce his resignation.

When I told the Boss Lady yesterday that Samak was about to resign , she said ...Oh yes ..wait and see.  Obviously more perceptive than I thought!

TBWG

[Admin]

Samak denies he plans to resign

The Nation September 4, 2008

Speaking live on Radio Thailand, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej denied that he planned to announce his resignation on radio Thursday morning.

"How could I resign? I cannot resign," Samak said.

"I will stay on to protect democracy of this country. The whole world is watching us."

"I need to uphold the rule of law because we are not a barbaric country," the prime minister added.

Samak said he planned to hold a live talk on Radio Thailand to talk to people who plan to join the protests to ask them to have a second thought.

He said he learnt about the speculation of his resignation from reports on several TV stations.

[Admin]

Foreigners unfazed by situation
By SUNDAY NATION

The Nation: 7 Sep 2008

More than 50 per cent of foreign visitors view the recent clashes between pro- and anti-government demonstrators as "normal" in a democratic system.

The clashes led to the declaration of a state of emergency. However, most visitors are happy about their trips and would return.
Abac Poll director Noppadon Kannika said yesterday a survey conducted between Tuesday and Friday, which quizzed 532 foreign tourists and business people in Thailand for the first time, found most knew about the street riots and emergency declaration.

Almost 60 per cent viewed the incidents as normal in a democratic system.

Some 49 per cent said they were affected by the protests, including travel-plan disruptions due to airport closures and railway strikes.

However, they were generally satisfied with Thailand, including the culture, food, tourist attractions as well as safety of life and property.

They were less satisfied about politics, economy and social justice.

The visitors' overall happiness scores before and after the clashes were almost the same - 8.02 and 8.06 out of 10 respectively, Noppadon said.

A group of 97 per cent said it will visit again despite the recent incidents and 99 per cent said it would encourage others to visit the kingdom, he said.
Noppadon said these visitors had probably seen activists in other countries and believed the political turmoil here would end peacefully because the riots had stopped.

 

[Yellow Tree]

On the bright side of a serious note:

  Other than getting stuck at Suvarnabhumi Airport by wayward protestors I think it is a great time to visit Thailand. Only people with a little common sense should heed this advice though. It may not be the best idea to look for photo opportunities around the protest areas. Eventually there will be a big "pop" beteen the protesters, but Thailand will still go on. If you can stay out of a red and yellow shirt or pak ka maa, then you should be fine. I would try to avoid the central areas of Krung Thep (Bangkok) and the farthest provinces to the south (Ya La and Na Ra Thi Wat). The Grand Palace may be the only thing worth seeing that should be missed.

  A couple of my recent trips to Thailand were during SARs and the Avian Flu. Many would-be tourist stayed home and the Thai Vendors were really happy to see me. My Thai wife and I went down to Pattaya and stayed at the Woodlawn Resort for $40.00 US: she went in and made the price while I waited outside. The exchange is not quite as good now, but that was really a great deal. I had a suit made by an Indian tailor that needed to pay his rent and came out very pleased with that price also.

  It is really unbelievable to me how in the last two years Thailand has broken the positive momentum it had gained. I have to keep reminding myself the previous long period of "peace" was actually abnormal for Thailand and the occasional Coup is the norm.
  I also believe as a middle-class develops in Issan there will be a little more stability: Poor people with the power to vote (control) tend to make the Bangkok Elite a little edgy. Sonthi has targeted Issan for just that reason.
  The removal of Samak will not change where the core Conservative votes are coming from: the Northeast. Whether it is Thai Rak Thai or the People's Power Party or another name we have not heard yet, the voting block in the Northeast will vote the same. I can see more of these new growing pains for Thailand for some time to come.

  Any other opinions on these thoughts?

[nookiebear]

 Well it's certainly had a big impact in visitors to Pattaya.I have just spent a week down there,No coachloads of Japanese,Chinese,Koreans anywhere.Just like a visit to the local crem.

[somchai]

What a farce,so many depts ,so many grey areas,it can only happen here

Not terribly observant. As this is SOP most everywhere....such is just presented differently.