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Thaksin Shinawatra to be Tried by Supreme Court for Politicians in Absentia Over 2003 Excise Tax Case

In 2010, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found Thaksin guilty in several cases and seized 46 billion baht of his assets.

BANGKOK – Under the guidance of the Thai Junta, Thailand’s Supreme Court for politicians has set up a panel of judges to try Thaksin Shinawatra in absentia in the telecommunications excise tax conversion case, according to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG).

OAG deputy spokesman Trumph Jalichandra said on Friday that his office had earlier asked the court to try the former prime minister in absentia in two cases — the excise tax case and the Krungthai Bank lending case — after the law allowing the court to try politicians in absentia came into effect last year. The excise case trial would be the first under the new law.

Alleged photo of Yingluck in London (courtesy of Facebook page @secret100million)

In any case, Prayut Petchkhun, another OAG deputy spokesman, said his office was still working on an extradition attempt to bring Thaksin to justice. It is also seeking Thaksin’s sister Yingluck and hit-and-run suspect Vorayudh “Boss” Yoovidhaya. However, the OAG could only act after police inform them where they are, he added.

Pictures of a woman believed to be former premier Yingluck shopping in London emerged last week. Mr Vorayudh, another billionaire, has managed to avoid arrest for more than five years since his speeding Ferrari dragged a motorcycle ridden by a police officer to his death in Bangkok in September 2012.

Thaksin is now facing four cases filed between 2008 and 2012. The excise tax case and the Krungthai lending case were filed by the OAG, while cases involving Exim Bank lending and the online lottery were filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Thaksin was convicted in 2008 for abuse of authority in a government sale of land on Ratchadaphisek Road. He fled abroad shortly before the court issued its ruling.

The telecoms excise tax case originated 15 years ago, when telecom companies operated under concessions from the government, through what are now state-owned TOT Plc and CAT Telecom Plc. The two state agencies collected their shares of revenue from the telecoms firms and remitted the revenue after expenses to the Finance Ministry.

In 2003, Thaksin, who made his fortune from the country’s largest mobile operator, issued an executive decree imposing a new telecoms excise tax. Essentially, it funneled a portion of the revenue telecom firms normally paid to TOT and CAT directly to the Finance Ministry.

The government explained the change was needed to prepare for the expiry of the concessions, when the state telecom firms could no longer rely on concession revenue.

TOT and CAT claimed the change would bankrupt them, while industry experts argued the tax would stifle competition because newcomers would find it hard to compete with existing players, which effectively did not have pay extra for the tax.

Supporters of the tax said it made no difference to the operators since they ended up paying the same amount, but to a different recipient. They argued that the Finance Ministry would get more revenue since there would be no expenses deducted.

In 2010, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions found Thaksin guilty in several cases and seized 46 billion baht of his assets. In the excise tax case, it said the imposition of the excise tax unfairly favored Shin Corp, the telecom giant Thaksin founded in 1983 and sold in early 2006.

To comply with the court ruling, which is considered final and binding on all agencies, the coup-installed government cut the telecom excise tax rate to zero, effectively reverting to the original system until almost all telecom concessions expired a few years ago, replaced by a licensing system.

 

 

Thailand Politics

Thai Prime Minister’s Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

Thai Prime Minister's Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.

According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.

The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.

According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.

This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.

Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.

The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.

Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.

About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.

Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.

The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.

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Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.

The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.

The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.

Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.

In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.

Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.

The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.

A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.

Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.

The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.

 

 

 

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Thailand Politics

Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.

Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.

Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.

Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond

Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.

Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.

Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.

“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.

The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.

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