From todays Nation, further developments in a story New Mandala has been following for some time:
Prasong Soonsiri attacked Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Wednesday night, telling the premier that “your house is inside a national forest reserve.” He was speaking during the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) censure debate. Prasong displayed an aerial map that he claimed indicated that Surayud’s rural home at Khao Yai Thiang in Nakhon Ratchasima was in fact located inside a forest reserve. “This land is inside reserve forest, which is forbidden from being issued with a land document. Because of that, anyone who resides in the area must be considered a trespasser of public land and the penalty is imprisonment,” Prasong said during the censure debate of the Cabinet. Prasong went on to detail how the land had been acquired by Surayud. He claimed that a local villager had sold the plot to Noppadon Pitakwanich in 1995 for Bt700,000. Two years later, the land was resold to an Army officer for Bt50,000. It was later sold to Surayud’s wife, Khunying Chitravadee. Prasong said the discrepancy between the two amounts was most suspicious. He also cited a remark made last December, when Surayud claimed he would accept responsibility if he had done anything illegal.He urged the PM “to set a new standard” and accept responsibility for the ownership of the land, which Prasong believes is illegal and unethical for a prime minister. “If the prime minister can stay there, why should a number of villagers be arrested?” Prasong said, adding that several years ago a well-known monk called Phra Prajak was defrocked and prosecuted for setting up a monastery in a nearby area. He added that the prime minister should know full well that it is his duty to protect public property, instead of it belonging to him privately. Such ownership is also against Prime Minister’s Office regulations No 22, he said.
22 responses so far ↓
1 Thai Chat // Oct 12, 2007 at 6:46 pm
It seems that tricking laws at the edge is not only the former PM’s apanage, the new one would get indulge in it too… What a surprise ! ;-p
2 polo // Oct 13, 2007 at 7:51 am
Surayud’s land steal is an issue but since it is so common in Thailand — “everybody does it” would not be far off — I am more interested in what Prasong is up to. Here’s a guy that due to his former high spook status has the goods on everyone and he doles it out when he feels like it, not with any pattern or design or principle. He’s been alternately on the side of the king, the democrats, the military coup-ists, the military anti-coupists, the pro-parliamentarian and the antis, the capitalist and the antis, end so on. Once close to Prem but battering Prem’s guy now; backed the coup but now won’t defend it. He seems to be a nihilist just tossing grenades when he wants. Does anyone have another view of what his purpose is? Does anyone like him? Is he just an establishment version of Pansak Vinyaratn?
3 Srithanonchai // Oct 13, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Sounds like a principled guy who decides where he stands according to whether the others conform to his views. Why should he support Surayudh for the reason that he has to do a favor to Prem when the PM violates his principles? Also, he was in favor of the coup, but he does not need to defend the following actions of those involved if they do not conform to what he has in mind. Besides, I dislike this guy, because he plays his political games within the dominant oligarchy without letting the public in on his information and intentions. That is, he does not has a democratic mind (just as Thaksin, who he attacked, did not have one).
4 Ex-Ajarn // Oct 15, 2007 at 5:43 pm
This is old news; everyone knows that current dictatorship is corrupt; but it is interesting that opponents to the dictators feel confident enough to expose the corruption.
The current regime of dictators has never opposed any corruption except that of the regime’s political enemies. Anyone who lives in Thailand and is involved in the local economy knows corruption has increased under the rule of the military dictators.
So one of the head dictators is corrupt, anyone surprised?
5 jonfernquest // Oct 15, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Forest encroachment is not the news here.
Forced resignations from the government due to “ethics” investigations spearheaded by Squadron Commander Yang-mi-fai to force election delays is the issue and the news:
See Bangkok Post editorial, Oct 15:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/121007_News/12Oct2007_news18.php
Earlier commentary:
http://www.readbangkokpost.com/business/shin_sale_and_coup/pad_falling_into_disarray_elec.php#article
6 col. jeru // Oct 16, 2007 at 12:23 am
Can Ex-Ajarn back-up his claim: “Anyone who lives in Thailand and is involved in the local economy knows corruption has increased under the rule of the military dictators.” ?
I can’t even imagine Ex-Ajarn what or how or where Ex-Ajarn can begin his ‘corruption comparisons’ between current military dictators and Thaksin’s rampantly corrupt regime.
I live in Thailand and my impression is the junta had ‘less’ opportunity to get corrupt because they are constrained from pursuing any big projects. But I could be wrong of course, so maybe Ex-Ajarn (the professor) can give us an education on this very subject.
7 Grasshopper // Oct 16, 2007 at 1:30 am
Colonel, i do not understand how you can criticize ex-Ajarn for his/her claim because you don’t know what corruption they are referring too. Maybe ex-Ajarn is referring to ordinary citizen’s corruption?
What if really the root of Thailand’s ‘corruption’ comes from a lack of international trading pressure that fosters little domestic accountability? Will Thaksin be the only devil then?
8 James Haughton // Oct 16, 2007 at 11:19 am
The figures for 2006 and 2007 are now out from Transparency International.
From a high of 3.8 in 2005, (probably reflecting some success of the royal campaign against corruption?), the figure dropped to 3.6 in 2006 (possibly reflecting the accusations surrounding the airport and other mega-projects?) and now under the junta has hit a low of 3.3 for 2007, the lowest it’s been since 2003. Thailand’s relative rank has dropped also. Ex-Ajaan is quite justified in saying that corruption is on the rise.
I intend to attend the talk on corruption at ANU so will post something summarising that.
9 Ex-Ajarn // Oct 16, 2007 at 3:46 pm
col. jeru
A little hard to do an empirical study on corruption, participants are reluctant to participant in these types of studies. Currently I have dealings with government officials and the Army, and they don’t even bother to hide their requests for gratuities. Another example, go down Ladphrao Road and other areas of Bangkok and see the openness of brothels (who do you think gets paid off to allow these places to operate?). Police corruption has increased and the current regime has not made any efforts to curb any corruption unless it was committed by a member of TRT. Can anyone show an example of the government making any attempts to curb corruption that was not politically motivated?
10 Srithanonchai // Oct 16, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Surayudh it hot water?
PM transferred controversial land to son
(BangkokPost.com) – A panel investigating Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont’s resort on reserved forest found that Gen Surayud has transferred the land to his son Chun less than two months after he came into power.
The panel, led by Chumpol Sangthong, who is a close aide of National Legislative Assembly member Prasong Soonsiri, revealed new information that Gen Surayud transferred the controversial piece of land on Khao Yai Thieng to his son on November 7 of last year.
Mr Chumpol said Gen Surayud did not report the ownership of the piece of land to the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) after he took the top post, which was before he owned the land to his son.
He accused Gen Surayud of possibly concealing his assets.
Mr Chumpol said the panel will forward this matter to the NCCC for investigation.
BP 16 Oct. 2007 (online)
11 Srithanonchai // Oct 16, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Ex-Ajarn/Jeru: The most funny thing was when it appeared that the printing of the new constitution before the copies were sent to the people ahead of the referendum was marred with corruption. Ironically, this included a number of state-run printing houses…
12 col. jeru // Oct 17, 2007 at 1:02 am
I wonder whether any business can be concluded in Thailand without some ‘inducement’ money being exchanged to facilitate permits, licenses or what nots?
In Thailand anything is possible for a price. Judges are crooked, lawyers are crooked, policemen are crooked.
But ignoring small-time graft, is there anybody in this forum who had been exposed first-hand to big-time big money corruption? I for one would be interested to read the dirty nitty details . . .
13 Grasshopper // Oct 17, 2007 at 10:07 am
Colonel – Colonel!!, I was at the Koh Kong border and I had forgotten to take any money with me as I presumed I could visit a bank before closure, but it was too late, so I had to go back into Thailand for an ATM. I said to the Cambodian border officials that I didn’t want to pay for another Visa and they said it was ok after some jibes about my foolery. The Thai officials however, insisted that I leave my passport with them. As I was in no position no argue, I did so. Anyway, upon obtaining 3000 baht (all that was left in my account) I tried to get back my passport from the balding, tubby official and he wanted 1500 baht for it. I said that was ridiculous, corrupt and that I would report him to his superior. He pointed to his superior who was standing behind him and they both laughed. The superior said that this was ‘nothing’ and that I can talk to the Cambodian officials if I want to do ‘business’. Due to my obvious poverty I negotiated them down to 600 baht which they said they would use for toilet paper. I walked back through the border check and offered the Cambodian officials 400 baht which they did not take! The two officials at the desk implied through my poor understanding of French that 400 baht was not enough to get arrested for. Imagine what else goes down on that border!
14 Srithanonchai // Oct 17, 2007 at 2:30 pm
But it is the everyday, “small-time graft”, including position buying in the bureaucracy, that does so much harm to the country!
15 Ex-Ajarn // Oct 17, 2007 at 6:05 pm
col. jeru
People with first-hand accounts of large scale corruption are unlikely to make the details public for obvious reasons. Chuan lacked the political muscle to tackle the problem, Thaksin actually did make some moves to lessen corruption (with the obvious exception of the corruption that benefited him personally), but the current administration is too concerned with retaining power to do anything that would result in making any powerful people unhappy, unless the people are already their political enemies and then the anti-corruption drive has nothing to do with corruption, but is a use of power to crush political opposition (although the opposition was also corrupt). The corruption is not the motive for the vendetta against members of the TRT, but the political power they wielded. The Junta has not made a single move against any of the corruption that benefits the Democrat party, the military or the police. Although hard to measure, appears to me that corruption is on the increase, but previous empirical studies shows a strong correlation between dictatorships and corruption, so there is no reason to think Thailand would be the exception to the rule.
Hard to believe that there continues to be support for this military dictatorship with all the evidence of its failure, and the support is surely evaporating but we have to admire col. jeru for standing on his principles of supporting authoritarian and non-elected rule as long as his object of hatred (Thaksin) is prevented from running in an election.
16 Grasshopper // Oct 17, 2007 at 6:09 pm
This ’small time graft’ issue is one not isolated to Thailand but the region. All the states surrounding Thailand have a similar issue of cronyism. Malaysia has its ‘new rich’, Cambodia has the extended extended family of Hun Sen, Burma…. The regional exception is Singapore. (I am not sure about Vietnam.)
Why doesn’t Singapore suffer from these labels? Obviously now it would be quite hard for Singapore to suffer from the type of corruption (other than nepotism?) that goes on north of its border, but how did Singapore achieve this? I am sure the answer is in its determined involvement with the international economy which has created a pressurised domestic system that has consequently fostered accountability… and responsibility. Surely if Thai people wish to rid themselves of corruption, Bangkok needs to become an NIE and spread its growth and institutions outward.. perhaps to the detriment of forests and rivers…
17 col. jeru // Oct 17, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Nearly everyone here in the forum admit to second-hand or third-hand gossips about the current military rulers . . . so who can I rely on?
Since we all rely on second hand information, my information is just as good as any other guy. And my information (from media and from any googled Thai scandals of 6 years past) still point to Thaksin’s rule as corruption-ridden of a Godzilan scale. Surely Surayud’s forest trespassing (if true) would have been a minor transgression (compared with Thaksin Shinawatra) had he not reluctantly accepted to be interim PM of Thailand.
Small-time graft and ex-Ajarn’s banal gripes about Thai prostitution and military gratuities had been around since Thai Adam . . . and its scale is no more or no less than before. So what is new Srithanonchai, Ex-Ajarn, Grasshopper and the rest?
18 col. jeru // Oct 17, 2007 at 10:43 pm
” But it is the everyday “small-time graft” . . . that does so much harm to the country!” – That is what Srithanonchai believes but I have my doubts. Thaksin Shinawatra justified his corruption one time by insinuating that corruption is the Thai way . . . and rhetorically invited anyone ‘who had not sinned to cast the first stone’. I responded with a hail of slingshots directed at Thaksin Shinawatra!
Thailand has to prioritize! Tackle big-time corruption starting by the judicial prosecution of Thaksin Shinawatra, wife and gang for any and all offenses including tax cheating. Once Thailand can show determination to jail big-time criminally corrupts, there will be a quick filter down effects . . .
19 Srithanonchai // Oct 17, 2007 at 11:15 pm
In Thailand, there is a “culture of corruption” (ever wondered what all those gift baskets around new year are for?). “There will be quick filter down effects.” I wished it was so. However, it seems that by pointing the finger at big corruption cases, people are only encouraged to continue with their ways. A teacher buying his promotion to school director; Ombudsmen office or democracy promotion officials going on tax-paid pleasure trips abroad; district officers and provincial governors getting free memberships in golf clubs; lecturers offering weekend, evening, or English-language curricula? This isn’t seen as corruption, but as normal… (and this is just chicken feed). It seems to me that the higher people climb on the bureaucratic ladder, the more they come to see the opportunities for corruption as some sort of fringe benefit to their position and thus think that this is their right. As a former riverside university rector once bluntly told me: “In your country, lecturers are well paid. But in Thailand, we are forced to become corrupt (so that we might be able to life the lives we think we have a right to, i.e. house, car, foreign schooling of our kids…).” This perspective seems to be widespread. How much of the national budget disappears in this way each year? If I remember correctly, it was either Thipawan or Jaruwan who put the figure as high as 30%. Given that a further 30% is spent uselessly, only 40% might remain for developing the country, although much will go to salaries (look at the budget structure of the ministry of education, for example).
(This is just a comment from years of experience; no claim to academic validity.)
20 James Haughton // Oct 18, 2007 at 1:53 pm
A transparency international assessment is more than third-hand gossip.
21 Ex-Ajarn // Oct 18, 2007 at 6:29 pm
As the Col. no doubt knows, the empirical evidence shows a strong correlation between having non-elected forms of government and increased levels of corruption. Although I know of no specific studies published on this topic measuring the current junta here in Thailand, I wonder why the Col. thinks Thailand would not follow the same pattern found in the rest of the world?
22 col. jeru // Oct 18, 2007 at 7:55 pm
As Ex-Ajarn probably already knows, corruption is a disease that flourishes in both democratic and authoritarian systems whatever Ex-Ajarn\’s empirical studies show. And it is a toss-up which corruption, (\’elected\’ corruption or \’non-elected\’ corruption) leaves nations that much poorer.
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