DEPARTMENT OF Special Investigation chief Pol Colonel Paisit Wongmuang yesterday said he was personally taking control of the investigation into the Krungthai Bank-money laundering case because of the lack of progress.

After a meeting yesterday with DSI investigators who were in charge of the case, Paisit said he was stepping in to expedite the inquiry as investigators had only one year before the statute of limitations expired.

Paisit said investigators were reviewing how Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was involved in the case.

Sources said the investigation team was also probing links to Kanchana Honghern, personal secretary of Panthongtae’s mother Pojaman Shinawatra, and Manop Tipwaree, father of Sita Divari, a close friend of Panthongtae.

Paisit said he had also appointed Pol Lt-Colonel Pakorn Suchiwakul, director of the financial and banking division of the DSI, to join the investigation team.

“I hereby affirm that speeding up the probe has nothing to do with politics,” Paisit said.

“I am simply carrying out what has to be done in accordance with normal procedures because the case has been under the responsibility of the DSI for a long time.”

The controversial case is connected to earlier malfeasance convictions of former senior executives at Krungthai Bank.

In August 2015, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Suchai Chaovisit, former chairman of the bank, and Viroj Nualkhair, the former president, to 18-year jail terms for approving Bt8-billion loans to subsidiaries of Krisada Mahanakorn Group in 2003 for refinancing and land acquisition.

The court found that the funds were used for other purposes, causing financial damage to the state-owned bank. Krisada Mahanakorn was classified at the time as a non-performing debtor.

According to DSI sources, the initial DSI investigation team probed links to Panthongtae, Kanchana and Manop following reports that money from Krungthai Bank had been transferred to their accounts but the inquiry had not found sufficient evidence to proceed with prosecutions.

The initial team was headed by Pol Lt-Colonel Somboon Sarasit, who was later transferred to the PM’s Office.

AMLO confusion

A DSI source added that Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) secretary-general Pol General Chaiya Siriamphankul had declined to attend yesterday’s meeting after being invited by Paisit.

Instead, the AMLO chief sent a two-page letter to Paisit, saying that the office had completed its part of investigation by pressing charges against the suspects.

However, AMLO representative Witthaya Nititham, who attended yesterday’s meeting, determined after reviewing case documents that the AMLO had not pressed charges against anyone in the case. As a result, Witthaya said the agency would press charges only if the DSI found strong criminal evidence.

According to the DSI source, Paisit had assigned Pakorn to seek documents from the Stock of Exchange of Thailand to determine whether Panthongtae, Kanchana and Manop had bought stocks from the Krisada Mahanakorn Group, as the three had claimed.

Although the DSI team had failed to find evidence to substantiate charges of money laundering against the three, it did find that Ratsada Krisdathanon, a son of Krisda executive Vichai Krisadathanon, had transferred Bt26 million in funds to Panthongtae.

During the investigation, Panthongtae claimed the money had been transferred to his account to buy shares of Ch Karnchang Public Company, but Ratsada had cancelled the cheque after being asked that someone else make the purchase on his behalf.

The fatal accident took place in Chiang Rai’s Muang district.

The truck driver Kwangmuang Jamit, 55, and eight people in the van were killed, while four other people were injured.

An initial investigation showed that Kwanmuang lost control of the truck as he was trying to overtake a motorcycle. The truck went over the traffic island and hit the van.

The van was travelling from Chiang Rai’s Mae Chan district to Muang district.

They believe that dereliction of duty by the officials caused deaths and property damage that could have been prevented.

Arkom Somwang, 41, and his wife lost their five-year-old daughter in the raging floodwaters that suddenly swept into Phetkasem Road in the province on January 9.

“The floodwaters quickly swamped the road, hurled the van they were riding in and swept away their daughter,” Nadthasiri Bergman, a legal officer at the Cross-Cultural Foundation, said yesterday.

She said that hundreds of families in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Bang Saphan district watched as the floods swamped their homes.

“There had been no early warning beforehand, not even from community radio broadcasts. By the time we were told to brace for floods, the water was already so close. We didn’t have enough time,” resident Jintana Kaewkhao said.

She will join Arkom and other victims of the Prachuap Khiri Khan floods in requesting help from the Lawyers Council today.

“Not all flood-hit locals can go to the council because of travel expenses and some are worried that they may not receive compensation from the government if they start a lawsuit,” Jintana said.

After the floods hit, officials surveyed the damage in affected zones and registered flood victims. However, Jintana said help has still not arrived.

Jintana said she decided to sue the government agencies to set a precedent.

“Let’s be clear about who is responsible for issuing early warnings,” she said.

According to Nadthasiri, the Royal Irrigation Department has the duty to inform the public of a water situation but it failed to tell Prachuap Khiri Khan residents last month about imminent flooding.

The Prachuap Khiri Khan authority also failed to alert residents about threats in a timely manner, she said.

Some observers are hopeful this fresh attempt can bridge the tension-filled divide between opposing political factions. Others doubt we will see light at the end of the tunnel any time soon.

Scepticism seems inevitable given that several committees tasked with the same mission have made little headway under previous governments. Among them were panels headed by such luminaries as former prime minister Anand Panyarachun, prominent social critic Prawase Wasi, former attorney general Kanit Nanakorn, ex-senator Direk Thungfang, and even former coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Each conducted its own inquiry into the root causes of the conflict and how reconciliation could be reached. They also offered suggestions based on public testimony by people on both sides of the divide.

Few of their proposals were ever put into practice, rendering their efforts a waste of time and money. The powers-that-be merely cherry-picked a few “safe” proposals while discarding any that might threaten their status or interests.

Kanit’s Truth for Reconciliation Commission fielded opinions from various conflicting factions before making concrete suggestions for reaching peace. Its inquiry delved beyond the political violence to reveal its roots in longstanding social tensions, resentment and recrimination.

The panel’s final report diagnosed inequality of access to national resources as the main culprit.

The Kanit commission proposed granting amnesty to lawbreakers whose offences stemmed from their political beliefs. However, it cautioned against expediting a pardon, saying it should only come after the causes of political tension had been tackled.

But the Pheu Thai-led government had a different priority, preferring to push a bill for a blanket amnesty that would cover even those found guilty of criminal acts in connection with the political crisis. That move prompted street protests that eventually led to the military coup in May 2014.

Now, critics are questioning the post-coup government’s sincerity in pushing for national reconciliation. They say that further study is pointless given the wealth of research and suggestions already available thanks to previous inquiries.

The consensus reached is that longstanding social inequality and injustice are the root causes of the conflict. While these remain ignored, any calls for unity will be empty.

Past reconciliation efforts have failed because those in power have maintained a private agenda centred on self-interest rather than the national interest. Another serious obstacle has been the widespread tendency to stubbornly insist on preconceived “solutions” while paying little attention to the problems. However laudable our goal, without a step-by-step process that involves both sides we cannot advance towards the destination.

So what goal does the current junta-backed government have in mind with its latest reconciliation effort? Is it political amnesty and a “national unity government” without opposition, or deeper reconciliation driven by a commitment to open and democratic governance?

The answer will dictate whether this fresh push for reconciliation succeeds, or merely becomes the latest in a long line of failures.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Bangkok : The power outage areas are;

08.30 – 15.30

– Romsai Road, Soi Pho Kham Nak.

09.00 – 15.00

– Soi Chokchai 4 Intersection 59 (Throughout the Soi).

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Bangkok : The power outage areas are;

08.30 – 14.00

– Start from Motorway Frontage Road to the bridge cross Klong Wat Pak Klong Mon.

08.30 – 15.00

– Prachachuen Road, Soi Sermsuk and Soi Prachachuen 14 (Throughout the Soi).

08.30 – 15.30

– Kanjanapisek Road, Ladawan Village.

– One Village, Soi Prayamontart.

– Soi Sri Ayutthaya 5, 7.

– Soi next to Santirat Wittayalai School.

– Soi next to Phayathai Police Station.

– Sri Udom Intersection (Inbound), Start from Honda Showroom to Soi Udomsuk 60.

08.30 – 16.00

– Soi Nimitmai 20.

– Soi Nawamin 90.

8.30 – 17.00

– Luang Paeng-Klong San Road (South Side), Start from Preng Police Station to Klong Preng.

09.00 – 14.00

– Soi Preedeepanomyong 42 Intersection 16 (Except the beginning of Soi).

– Soi Ekamai 4.

Nonthaburi : The power outage areas are;

08.30 – 15.00

– Tiwanon Road, Soi Tiwanon-Pakkret 1 (Social Welfare), Nonthaburi Shelter for Children and Families, Thai with Disability Foundation, Ban Sang Okard Pakkret, Banrajawadee, Chonprathan Medical Center and Thai Disabled Development Foundation.

– Pracha Uthit Road (Soi Wat Langbang), Start from Perfect Palm Spring Village, Soi Kraben, Lalin Village to Pruksa 25 Village.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Bangkok : The power outage areas are;

08.00 – 15.30

– Along Petchkasem Road, Start from Soi Petchkasem 35, 35/1, 37 (Throughout the Soi) to the beginning of Soi Petchkasem 39.

08.30 – 15.00

– Krungthep Kreetha Road, Soi Krungthep Kreetha 20.

08.30 – 15.30

– Soi Taweewattana 25 Intersection 6 and Intersection 15 (Throughout the Soi).

– Kanjanapisek Road (West Side), Start from Klong Phasi Charoen to Soi Petchkasem 49.

– Sri Ayutthaya Road (South Side), Start from Soi Sri Ayutthaya 7 to Patrol and Special Operation Division.

– Start from Sri Udom Intersection (Outbound) to Soi Spirit Condo.

– Soi Bangna-Trad 62.

08.30 – 16.00

– Soi Ramintra 87.

08.30 – 16.30

– Soi Supapong 3, Intersection 6 and Intersection 8.

09.00 – 14.00

– Along Pattanakarn Road, Start from Soi Pattanakarn 19 to Soi Pattanakarn 21.

Nonthaburi : The power outage areas are;

08.30 – 15.00

– Tiwanon Road, Soi Tiwanon-Pakkret 1 (Social Welfare), Pakkred Babies Home Orphanage, Education Technology Center for the Blind, Pakkred Babies Home, Ban Fuengfah, Ban Nontapum and Prachabodee School.

– Pracha Uthit Road (Soi Wat Lang Bang), Start from Soi Tessaban 2/1, Soi Wat Lang Bang, Soi Tessaban 6/3, Soi Tessaban 8, 8/1, Soi Kamnam Somjit to Soi Ruamjai Pattana.

08.30 – 15.30

– Wat Chaoeng Len-Wat Daeng Road Moo 6, 7, 8, 9, Ta It SAO and Moo 1, 2, 3, Saima Municipality.

In case of any inquiries, please contact MEA district offices on the phone number listed on the back of your invoice or call us at 1130 for 24 hours service. Also, you can check out the latest power outage notification at http://www.mea.or.th

Their critical perspective on amnesty – a quick route to overturn past conflicts – aligned with junta leader Prawit Wongsuwan, who said amnesty or absolution must follow due process.

The first reconciliation talks hosted by the Defence Ministry and led by its permanent secretary, General Chaichan Changmongkol, took place behind closed doors for four hours yesterday. Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich said the press was excluded because authorities wanted the whole process more complete before releasing any news, and insisted that the meeting did not conceal anything. A press conference would be held on Wednesday and Friday after the talks, he said.

In order to gather various opinions, political parties and factions are being invited by an alphabetical order to share their views on 10 previously established reconciliation-related topics. The first parties to join the talks yesterday were New Aspiration Party, the Commoner Party, and the Farmers Network Parties.

Chingchai Mongkoltham, the leader of the New Aspiration Party, said after the meeting that reconciliation meant a return to democracy as soon as possible and national harmony must be based upon a democratic, not authoritarian rule. Chingchai said granting amnesty was not a solution.

Thanaporn Sriyakul, leader of the Commoners Party, said that reconciliation involved not only politicians or political clique leaders but also all people affected by the conflict. He suggested that the junta should first lift its ban on political gathering of more than four people.

Also, he said that the process should be more inclusive. Instead of being invitation-only, the process should be opened to allow anyone to participate. The Chart Pattana Party was next on the list of all the 70 political parties invited and will join the talks today at the Defence Ministry.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit, a key participant in the reconciliation mission, said that invitations had been sent to all 70 parties registered with the Election Commission. According to him, none had rejected the invitation. The major parties, the Democrat and Pheu Thai, however, had still not replied and Prawit said he was not certain whether they would join.

As the process took off on Valentine’s Day, Prawit said he hoped reconciliation or love in the nation could be achieved with collaboration from everyone.

Meanwhile, a public symposium held by King Prajadhipok’s Institute yesterday discussed the current reconciliation effort headed by the National Council for Peace and Order and emphasised that justice is a key to conflict resolution.

Nipit Intrasombat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, said that three things were necessary for reconciliation: mutual understanding about democracy, non-discriminatory justice, and the limitation of the exploitation of the so-called voice of majority.

Regarding amnesty, Nipit said that it also needed clarity. He said in the past, reconciliation had failed because everyone was self-centred. In order to reverse that, everyone should be willing to sacrifice. Also, he said, everyone should have the courage to address any issues sincerely and directly and stop sweeping dirt under the rug.

Sombat Boonngamanong, a pro-democracy activist, said that he agreed the country needed reconciliation. However, it was equally important to look at the road to reconciliation, Sombat said. It should not be aimed at enabling particular individuals to benefit from it, he said.

Prayut said he had read the book written by renowned Thai historian Wichitwong na Pompetch, as well as other reconciliation study papers done in the past and saw similar points to his own thinking that he wished to point out. So, he summed the papers up and distributed them to the concerned panels.

Prayut said reconciliation is the most challenging task for the country, as it enforces a rule of law that some view as almost impossible to facilitate reconciliation. However, the premier insisted on enforcing the rule of law. He said people should not be worried about the work by the committees and its umbrella, known as Por Yor Por, as they would listen to what people say.

The reconciliation preparation committee plans to invite and listen to political parties by April. However, the premier came up with his summary yesterday to guide them on how to deal with the issue.

He insisted that he wished to listen to the conclusions of all committees, especially the reconciliation preparation committee. Amnesty, he reiterated, is not an issue he has ever addressed and it would not be a subject in the ongoing discussion.

The latest move by the premier drew concern from some political experts. They said the government’s fresh set of reform and reconciliation guidelines are ambiguous for democratisation. Prayut thought that the notes could be “useful” to the government, its supercommittee, and the National Council for Peace and Order.

Some 17 pages long, the papers emphasised three points: In order to achieve a peaceful and united society, people should “know their duties and boundaries” in a democracy or a proper democratic space should be created; economic and social injustice should be resolved; and, civic education and right thinking and caution needed to be instilled.

Attasit Pankaew, a political lecturer from Thammasat University, said the papers should discuss in more depth what is behind their so-called “democratic areas” and what could build democracy to be accepted by all. He said: “After reading them, I still wonder, was it because not all Thai people comprehend democracy, or was it because Thai society is not yet ready for democracy? If so, what should we do to achieve to live together?”

The academic also doubted that the papers’ suggestions to avoid some deep-rooted problems could really achieve reconciliation. “The government doesn’t want to talk about amnesty but I think it can’t be skipped,” he said. “What should matter is how amnesty should be managed.”

General Ekkachai Srivilas, director of the Office of Peace and Governance of King Prachadipok Institute, thought that the papers should consider more military roles in the political landscape. “These kind of reform principles have been talked over and over for years but hardly a thing was practised accordingly,” Ekkachai said. “I also wonder why the government has just brought this up after almost three years in office. It would also be better if the premier would rely on other sources rather than a single person [in issuing the guidelines].”

Another source reported that this case could involve at least 24 young victims.

Kasamaporn, who is part of the fact-finding committee, said they were working on the case and had interviewed some students and parents. She also vowed to ensure justice and proceed with disciplinary action against the 41-year-old so he is not allowed to teach at this or any other school if found guilty. She said the school would also go ahead with revoking his teaching licence later.

She said the school will also provide remedial measures for the affected students and their parents, and will table the matter at upcoming meetings with parents. Kasamaporn went on to say that this unprecedented case should not damage the school and its teachers’ good image.

The case came to light when the parents of a 12-year-old filed a police complaint on February 10 alleging that the teacher had molested their child and 10 others for several months.

Meanwhile, Chai Nat police superintendent Pol Colonel Chatpimuk Meemuk said the accused surrendered on Sunday morning after the provincial court issued an arrest warrant for him. However, he maintained innocence when told that he faced the charge of molesting a minor under the age of 15, which is punishable by seven to 20 years in prison.

Since Sunday, the suspect has been under court-approved detention for 12 days, though he has the right to seek temporary release, the officer said. Chaipimuk added that police was gathering witnesses and evidence, which should be ready in 15 days.