Bt76-billion seizure suit likely next week

Public prosecutors are likely to file a lawsuit next week against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to seize Bt76 billion of his family's assets.

Waiyawut Lotrakul, deputy attorney-general who chairs a working group on the corruption case prepared by the Assets Examination Committee, said yesterday that public prosecutors had submitted their completed lawsuit to Attorney-General Chaikasem Nitisiri for approval.

He expects the suit to be filed with the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders by next week.

Before completing its term at the end of June, the AEC accused Thaksin of being unusually wealthy and of abusing his authority to help his family's business.

It also ordered Bt69 billion in the Shinawatras' bank accounts to be frozen and sought a lawsuit to seize Bt76 billion in allegedly ill-gotten assets.

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC), which has taken over from the AEC the investigation of graft cases involving Thaksin and his Cabinet members, also insisted that the Bt76 billion be seized, according to Waiyawut.

NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said yesterday that he expected public prosecutors to file a civil case for asset seizure next week.

He said Thaksin would be accused of being unusually wealthy and abusing his authority while in office to benefit his associates and his family's business.

Meanwhile, senior public prosecutor Nanthasak Poonsuk, who is part of the working group on the corruption case involving the Ratchadaphisek land scandal, said yesterday that public prosecutors would begin the process of seeking the extradition of Thaksin and his wife Pojaman when court proceedings in the case are completed on August 22.

In the separate case against Pojaman of tax evasion, Nanthasak said she and the two others convicted - her brother Bhanapot Damapong and her secretary Kanchanapa Honghern - have 30 days to appeal the recent court ruling for their imprisonment.

"If no appeal is filed during the 30-day period, this case is considered completed, and the next process is seeking the extradition of the fugitive convicts," the prosecutor said. He added that all three appeared to have left the country.

In a related development, Criminal Court secretary Naruch Imsuksri said he would discuss with the judges in the tax-evasion case to determine whether Pojaman's bond imposed for her temporary release should be seized now that she has jumped bail in the Ratchadaphisek graft case.

The Criminal Court earlier sentenced Pojaman to three years in jail for tax evasion in the transfer of her shares to her brother Bhanapot with the help of her secretary Kanchanapa. Bhanapot received three years in jail and Kanchanapa two years.

The three were released on bail of Bt5 million each.

Naruch said yesterday that the judges would summon Pojaman and if she failed to show up, her bail money would be seized.

The court might also refuse to grant her temporary release, which would cause her to be kept in detention during the remaining court proceedings.