Bhanapot case: Revenue chief axed
The Finance Ministry yesterday fired Sirote Swasdipanich, the director-general of the Revenue Department, and four other senior officials for failing to collect tax from the family of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The five are to face charges of malfeasance and exempting tax collection under Articles 154 and 157 of the Criminal Law. They are Sirote; Vichai Jungrakkiat, director-general of the State Enterprises Policy Office and former director of the Revenue Department's legal bureau; Moreerat Boonyasiri, director of the legal bureau; and legal officers Suchinda Saengchompu and Kulluedee Saengsayan. They will also face disciplinary charges in accordance with the Civil Service Directive Act 1992, Articles 82, 85 and 98. The National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) has forwarded the investigation file to the Attorney-General for prosecution and to the Finance Ministry. Deputy PM and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula yesterday chaired a subcommittee at a civil service meeting to impose the penalties on the five officials after the NCCC accused them of failing in their duty to tax Bhanapot Damapong, brother in law of Khunying Pojaman, the wife of deposed PM Thaksin. Pridiyathorn said the severe penalty would also cut their rights to a pension fund. The penalty will take effect within three days but they could appeal to the Civil Service Commission, he said. Pridiyathorn expressed his personal sympathy but said the ministry had no other option due to the severe allegations made by the NCCC. Deputy Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said the penalty was an historical case at the Finance Ministry, where many irregularities had occurred during the former Thaksin government. He said the appointment of a new Revenue chief and head of the State Enterprise Policy Office will take place next month. Bhanapot acquired 4.5 million shares in Shin Corp as a "gift" worth Bt738 million, for which Sirote and the four tax officials failed to collect tax. The NCCC's decision followed the Assets Examination Committee's primary ruling in November that Bhanapot had to pay Bt546 million in tax for the Shin Corp shares he acquired in 1997 from a domestic helper of the Shinawatras. A government official found guilty of malfeasance is subject to up to 10 years in jail and/or a fine of up to Bt20,000.
Wichit Chaitrong The Nation
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