Pheu Thai MP Anudit Nakornthap yesterday questioned why Mechai Viravaidya has not yet been appointed as chairman of the Sufficiency Community Project.
The post has been vacant since Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu stepped down over corruption scandals.
"I think it's necessary to see who will sort out problems in this project. The damages are estimated at over Bt5 billion," Anudit said.
When Korbsak resigned last month, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that Mechai, who is the project's deputy chairman, would be promoted to the top post.
Anudit also lamented that Sumit Champrasit remained the director of the Office of Sufficiency Community Project.
"He's clearly involved in the corrupt practice," the Bangkok MP alleged. "So, it's difficult for people to seek documents from the office to support the claim about corruption".
Anudit said Sumit has sold his products via the Sufficiency Community Project. The directors and officials of about 12 district offices in Bangkok should also be blamed for the irregularities.
Anudit also accused some bank officials and some private companies of taking part in the corruption.
"But it will be hard to find evidence because this is policy-based corruption," Anudit said, "The top government figures should thus be held responsible".
He said it was not appropriate for the Democrat Party to simply dismiss local politicians from its party.
"There are people in higher positions who should take responsibility," Anudit said.
He was speaking after he led a group of Bangkok residents to submit additional evidence about corruption related to the Sufficiency Community Project to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).
DSI is looking into their complaint. However, it said if the case is really related to political office holders or senior government officials, the case must be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
PROSECUTOR WANTS 5 MORE KHMER ROUGE INVESTIGATED
A prosecutor at Cambodia's Khmer Rouge tribunal has formally recommended that five more suspects be investigated for crimes against humanity and other offences, setting the legal body on a collision course with the counttry's powerful prime minister.
A statement from the tribunal yesterday said the acting international co-prosecutor, William Smith of Australia, submitted his recommendation to the co-investigating judges, who would then decide whether to issue arrest warrants.
Cambodian Prime minister Hun sen has repeatedly spokean out against expanding the list of defendants.
On monday, Hun Sen said such action could lead to civil war.
"I would like to tell you that if you prosecute [more leaders] without thinking beforehand about national reconciliation and peace, and if war breaks out again and kills 20,000 or 30,000 people, who will be responsible?" Hun Sen said.
The UN administrator for the tribunal isued a blunt reminder to Hun Sen has repeatedly spokean out against expandign the list of defendants.
"It is a clearly established international standard that courts do not seek approval of advice on their work from the executive branch," Knut Rosandhaug said in a statement.
Critics accuse Hun Sen of trying to limit the tribunal's scope to prevent his political allies from being indicted. Hun Sen served as a Khmer Rouge officer and many of his main allies are also former members of the group.
A statement from the tribunal yesterday said the acting international co-prosecutor, William Smith of Australia, submitted his recommendation to the co-investigating judges, who would then decide whether to issue arrest warrants.
Cambodian Prime minister Hun sen has repeatedly spokean out against expanding the list of defendants.
On monday, Hun Sen said such action could lead to civil war.
"I would like to tell you that if you prosecute [more leaders] without thinking beforehand about national reconciliation and peace, and if war breaks out again and kills 20,000 or 30,000 people, who will be responsible?" Hun Sen said.
The UN administrator for the tribunal isued a blunt reminder to Hun Sen has repeatedly spokean out against expandign the list of defendants.
"It is a clearly established international standard that courts do not seek approval of advice on their work from the executive branch," Knut Rosandhaug said in a statement.
Critics accuse Hun Sen of trying to limit the tribunal's scope to prevent his political allies from being indicted. Hun Sen served as a Khmer Rouge officer and many of his main allies are also former members of the group.
Monday, September 7, 2009
PACC links 4 groups to graft scandal
Four groups have been identified as having links to scandal-plagued community sufficiency projects in Bangkok's Bang Kapi district, the Public Sector AntiCorruption Commission says.
PACC secretary-general Tharit Pengdit yesterday said a preliminary investigation had found local politicians, district officials, Sufficiency Economy Office for Community Development (SEO) staff and four companies had been involved in irregularities in the sufficiency projects in Bang Kapi district.
The SEO is responsible for granting funds to community projects under the Sufficiency Economy for Community Development Programme.
The PACC's investigation followed complaints about alleged irregularities in sufficiency projects countrywide, and accusations that politicians and government officials were involved.
The investigation found a Bang Kapi district councillor had acted as a broker,arranging the purchase of equipment for the communities without seeking the consent of local people as required by law.
District councillors were also found to have falsified documents.
Officials attached to the Bang Kapi district office's community development office were found to have neglected their responsibilities by allowing politicians to become involved in the procurement plans.
The two SEO officials found involved in the irregularities have been dismissed from office.
The last group involved four private firms found to have supplied substandard and overpriced equipment to the communities, Mr Tharit said.
Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday led Din Daeng residents in filing a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division asking it to look into alleged corruption in community projects being undertaken in Din Daeng and other districts in Bangkok.
PACC secretary-general Tharit Pengdit yesterday said a preliminary investigation had found local politicians, district officials, Sufficiency Economy Office for Community Development (SEO) staff and four companies had been involved in irregularities in the sufficiency projects in Bang Kapi district.
The SEO is responsible for granting funds to community projects under the Sufficiency Economy for Community Development Programme.
The PACC's investigation followed complaints about alleged irregularities in sufficiency projects countrywide, and accusations that politicians and government officials were involved.
The investigation found a Bang Kapi district councillor had acted as a broker,arranging the purchase of equipment for the communities without seeking the consent of local people as required by law.
District councillors were also found to have falsified documents.
Officials attached to the Bang Kapi district office's community development office were found to have neglected their responsibilities by allowing politicians to become involved in the procurement plans.
The two SEO officials found involved in the irregularities have been dismissed from office.
The last group involved four private firms found to have supplied substandard and overpriced equipment to the communities, Mr Tharit said.
Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit yesterday led Din Daeng residents in filing a complaint with the Crime Suppression Division asking it to look into alleged corruption in community projects being undertaken in Din Daeng and other districts in Bangkok.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Vote fraud mars TAO elections
Tambon administration organisation elections held yesterday have been marred by widespread vote-buying allegations.
Poll cheats are suspected of spending more money than ever in the elections which were held in 2,959 tambons across 74 provinces.
The chair of the People's Network for Election Thailand (Pnet) in Ayutthaya,Chollada Boonkasem, said vote-buying was rampant in several tambons in the central province. Voters were offered as much as 1,000 baht to vote for candidates for the position of TAO chair, and 200 baht to 300 baht for TAO rank-and-file members.
Most cash handouts were reported in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phachi,Uthai, Sena and Bang Sai districts, Ms Chollada said, as she was handing poll fraud evidence to the provincial election committee. There are 93 tambons in Ayutthaya.
Mana Yaemchabok, an election committee member in Polkrang in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima,said poll supervisors and police were out in force looking for vote buyers on Saturday night. No violations were reported.
Thawee Chunkor, director of the Buri Ram election commission, said the atmosphere in many tambons in the northeastern province was lively. He expected the voter turnout to top 70%.
Mr Thawee said his panel had not received any complaints about poll violations.
But an observer said a group of teenagers was seen handing out pre-paid mobile phone cards to voters in several areas. Cash handouts of about 300 baht to 500 baht were also made, he said.
In the southern province of Ranong,voters flocked to the polls amid heavy rain.
Kamol Wipadapisut, chairman of the Ranong provincial election office, said the office received a complaint that a village head in tambon Ngao had failed to maintain his neutrality by suggesting that voters support certain candidates.The committee was investigating.
In the lower southern province of Trang, two election canvassers were arrested with cash they allegedly were using to buy votes.
Sompong Buaban, chair of the provincial election commission, said three complaints had been lodged with the commission, including the one about two arrested canvassers in Natam Nua TAO in Muang district.
The atmosphere in the three restive southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani was quiet.
In Yala, only a small number of voters showed up in tightly guarded Pron tambon in Muang district to cast their ballot.
Election Commission secretarygeneral Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the turnout around the country was expected to be about 70%.
Official results were expected to be declared by the EC this week, he said.
Poll cheats are suspected of spending more money than ever in the elections which were held in 2,959 tambons across 74 provinces.
The chair of the People's Network for Election Thailand (Pnet) in Ayutthaya,Chollada Boonkasem, said vote-buying was rampant in several tambons in the central province. Voters were offered as much as 1,000 baht to vote for candidates for the position of TAO chair, and 200 baht to 300 baht for TAO rank-and-file members.
Most cash handouts were reported in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phachi,Uthai, Sena and Bang Sai districts, Ms Chollada said, as she was handing poll fraud evidence to the provincial election committee. There are 93 tambons in Ayutthaya.
Mana Yaemchabok, an election committee member in Polkrang in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima,said poll supervisors and police were out in force looking for vote buyers on Saturday night. No violations were reported.
Thawee Chunkor, director of the Buri Ram election commission, said the atmosphere in many tambons in the northeastern province was lively. He expected the voter turnout to top 70%.
Mr Thawee said his panel had not received any complaints about poll violations.
But an observer said a group of teenagers was seen handing out pre-paid mobile phone cards to voters in several areas. Cash handouts of about 300 baht to 500 baht were also made, he said.
In the southern province of Ranong,voters flocked to the polls amid heavy rain.
Kamol Wipadapisut, chairman of the Ranong provincial election office, said the office received a complaint that a village head in tambon Ngao had failed to maintain his neutrality by suggesting that voters support certain candidates.The committee was investigating.
In the lower southern province of Trang, two election canvassers were arrested with cash they allegedly were using to buy votes.
Sompong Buaban, chair of the provincial election commission, said three complaints had been lodged with the commission, including the one about two arrested canvassers in Natam Nua TAO in Muang district.
The atmosphere in the three restive southern border provinces of Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani was quiet.
In Yala, only a small number of voters showed up in tightly guarded Pron tambon in Muang district to cast their ballot.
Election Commission secretarygeneral Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the turnout around the country was expected to be about 70%.
Official results were expected to be declared by the EC this week, he said.
Vote-buyers top up credit
Reports of vote-buying and intimidation mounted in some provinces yesterday as poll organisers mobilised resources to ensure today's country-wide local elections are clean and fair.
People across the country go to polling stations today to elect members of 2,959 tambon administrative organisations.
The polls, in which more than 117,000 people are vying for TAO seats and more than 6,400 people are running for TAO mayoral posts, are expected to be fierce in several areas.
Prasit Kotchakotra, chairman of Kalasin provincial election committee, said vote-buying allegations surfaced in many areas as the polls approached.
More than 200 million baht was believed to have changed hands to elect members of 98 TAOs, he said.
Gen Weerawut Songsai, chairman of Nakhon Ratchasima provincial election committee, said canvassers had come up with a new form of vote-buying.
Instead of handing out cash, the campaigners transferred call credits to voters'mobile phones, which made it more difficult to track vote-buying, he noted.
In Kamphaeng Phet's Kosamphinakhon district, Sithon Piarodwong, clerk of tambon Lan Dok Mai administrative organisation, said police and election staff would be deployed at polling stations.
He said the contest was fierce because three candidates are running for mayor.
Prapun Naigowit, member of the Election Commission, said the poll agency would use all the resources at its disposal to ensure fair elections.
In the northeastern province, elections are being held at 100 TAOs in 26 districts.
EC member Sodsri Sattayatham said the provincial committee would look into a complaint against local election staff in Nakhon Ratchasima for failing to be politically neutral.
Election staff in tambon Polkrang in Muang district were accused of favouritism.
Mrs Sodsri, who inspected poll preparations in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, said she had told election panels to strictly enforce the law.
People across the country go to polling stations today to elect members of 2,959 tambon administrative organisations.
The polls, in which more than 117,000 people are vying for TAO seats and more than 6,400 people are running for TAO mayoral posts, are expected to be fierce in several areas.
Prasit Kotchakotra, chairman of Kalasin provincial election committee, said vote-buying allegations surfaced in many areas as the polls approached.
More than 200 million baht was believed to have changed hands to elect members of 98 TAOs, he said.
Gen Weerawut Songsai, chairman of Nakhon Ratchasima provincial election committee, said canvassers had come up with a new form of vote-buying.
Instead of handing out cash, the campaigners transferred call credits to voters'mobile phones, which made it more difficult to track vote-buying, he noted.
In Kamphaeng Phet's Kosamphinakhon district, Sithon Piarodwong, clerk of tambon Lan Dok Mai administrative organisation, said police and election staff would be deployed at polling stations.
He said the contest was fierce because three candidates are running for mayor.
Prapun Naigowit, member of the Election Commission, said the poll agency would use all the resources at its disposal to ensure fair elections.
In the northeastern province, elections are being held at 100 TAOs in 26 districts.
EC member Sodsri Sattayatham said the provincial committee would look into a complaint against local election staff in Nakhon Ratchasima for failing to be politically neutral.
Election staff in tambon Polkrang in Muang district were accused of favouritism.
Mrs Sodsri, who inspected poll preparations in Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, said she had told election panels to strictly enforce the law.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Constitution Court judges back 2010 Budget Bill in 8-1 verdict
The Constitution Court yesterday upheld the 2010 Budget Bill's legal status by a near unanimous 8-1 vote.
The verdict rejected Pheu Thai MP Surapong Tovijakchaikul's argument that the bill was unconstitutional because Bt22 billion had been added to the budget without proper explanation.
Surapong made his case to the court on Wednesday that the unspecified spending increase might benefit government MPs or House committee members directly or indirectly.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Trairong Suwankhiri, vice chairman of the House committee vetting the Budget Bill, defended the legislation.
The Constitution Court took about one hour to deliberate on the case before handing down the 8-1 judgement that the bill did not contravene Article 168 of the Constitution.
The court said it found that the spending increase in the budget was not intended to benefit any MPs or House committee members.
Earlier Surapong said the House committee's approval of the Bt22-billion increase in the budget without indicating details of the spending violated Article 168, because it could constitute a conspiracy among the committee members.
"If the court rules this did violate the Constitution, then whether Parliament will be dissolved is up to the prime minister. In 1937, the Budget Bill failed to win approval, and the House was dissolved," he said.
The verdict rejected Pheu Thai MP Surapong Tovijakchaikul's argument that the bill was unconstitutional because Bt22 billion had been added to the budget without proper explanation.
Surapong made his case to the court on Wednesday that the unspecified spending increase might benefit government MPs or House committee members directly or indirectly.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij and Trairong Suwankhiri, vice chairman of the House committee vetting the Budget Bill, defended the legislation.
The Constitution Court took about one hour to deliberate on the case before handing down the 8-1 judgement that the bill did not contravene Article 168 of the Constitution.
The court said it found that the spending increase in the budget was not intended to benefit any MPs or House committee members.
Earlier Surapong said the House committee's approval of the Bt22-billion increase in the budget without indicating details of the spending violated Article 168, because it could constitute a conspiracy among the committee members.
"If the court rules this did violate the Constitution, then whether Parliament will be dissolved is up to the prime minister. In 1937, the Budget Bill failed to win approval, and the House was dissolved," he said.
EC appoints panel to look into conduct of Prasobsuk
The Election Commission has appointed a committee to investigate the senate speaker over claims he failed to seek a ruling from the Constitution Court on the qualifications of 16 senators accused of violating the shareholding law.
The law required Prasobsuk Boondej to seek the court ruling on the senators'qualifications within 30 days.
EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn yesterday said Mr Prasobsuk did not seek the ruling.
Mr Suthiphon said the EC had asked its litigation team to look into Mr Prasobsuk's actions after it received a complaint from appointed senator Ruangkrai Le-
kijwattana.
Mr Ruangkrai asked the EC to probe whether Mr Prasobsuk had violated Article 266(1)of the charter.
Mr Prasobsuk's alleged failure meant the EC was unable to vet the Suthiphon: Litigation qualifications of team to probe actions the senators.
The EC also set up a subcommittee yesterday to look into the facts of the case and their legal implications. The subcommittee was expected to report back to the commission within 30 days.
The Constitution Court would eventually decide if the Senate speaker should be removed from office if it was found he violated the constitution.
Mr Prasobsuk yesterday said he had not neglected his duties nor helped his fellow senators evade justice.
He said the EC had no right to investigate his conduct, but he would cooperate with it if it invited him to appear before it to answer questions.
Mr Suthiphon said the EC had sent its decision to ban 13 MPs who allegedly hold stakes in state concessionaires to House Speaker Chai Chidchob.
Mr Chai would pass the decision to the Constitution Court which had the final authority to rule if the MPs should be stripped of their seats.
The law required Prasobsuk Boondej to seek the court ruling on the senators'qualifications within 30 days.
EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn yesterday said Mr Prasobsuk did not seek the ruling.
Mr Suthiphon said the EC had asked its litigation team to look into Mr Prasobsuk's actions after it received a complaint from appointed senator Ruangkrai Le-
kijwattana.
Mr Ruangkrai asked the EC to probe whether Mr Prasobsuk had violated Article 266(1)of the charter.
Mr Prasobsuk's alleged failure meant the EC was unable to vet the Suthiphon: Litigation qualifications of team to probe actions the senators.
The EC also set up a subcommittee yesterday to look into the facts of the case and their legal implications. The subcommittee was expected to report back to the commission within 30 days.
The Constitution Court would eventually decide if the Senate speaker should be removed from office if it was found he violated the constitution.
Mr Prasobsuk yesterday said he had not neglected his duties nor helped his fellow senators evade justice.
He said the EC had no right to investigate his conduct, but he would cooperate with it if it invited him to appear before it to answer questions.
Mr Suthiphon said the EC had sent its decision to ban 13 MPs who allegedly hold stakes in state concessionaires to House Speaker Chai Chidchob.
Mr Chai would pass the decision to the Constitution Court which had the final authority to rule if the MPs should be stripped of their seats.
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