Thai anti-graft panel recommends prosecuting Thaksin and wife

The Straits Times, February 27, 2007


BANGKOK - An anti-graft panel has recommended that criminal charges be filed against deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife over a questionable land purchase that earned them millions of dollars, an official said on Tuesday.

Mr Thaksin and his wife, Pojamarn Shinawatra, are accused of violating a conflict of interest law that carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment, said Udom Fuengfung, who headed the inquiry for the Assets Examination Committee (AEC).

A criminal court must still determine whether to accept the case.

The AEC's recommendation late Monday was the latest move toward attempts to indict Mr Thaksin, his family and colleagues on corruption charges.

Mr Thaksin was accused of massive corruption during his two terms in office, and the military cited graft allegations as one of the key justifications for staging a bloodless coup against him in September.

The 772 million baht (at today's rate S$35.2 million) land deal was among 13 cases under investigation by military-appointed panels.

The case deals with Ms Pojamarn's 2003 purchase of some prime Bangkok real estate from the Financial Institutions Development Fund, or Fidf, a state rescue fund directed by the central bank.

Its value reportedly doubled two months after she bought it.

'Mr Thaksin and his wife violated article 152 of the criminal law, which deals with conflict of interest, for illegally benefiting from state property,' said Mr Udom.

Anti-corruption laws bar a prime minister or his spouse from doing business with a government agency.

Mr Thaksin was overseas at the time of the September coup and has not returned to Thailand since.

The AEC said that if Mr Thaksin wants to testify on his behalf the panel would allow him to do so in person, in writing or would send an official to meet him abroad, Mr Udom said. -- AP