Published: 22/12/2009
Bangkok Post
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on will summon fresh witnesses to testify in the case involving the seizure of 76 billion baht of the Shinawatra family's assets.
The case is one of six graft cases brought against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) by the Assets Scrutiny Committte appointed after the Sept 19, 2006 coup which removed him from office.
The court's verdict on whether to seize the Shinawatra family fortune is seen as Thaksin's political lifeline.
The nine judges comprising the bench hearing the case, headed by Somsak Netramai, met on Tuesday.
"The judges met and they agreed that there should be further inquiry to get to the facts. The inquiry will be on Jan 12 and 14," a judge said after the meeting.
After former foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai and National Anti-Corruption Commission member Klanarong Chantik, acting on behalf of a member of the disbanded Assets Scrutiny Committee, gave testimony, the court issued an order requesting additional documents and witnesses from seven agencies:
1. The investigation documents from the Department of Special Investigation.
2. The studies on the translation of concession made by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.
3. The movements of SHIN, THCOM, IFCT, TMB, JAS, TT&T and ADVANC shares from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
4. The financial information from Thaicom Plc.
5. The National Telecommunication Commission of Thailand's details concerning frequency management.
6. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's information on telecommunications excise tax collection together with the cabinet's resolutions relating to this issue.
7. The studies on the contracts between the public and private sectors from the Thailand Development Research Institute.
The court would like the additional information to be submitted as soon as possible and the litigants can check all the documents and evidence from Jan 4 to 11, 2009.
Mr Surakiat is a key prosecution witness on Thaksin's policy involving the Export and Import Bank of Thailand's four billion baht soft loan in 2004 to Burma to develop its telecom facilities. He testified that it was usual for the government to approve funds to help neighbouring countries.
"Burma was not the only country. Laos and Cambodia also received financial assistance from the Thai government," Mr Surakiat said. "Thailand gained considerable benefits from helping Burma, including in relations, security and economic affairs."
Mr Klanarong, in his testimlony later, insisted Thaksin abused his authority as prime minister to benefit his Shin Corporation by converting the telecom concessions to excise tax liability and reducing a cell phone operators' concession fee from 25-30 per cent to 20 per cent.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions on will summon fresh witnesses to testify in the case involving the seizure of 76 billion baht of the Shinawatra family's assets.
The case is one of six graft cases brought against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) by the Assets Scrutiny Committte appointed after the Sept 19, 2006 coup which removed him from office.
The court's verdict on whether to seize the Shinawatra family fortune is seen as Thaksin's political lifeline.
The nine judges comprising the bench hearing the case, headed by Somsak Netramai, met on Tuesday.
"The judges met and they agreed that there should be further inquiry to get to the facts. The inquiry will be on Jan 12 and 14," a judge said after the meeting.
After former foreign minister Surakiat Sathirathai and National Anti-Corruption Commission member Klanarong Chantik, acting on behalf of a member of the disbanded Assets Scrutiny Committee, gave testimony, the court issued an order requesting additional documents and witnesses from seven agencies:
1. The investigation documents from the Department of Special Investigation.
2. The studies on the translation of concession made by the National Economic and Social Advisory Council.
3. The movements of SHIN, THCOM, IFCT, TMB, JAS, TT&T and ADVANC shares from the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
4. The financial information from Thaicom Plc.
5. The National Telecommunication Commission of Thailand's details concerning frequency management.
6. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology's information on telecommunications excise tax collection together with the cabinet's resolutions relating to this issue.
7. The studies on the contracts between the public and private sectors from the Thailand Development Research Institute.
The court would like the additional information to be submitted as soon as possible and the litigants can check all the documents and evidence from Jan 4 to 11, 2009.
Mr Surakiat is a key prosecution witness on Thaksin's policy involving the Export and Import Bank of Thailand's four billion baht soft loan in 2004 to Burma to develop its telecom facilities. He testified that it was usual for the government to approve funds to help neighbouring countries.
"Burma was not the only country. Laos and Cambodia also received financial assistance from the Thai government," Mr Surakiat said. "Thailand gained considerable benefits from helping Burma, including in relations, security and economic affairs."
Mr Klanarong, in his testimlony later, insisted Thaksin abused his authority as prime minister to benefit his Shin Corporation by converting the telecom concessions to excise tax liability and reducing a cell phone operators' concession fee from 25-30 per cent to 20 per cent.
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