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Money office to probe general`s huge riches THE Anti-Money Laundering Office took aim yesterday at bank accounts linked to the late General Sunthorn Kongsompong that, according to a lawsuit filed by his first wife, had balances totalling more than Bt2.7 billion. The anti-money-laundering body would "definitely look into the matter", AMLO secretary-general Vassana Permlarp said, adding that he had already assigned some agents to begin an informal probe. Balances in the accounts had later dropped sharply, which could be deemed suspicious and thus subject to investigation by the agency, Vassana said. The deposits totalled just slightly more than Bt2.1 million on Nov 17, 2000, according to the suit filed by Khunying Orachorn Kongsompong and her two sons by Sunthorn in a legal battle against his second wife, Ampaphan Thanetdejsunthron, over his inheritance. Vassana said corruption was one of seven offences the AMLO was authorised by law to investigate in order to establish whether money laundering had been committed. Violators risked imprisonment ranging from one to 10 years and assets obtained dishonestly would be seized, Vassana said. But he was unsure whether Sunthorn really had amassed over Bt3.91 billion in personal wealth, as claimed in the lawsuit. Such riches could be gained honestly, he said, if the late general had made profits from land deals and other businesses. Meanwhile, National Counter Corruption Commission chairman Opas Arunin said yesterday the law did not allow the agency to investigate Sunthorn`s wealth as the general had left the public service more than two years ago and was deceased. However, he said, the NCCC had resolved to assign its legal subcommittee to establish what could be done about the matter. Klanarong Chanthik, secretary-general of the NCCC, said the anti-graft agency was authorised by law to disclose details about assets of the prime minister and other Cabinet members filed it, but not those of permanent officials. Only a court order would make disclosure of permanent officials` assets possible, he added. A court might cite the public interest in the case being heard as the reason for asking for such information from the NCCC, Klanarong said. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday he was "surprised" by the amount cited in the lawsuit filed by Sunthorn`s first wife. "I don`t think he had such a large amount of assets," the PM said. His deputy premier and defence minister, Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, and Armed Forces Supreme Commander General Sampao Chusri also expressed disbelief at the massive figures. Chavalit, a close friend of Sunthorn, said the late general had borrowed some money from him. "I believe in his innocence," the ex-premier said, but added that to clear any doubt about Sunthorn`s wealth, an official investigation should be conducted. But Chavalit expressed opposition to calls for an examination into the wealth of other key members of the National Peace-Keeping Council (NPKC), which cited rampant corruption as the reason for overthrowing the Chatichai Choonhavan government in February 1991. Sampao said yesterday he did not think Sunthorn had amassed nearly Bt4 billion, as had been claimed in the lawsuit. Sunthorn had difficulties footing his medical bills, he said. At the Royal Hotel yesterday, pressure groups held a panel discussion on the wealth of former military strongmen. Speakers accused the prime minister and the NCCC of trying to dodge their responsibilities in regard to Sunthorn`s alleged wealth. Kanin Boonsuwan, a former constitution drafter, said the government and anti-graft agency appeared to be trying to distance themselves from the controversy. Pipop Thongchai, chairman of the Campaign For Popular Democracy (CFPD), said the premier might be concerned investigation into Sunthorn`s wealth could raise questions about his riches. The activist added that Thaksin`s companies were awarded concessions when the NPKC was in power. Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the CFPD, said pressure groups would write today to the Revenue Department director-general, to seek an examination of Sunthorn`s tax records. Next Tuesday, the groups would petition the Prime Minister and the NCCC chairman to ask for them to urgently address the matter, the activist said. The groups also planned to file similar petitions with the Parliament president next Wednesday and the Parliamentary Ombudsman next Thursday, Suriyasai said. BY OPAS BOONLOM and BUSSARIN LERTCHAVALITSKUL The Nation 23.3.01 |
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| aus der Diskussion: | Waste or make money in Thailand |
| Autor (Datum des Eintrages): | BodyG (23.03.01 01:00:08) |
| Beitrag: | 587 von 611 (ID:3157937) |
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