- Published: 13/10/2012 at 09:29 PM
- Writer: Online Reporters
Pol Capt Suwanee Sawaengpol, the Amlo deputy secretary-general, said she was not aware of the incident, which Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon brought to light on Saturday.
Mr Ong-art urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to take action on the issue to show she was serious about corruption.
The National Anti-Corruption Network (NACN), an alliance of prominent business leaders, believed the money in question had been skimmed from government flood-prevention project budgets.
The NACN said the Amlo and the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission had requested information from the Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) of Hong Kong, according to Mr Ong-art.
The Amlo never made any such request to Hong Kong, Pol Capt Suwanee said.
The ICAC's website did not mention the case.
Premier Yingluck did not comment on the issue.
Mr Ong-art raised the issue of the missing money hours before a rally the Democrat Party staged in Bangkok's Lumpini Park to provide facts about the military crackdown on red-shirt protests in April and May 2010 when it was the government.
The rally drew almost 2,000 supporters.
The recent report by the Truth for Reconciliation Commission (TRC) lent weight to the role played by the men in black in the anti-government protests. It also said the government of the day had to bear responsibility for some of the events.
Democrat deputy leader Apirak Apirak Kosayodhin said that the TRC clearly said in its report that the men in black used war weapons to attack security forces on April 10, 2010.
But now efforts have been made to distort the facts and deflect the blame to the previous Abhisit Vejjajiva government, which actually handled the protests under the emergency rule.
Sathit Pitutecha, a Democrat MP for Rayong, said the men in black were paid to commit crimes and acts of violence including killing members of security forces and innocent people as well as red shirt protesters themselves during the 2010 unrest.
The men in black were paid to specifically destroy the Abhisit government, Mr Sathit said, adding that they actually originated from the red shirt movement.
Mr Sathit said all sides had agreed that the men in black really existed and committed evil deeds.
Army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday that the army had information about the black-clad men who attacked security forces on April 10, 2010.
However, he said the information should be verified as the judicial process takes it course instead of being used to trade accusations.
Share your thoughts
- Discussion 1 : 14/10/2012 at 12:12 PM
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If this incident is true but no one wants to claim it, let the HKG government use it any way they like. Since these corrupt monies cannot be siphoned off to save haven but be kept in their homes, all the maids and servants need to do is wait for the moment when important events requires the whole family to be out in force to celebrate the occasion. These servants of the corrupt can do their Robin Hood thing since they can get away with it because the real owner(s) cannot afford the truth be known. Treaure hunt anybody?
- Discussion 2 : 14/10/2012 at 08:32 AM
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"Sathit Pitutecha, a Democrat MP for Rayong, said the men in black were paid to commit crimes and acts of violence including killing members of security forces and innocent people as well as red shirt protesters themselves during the 2010 unrest....."
Now if you are a pro-Democrat Bangkokian and regular reader of this newspaper, please click "Like" and agree with the above statement.
- Discussion 3 : 14/10/2012 at 08:29 AM
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This could be a real smoking bomb but so far it's all heresay based on 'brought to light' by a Democrat MP, I suggest the BP investigate further before reporting on this, as comment suggest here it has already been accepted as fact and the usual suspects criticised.
- Discussion 4 : 14/10/2012 at 07:58 AM
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A re-election or retirement fund of 16Bn Baht would be a great investment for someone. How could such a large amount be skimmed off from Govt departments,and no-one knows about it?
- Discussion 5 : 14/10/2012 at 06:47 AM
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16 billion baht is completely beneath Thaksin. This must be Yongyuth's reward for protecting Thaksin.
- Discussion 6 : 14/10/2012 at 03:08 AM
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This is why Thailand is destined to be placed on the “black list” by the Financial Action Task Force anti money laundering group of which Thailand is a member. If Thailand’s own Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) is “bewildered” by the whereabouts of 16 billion baht siphoned from Thai taxpayer money that the anti-corruption officials in Hong Kong had no difficulty spotting and seizing, then it is obvious that AMLO is not only incapable and clueless but a ‘paper tiger’ that is toothless and a joke.
- Discussion 7 : 14/10/2012 at 03:07 AM
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Follow the money trail of who knew what and when. This is about taxpayers' money and the Rules of Law, and the Court must appoint a special prosecutor to get to the bottom of it, American style. PM YS will have plenty to answer too.
- Discussion 8 : 14/10/2012 at 02:29 AM
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The Dems used to be a capable political party set up to protect the interest of the feudal lords. Now, under the very capable leadership of the draft dodger, it has morphed into a neighborhood old lady's club - where sensational gossips abound.
- Discussion 9 : 14/10/2012 at 02:21 AM
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I agree with the possibility that a certain person who frequently meets and directs PTP from Hong Kong may have been to receive this money. Unfortunately, this would only last him a year or so if that. Must be why the next rice "scheme" is already approved and in the works.
"Premier Yingluck did not comment on the issue."
What's new? She's never commented on anything of consequence.
- Discussion 10 : 14/10/2012 at 12:57 AM
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Children calm down. There is no problem here. The 16 BN baht is for flood control management, Dubai branch.
- Discussion 11 : 13/10/2012 at 11:04 PM
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Well someone in exile visits the ex colony all the time, could the two be related or is it me just being cynical.
- Discussion 12 : 13/10/2012 at 10:49 PM
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You started out with a good discussion of missing money, but then went on to talk about men in black. Kinda confusing.
- Discussion 13 : 13/10/2012 at 10:45 PM
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AMLO, the PM and the government know nothing about this seized money in Hong Kong.I wonder who was to receive this money.Someone who is often in Hong Kong and well-connected I would assume.
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