Statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda Foundation is under his name but the chief royal adviser has no management position nor linkage to its land sale in Sa Kaew in 2006, foundation secretary general Pongthep Thesprateep said on Tuesday.
"The attempt to smear Prem is unjustified," Pongthep said, reacting to an allegation raised by red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua.
Natthawut cast doubt on the land sale, saying Prem might have personally benefitted from the deal.
Speaking in Prem's defence, Pongthep outlined the land transaction as carried out by the foundation without Prem's involvement.
In 2003, a company, MMC Sitipol, donated several plots covering 1,550 rai to foundation.
Of the donated land, three plots covering 247 rai located separately from the main parcel of land, making it difficult to manage the property.
After checking with the donor and relevant authorities, the foundation decided to put the three plots for sale. General Nop Pinsaikaew, the then vice president of the foundation, and his son Apichet bought the plots at market price estimated at Bt12,000 per rai.
The deal was audited and approved by the authorities. The sale revenues were deposited into the foundation's account.
As for the plot under the foundation's management, it has been developed as a demonstration centre for rubber plantation and farming under the New Economic Theory. Earnings from the land are reported as the foundation's revenues.
The Nation
