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May 2004 : Objection to Liverpool Lottery
The government will sell lottery tickets to raise-funds to buy Liverpool shares. The House voted confidence to all 8 ministers and passed Rajabhat University Bill and bill on coins to commemorate Her Majesty’s 72 birthday anniversary. The Senate chose Apphai Janthanajullaka to become Constitution Court Judge. The Appeal Court upheld jail sentence for Kamna Poh.
Lottery to finance Liverpool purchase
The cabinet meeting on May 18 approved the plan for Sports Authority of Thailand to coordinate in purchasing 30 percent stake in the English Premier League soccer club Liverpool cost 4.6 billion baht. The country will benefit from promotion of sports and goods. An independent agency or business company will be set up to act as negotiator and raise fund from the public.
10 million lottery tickets will be sold at cost of 1000 baht each to raise 10 billion baht fund. First prize winner shall receive 1000 million baht while tickets buyers receive Liverpool stock certificates worth 200 baht for each lottery. After deduct prizes and management cost will remain 5 billion baht to buy Liverpool shares.
This lottery policy was strongly criticized by public and opposition reasoning un-constitution regards to the public affairs in section 87 and 212. Furthermore, lottery is immoral and promote crimes therefore the government should find alternatives.
8 ministers evade censure
The House on May 24 confidentially voted to all 8 ministers on censure debete namely:
- Deputy PM. Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh , alleged on unable to solve southern unrest and transparency in purchasing army weapons, received 331 to 156 with 7 abstain.
- Deputy PM Suchart Jaovisidha, alleged on irregularities during his terms as finance minister on reduce mobile phone tariff and intervene in merger and acquisition of Industrial Fund Corporation of Thailand, UOB Rattanasin Bank and Thai Military Bank in favor of major shareholder, the Prime Minister’s son , received 331 to 157 with 7 abstain.
- .Finance minister Somkid Chatusriputhak, alleged on sale of Financial Institutions Development Fund land in the Ratchadapisek area to PM’s wife, Khunying Pojamarn, at an unusually low price, received 333 to 156 with 6 abstain.
- Transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, alleged on approving the construction of Ratchadapisek-Ram Intra road through Bangkok Boulevard housing estate, owned by SC Asset Co. which belongs to the family of the PM, received 333 to 157 with 8 abstain.
- Information and Communications Technology minister Surapong Suebwonglee, alleged of pushed an executive decree to enforce telecom excise tax in favor of cell-phone giant Advance Info Services Plc. [ AIS] owned by PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s family, received 331 to 158 with 6 abstain.
- Commerce minister Watta Muangsuk alleged of cronyism and nepotism in favor of friends in agricultural products auction and unable to solve low agricultural products-high consumer products, received 333 to 156 with 6 abstain.
- DPM Wan Muhamad Nor Matha alleged of concealing assets, received 334 to 156 with 6 abstain.
- Education minister Adisai Bodharamik alleged of failing to push educational reform, university entrance exam test leak and appointment-reshuffle of educational personals.
Wan Muhamad Nor Matha and Adisai are further face impeachment motion.
2 controversial bills passed
The House voted 298 to approve the amended Rajabhat University Bill after the Constitution Court ruled the passed-flawed bill can be corrected before submit for royal endorsement.
In the meantime the House also voted 322 to accept the draft bill on coins to commemorate Her majesty’s 72 birthday anniversary. The bill was resubmitted by the cabinet after rejected by His Majesty due to 3 errors.
New constitution court judge
The Senate chosed ministry of Social Development and Human Securities permanent secretary Aphai Janthanajullaka to become a judge, from political science section, of the constitution court. He beats his second runnerup by 147 to 36 and will succeed Judge Amorn Raksasat who retired on December 2003.
“Kamnan Poh” found guilty
The Appeals Court upheld a five-year-and-four-month jail sentence for Somchai Khunpluem, alias “Kamnan Poh”, for corruption in a land sale to Pattaya City during July 1992 to July 1993, twelve years ago. The 140-rai land plot in tambon Khao Mai Kaew, Bang Lamung District of Chonburi, cost 93.5 million baht was considered too expensive for development into a garbage dump site.
Kamnan Poh was later released on bail of one million baht.
From : http://www.fpps.or.th
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