THAKSIN'S ASSETS
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday agreed to consider a lawsuit seeking the confiscation of 76 billion baht of Thaksin Shinawatra's assets.
The civil suit, brought by attorney-general Chaikasem Nitisiri, claims the assets, most of which were frozen following the Sept 19, 2006 coup, were illegally acquired while Mr Thaksin was in office.
It is alleged Mr Thaksin abused his authority when prime minister to enrich his telecommunications empire.
The Supreme Court has scheduled Dec 25 for the first hearing. Mr Thaksin and others wishing to object to the lawsuit have 30 days to do so. None of Mr Thaksin's representatives were in court.
A meeting of Supreme Court judges yesterday selected judge Pongthep Siripongtikanont to replace judge Sirichai Jirabunsri on the nine-member bench hearing the case. Mr Sirichai is ill.
Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij said yesterday the Attorney-General's Office would be negligent if it failed to review its decision not to indict Mr Thaksin and his wife in connection with their shareholding in SC Asset Corp.
They were accused by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) of failing to inform the Securities and Exchange Commission of large share transactions in the firm. The DSI can ask the attorney-general to review the decision.
Mr Korn said those in power were trying to protect the Shinawatras.
''They cannot let the case enter the justice process because it is the only one not taken up by the Assets Scrutiny Committee. The government can amend the charter to nullify the ASC, but it cannot do anything with this case, which has been investigated by the DSI and the SEC,'' he said. Former DSI chief Sunai Manomai-udom was among the first to be axed after the People Power party won the Dec 23 general election.
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