rickfarang Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Gosh, to think that the former Caretaker PM might only have a few tens of millions of US$ left after this is over... ------------------------ Thailand to target deposed PM's assets BANGKOK: -- Thailand may seize the assets of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, a self-made telecom tycoon believed to be worth over $2-billion (about R14,6-billion), the new military junta said on Friday. "It's under consideration on how we will proceed," with Thaksin's vast assets, said air force chief Chalit Pukbhasuk, one of the military leaders who toppled Thaksin in a bloodless coup on Tuesday. The junta also appointed a new nine-member National Counter Corruption Commission, clearing the way for a probe of the financial affairs of Thaksin, who was staying in London on Friday. Forbes magazine in July said Thaksin is Thailand's fourth richest businessman with a fortune worth R2,2-billion. The 56-year-old, who took office in 2001, was the founder of Thailand's telecom giant Shin Corp., which includes the country's top mobile phone company, satellite services and a stake in a budget airline. His family in January sold a nearly 50-percent stake in Shin Corp. and earned R1,9-billion under a tax-free deal, setting off months of street protests demanding his ousting over alleged abuse of power and corruption. The commission said Friday that when Thaksin first took office he declared assets worth 15.12 billion baht (about R2,9-billion) held in 27 bank accounts and in stocks in 29 companies and investment funds. Months after taking office, a top court found Thaksin not guilty on charges that he had failed to disclose full assets to the authority. Thaksin also owned four houses, 35 buildings and land in Bangkok, in his hometown in northern Chiang Mai province, in the southern tourist resort of Phuket and elsewhere. He also declared 10 cars including a Porsche and a Ferrari, and stacks of diamonds, rubies, topaz necklaces, rings and watches. Earlier Friday, the junta expanded the powers of the national police chief, which would make it easier to press ahead with prosecutions against Thaksin and other members of his government. Thailand's auditor general told local media that she would be ready to complete at least one long-standing corruption investigation into him within days. The junta has promised to appoint a new civilian government within two weeks, and to draft a new constitution to clear the way for elections in October 2007. Air chief Chalit said the generals were considering at least five candidates to become the new prime minister, but he declined to reveal their names. "The new prime minister is likely to be a legal expert because he has to implement constitutional reforms, while his deputies can oversee economic affairs," he said. "There are more than five people under consideration, and I expect he will be named soon," Chalit said. -- AFP 2006-09-23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Sounds good to me! I wonder what they will discover................ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 I wonder if the watch I thought I lost is now in his 'possession'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soiarrai Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 Build more bar complexes with the reclaimed bhat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted September 22, 2006 Report Share Posted September 22, 2006 The best way to hurt rich people is to turn them into poor people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shygye Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 But the money will just get "laundered" to the leaders of the military junta; probably without paying taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 But the money will just get "laundered" to the leaders of the military junta; probably without paying taxes. 2B...uhhhh, after we counted, it was only 1B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 "Self-made" isn't so hard when you start out from one of the wealthiest families in Chiang Mai and get a monopoly on a product everyone wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 And a wife coming from a family with even more money... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bust Posted September 23, 2006 Report Share Posted September 23, 2006 You guys really know how to kick a man when he's down....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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