Thaksin still aiming for July return

On: June 14, 2023

Thaksin: Has yetto set return date

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate and daughter of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday confirmed her father’s plans to return to Thailand next month.

She also said she was ready to be the next prime minister if Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat could not assume the position.

Ms Paetongtarn said at Pheu Thai’s headquarters yesterday that the last time she spoke to her father, he was determined to return next month as he had promised.

She rejected claims her mother Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra and other members of the family did not want Thaksin to come back next month.

They are not opposed to his return but are worried about the possible consequences, Ms Paetongtarn said.

“He said he was looking at the [political] situation. He doesn’t want his return to cause unrest,” she said.

Ms Paetongtarn said Thaksin has been living in exile for 17 years, and has often expressed his desire to return, especially since the birth of his seventh grandchild, her son.

While confirming Thaksin’s return next month, Ms Paetongtarn stopped short of saying what date he would arrive, saying he will decide the date himself. Thaksin turns 76 on July 26.

Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006, while overseas. He has since been living in a self-imposed exile, except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008.

When asked if Ms Paetongtarn was prepared to be the next prime minister if Mr Pita could not take up the job, she said she would not have agreed to be a Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate if she was not ready for the position.

Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thai’s three candidates and former president of the Sansiri real estate empire, warned that the prolonged uncertainty over formation of the new government could hold back investments.

Ballot box probe set to begin

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

BURI RAM: Local election officials have been asked to investigate why it took four-and-a-half hours to transport ballot boxes in a tightly-fought constituency about 20 kilometres after voting ended in the general election.

Ten complainants from Non Suwan and Nong Ki districts filed the request at the Election Commission’s Buri Ram office in Muang district yesterday.

Their leader, Sawat Jampasasawangwong, said it took election officials from 9.30pm on May 14 to about 2am on May 15 to transport Constituency 7 ballot boxes from the Non Suwan district office to Nong Ki district office.

The distance was only 20 kilometres, leaving them wondering why it took so long. The ballot boxes were finally stored at Nong Ki police station in Nong Ki district.

The complainants also said the ballot boxes did not appear to be sealed properly when they arrived in Nong Ki and the number of used ballots from some polling stations in Constituency 7 exceeded the number of people who turned up to vote there on May 14.

Provincial election office representatives accepted the complaint and said they would investigate.

Buri Ram’s Constituency 7 covers Nong Ki, Non Suwan and parts of Pa Kham and Nong Hong districts, and borders Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Bhumjaithai Party candidate Pornchai Srisuriyanyothin won the seat with 28,685 votes.

Second place went to Panthanu Wankangsai of the Pheu Thai Party with 28,470 votes.

Bhumjaithai won all 10 constituency seats in the northeastern province.

Officials face embezzlement probes

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Govt agencies lose ‘millions’ of baht

Officials from local administrative organisations (LAOs) in at least seven provinces have embezzled millions of baht from local government agencies, or are suspected of doing so, according to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB).

The CIB was alerted to the thefts by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), which audited LAOs spending nationwide, said CIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirapob Phuridet.

The PACC had detected embezzlement involving accounting officials at LAOs in at least seven provinces, he said. The officials stole the LAOs’ money and wired it to their bank accounts for personal use, he said.

The LAOs is a general term covering the municipal offices and tambon administrative organisations (TAOs).

So far, police have pressed charges against accountants attached to the Lad Yao municipal office in Nakhon Sawan for allegedly making 215 unauthorised withdrawals amounting to 15 million baht from a LAO bank account.

A similar charge was laid against accountants at the Wang Prong TAO in Phitsanulok, who stole 44 million baht from the TAO office.

Pol Lt Gen Jirapob said police have also opened investigations into officials concerning alleged embezzlement at TAOs in five other provinces.

In Nakhon Pathom, accountants and financial officers were alleged to have colluded in siphoning 8.3 million baht via 23 bank account withdrawals from the Nil Phet TAO where they work.

In Saraburi, financial officers illegally took 4.9 million baht from the Nong Hua Pho TAO through 84 withdrawals.

In Chaiyaphum, a local development officer acting as a financial staff member has been accused of illegally withdrawing from the Huai Yai Jew TAO’s bank account 60 times for a total of 5.8 million baht.

In Si Sa Ket, alleged embezzlement worth 540,000 baht was committed by a financial specialist of the Khok Lam TAO.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, 4 million baht was found to have disappeared from a bank account held by the Na Khliang TAO.

The money was found to have been transferred to accounts belonging to the wife of the TAO’s director for finance and accounts owned by the family’s domestic helper.

Police are broadening their probe by asking Krungthai Bank to run checks on other LAOs.

PACC deputy secretary-general Krit Krasaewes said LAO withdrawals usually require the consent of at least three officials but only one was needed in these cases.

Clock ticking for Suwichak

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

The National-Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) is preparing to proceed with a criminal case against the House of Representatives’ former secretary-general Suwichak Nakwatcharachai for his alleged involvement in irregularities in procuring overpriced clocks worth 15.4 million baht for parliament in 2013.

A source at the NACC said a recent board meeting found grounds to the allegation that Mr Suwichak was involved in graft in the clock procurement case.

Mr Suwichak was among parliamentary officials who helped Equipment Co win the bid by fixing the specs of its Bodet clock, even though the company did not register for the clock properly.

The NACC found documents used in the bid, including a performance certification and a contract with a price offer, had been forged.

Moreover, the company did not import clocks from a distributor but rather from Precious Time Trading, which was also competing for the bid.

Mr Suwichak will not face disciplinary action as he had already been discharged from the House.

However, the NACC will file a lawsuit against him with the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct.

Man tasered, arrested after allegedly assaulting auxiliary police officer with metal bar

By: Marcus Ching

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

In a 50-second video shared on Facebook, the suspect can be seen pointing a metal bar at officers before moving towards a short flight of stairs.

As the man continues to advance towards the officers, the police can be heard warning him to stop before finally discharging a Taser when the man fails to comply.

The suspect falls backwards and officers are seen running towards him.

The police said the man and the auxiliary officer were both conscious when taken to hospital, with the auxiliary officer sustaining minor injuries.

The metal bar was seized and the 31-year-old was subsequently arrested for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon, criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty and suspected drug-related offences.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Racehorse owners, industry to appeal against Singapore Turf Club closure

By: Marcus Ching

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Five horse owners at the meeting spoke to the media, with all saying that they were not consulted prior to the announcement that the Turf Club was closing.

One of the horse owners in the committee, Mr Joe Giovanni Singh, said their objective was to appeal to the government to ensure that horse racing can stay on or at least get an extension.

“We’ve got a lot of people who are really very, very keen in this … sport. And it’s very sad to see that suddenly out of the blue that we have to close shop in Singapore,” said Mr Singh, who has 15 horses at the Turf Club.

Another horse owner, Mr Hobart Low, who has about 20 horses, said that there were two camps in the meeting – one group that wanted to appeal for horse racing to continue and another that accepted the closure.

He belongs to the group that wants to appeal he said, as the closure “might not have been the right decision”.

“We just want to have a voice first … before we proceed to talk about the exit strategy, what we can do about compensation,” he said.

“Maybe if miracles happen, the government will decide … to hear our voices and look at the whole situation differently.”

School denies expelling lese majeste teen

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai, 15, posts a message on her Facebook, saying she had been expelled from school. Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong denied the claim. (Photo: Thanalop Phalanchai Facebook)

A 15-year-old girl, who was released on May 18 after being detained for 51 days on a charge of royal defamation, has not faced expulsion from school, Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong said on Wednesday.

Ms Trinuch said the school director informed her that no instruction had been issued to expel Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai. The minister’s response came after Yok posted a message on Facebook, claiming she had been expelled and was now “an outsider”.

According to Yok, she had been questioned by two deputy school directors and teachers. She insisted on calling her parents and recording the conversation, but the teachers refused. She claimed they blocked all the exits to the room, so she had to crawl under a table to escape.

The teenager also claimed that a deputy school director told her the school would return her tuition fees.

In a previous Facebook post, Yok wrote that she had dyed her hair, embraced a “modern” haircut and worn casual clothes to school for weeks, in what she tried to portray as a fight for her freedom and rights.

She also urged the Education Ministry to improve the school curriculum to meet international standards.

Yok’s Facebook posts caught the attention of netizens, some of whom criticised her and encouraged her to respect school rules.

Ms Trinuch said the school had assured her that Yok is welcome to attend classes as usual.

Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong (Photo: Government House)

She also commented on the student’s decision to ignore the rules on mandatory school uniform.

“Yok wears casual outfits to school and claims that is her right and her freedom, but we need to respect the system and regulations of each school, as well as the way society is organised on a bigger level,” said the minister. “This is the basic norm everyone including students should be aware of.”

Yok was arrested on March 28, the same day a 24-year-old man was caught spray-painting a “No 112” message on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.

Police had a warrant to arrest Yok, accusing her of insulting the monarchy during a rally in October 2022 in front of City Hall. She was 14 at the time.

On May 18, she was released from the Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Center for Girls in Nakhon Pathom, where she had been held since March 29.

Local officials arrested in expanding corruption investigation

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

An official at a local administration organisation, in pink blouse, is questioned by police and anti-corruption officials over alleged embezzlement of funds. (Police supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham)

Five officials from local administrations in five provinces have been arrested for allegedly embezzling more than 23 million baht of local body funds.

The arrests were part of operation “Stop cyber corruption” which has so far identified about 84 million baht missing from local government funds, Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej said on Wednesday.

Police Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) officers took the five officials into custody from Nakhon Pathom, Saraburi, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces on Tuesday,

In Nakhon Pathom, a senior finance and accounting official at Ninphet tambon administration organisation (TAO) allegedly stole more than 8.3 million baht, dipping into the funds 23 times, said Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop.

In Saraburi, an assistant finance and accounting official at Nong Hua Pho TAO allegedly took more than 4.9 million baht, over 84 occasions, while an assistant community development official.

In Chayaphum, an accounting official at Huai Yai Jiew TAO allegedly embezzled 5.8 million baht, over 60 occasions..

In Si Sa ket, a finance and accounting official at Khok Lam TAO had allegedly embezzled 540,000 baht, dipping into the funds eight times.

In Nakhon Si Thammarat, the director of the treasury division at Na Khiang TAO had allegedly embezzled more than 4 million baht, over 59 occasions, including money transfers to his wife and employees who would also be prosecuted, according to the CIB chief. (continues below)

An official, back to the camera, is charged with embezzling money from her local administration organisation. (Photo supplied/ Wassayos Ngamkham)

The operation was launched after the Office of Public Sector-Corruption Commission (PACC) notified the ACD that PACC officials found irregularities in the disbursement of budgets at many local bodies across the country via internet banking.

Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop said more than 84 million baht was missing from the local bodies’ accounts. He believed there was similar embezzlement at other state agencies.

State-run Krungthai Bank had given full cooperation to authorities that led to the arrest of the five suspects, he added.

ACD police earlier arrested two finance and accounting officials at tambon Lad Yao municipality in Nakhon Sawan and Wang Phrong TAO in Phitsanulok for allegedly embezzling 15 million and 44 million baht, respectively, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.

Pol Lt Col Siriphong Sritula, director of the PACC’s corruption suppression division, said money trails of the suspects showed that most of them were online gamblers.

The suspects had turned off notifications of money withdrawals after they received account control passwords. As a result, auditors in higher levels were not aware that money had been withdrawn from those TAO’s accounts.

Ex-Narathiwat MP defends son in separatist row

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

Soldiers man a security checkpoint near the city gate in Pattani municipality. (File photo)

Najmuddin Umar, a former Bhumajaithai Party MP for Narathiwat, on Wednesday denied any involvement in an alleged separatist move involving a group of student activists in the deep South, saying he was unaware his son had attended their controversial seminar.

The “National Student Movement” or “Pelajar Bangsa”, a recently established youth group representing students from Thailand’s three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, gained attention due to a mock referendum held as part of its seminar stirred up controversy. The simulated referendum, which questioned whether there should be a Muslim “Pattani State” independent from Thailand, took place at Prince of Songkla University’s (PSU) Pattani campus on June 7.

According to Mr Najmuddin, he only learned that his son was among the activists participating in the seminar when the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) Region 4 Office issued a statement saying the and Provincial Police Region 9 were investigating the group’s activities and monitoring them on social media.

Mr Najmuddin said he then contacted the security authorities, who informed him that some of the activists were suspected of having violated the law. However, the activists were willing to provide a statement defending their “good intentions”, he said.

Najmuddin Umar (Facebook)

The former MP said he was informed that a similar student activity had taken place a decade ago inside the office of the campus president, attracting around 100 participants but receiving no media attention.

Mr Najmuddin said he believes the students did not intend to violate any laws. Their referendum was clearly a simulation — as all the attendees knew — because it was not directed by any formal committee or organisation, he added.

The seminar organised by the Faculty of Political Science had less than a hundred attendees, who openly expressed their opinions, according to the politician.

“I would like to explain this to the rest of country. Don’t panic about what happened,” said Mr Najmuddin. “I also agree with the decision by the National Security Council (NSC) and Isoc Region 4 to look into the student group’s activities.”

If they are proven to be unlawful, they should be given a verbal warning instead of heavy punitive measures, he said, adding that his son insisted on having acted in an open and transparent manner during the seminar.

Following the seminar, outgoing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the NSC to take action against the group of activists that called for the referendum.

Local officials arrested in expanding corruption probe

By: Barkar Nash

On: June 14, 2023

In: South-East Asia

An official at a local administration organisation, in pink blouse, is questioned by police and anti-corruption officials over alleged embezzlement of funds. (Police supplied / Wassayos Ngamkham)

Five officials from local administrations in five provinces have been arrested for allegedly embezzling more than 23 million baht of local body funds.

The arrests were part of the “Stop Cyber Corruption” operation, which has so far identified about 84 million baht missing from local government funds, Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej said on Wednesday.

Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) officers took the five officials into custody from Nakhon Pathom, Saraburi, Chaiyaphum, Si Sa Ket and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces on Tuesday,

In Saraburi, an assistant finance and accounting official at Nong Hua Pho TAO allegedly took more than 4.9 million baht, over 84 occasions, while an assistant community development official.

In Chaiyaphum, an accounting official at Huai Yai Jiew TAO allegedly embezzled 5.8 million baht on over 60 occasions.

In Si Sa ket, a finance and accounting official at Khok Lam TAO had allegedly embezzled 540,000 baht, dipping into the funds eight times.

An official, back to the camera and second from left, is charged with embezzling money from her local administration organisation. (Photo supplied / Wassayos Ngamkham)

Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop said more than 84 million baht was missing from the local bodies’ accounts. He believed there was similar embezzlement at other state agencies.

State-run Krungthai Bank had given full cooperation to authorities that led to the arrest of the five suspects, he added.

Pol Lt Col Siriphong Sritula, director of the PACC’s corruption suppression division, said money trails of the suspects showed that most of them were online gamblers.

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