Transport minister accused of land encroachment, asset concealment and conflicts of interest
The opposition has filed a petition against Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob for allegedly encroaching on state land, failing to declare his assets and committing conflicts of interest.
The Pheu Thai, Move Forward, Prachachart, Seri Ruam Thai and Pheu Chart parties jointly submitted their petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against the minister on Thursday.
The petition asked the NACC to investigate the minister for his alleged failure to act quickly in ordering the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to reclaim its land in Khao Kradong area in Muang district of Buri Ram, the minister’s home province.
The land in question has allegedly been encroached on, with land rights papers illegally issued. Mr Saksayam is accused of neglecting his duty to order the SRT, which is supervised by the ministry, to revoke the papers.
The opposition alleged Mr Saksayam and his relatives illegally possessed the land in Khao Kradong on which they operate a business, and that the minister was seeking to hold on to the land for as long as possible.
The opposition has also asked the NACC to forward the case to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Position Holders. If the court accepts the case and finds the minister guilty, he is liable to a lifetime ban from politics for a gross violation of ethics.
As well, the opposition has accused Mr Saksayam of concealing his ownership in two companies that have entered into a building contract with the Transport Ministry.
The minister did not specify that he owned the firms in his asset declaration to the NACC, which constitutes a legal violation, the opposition said.
Thawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Prachachart Party, said Mr Saksayam must be investigated for suspected dereliction of duty and a serious breach of the ethics.
The opposition has presented documentary evidence to the NACC along with a request for the case to be forwarded to the Supreme Court after the anti-graft commission has completed its investigation.
Pol Col Thawee claimed Mr Saksayam’s investment in one of the two firms in question was worth 38 million baht. However, this sum was nowhere to be found in his asset declaration to the NACC.
The documentary evidence submitted to the NACC was compiled primarily from the most recent no-confidence debate held from July 19-22, in which Mr Saksayam was among the censure targets in the government. All of the targets survived the no-confidence votes.