POLITICS / GENERAL ELECTION, CABINET MEMBERS' WEALTH, UNUSUALLY RICH ALLEGATION : Info on ministers' assets disclosed

POLITICS / GENERAL ELECTION, CABINET MEMBERS' WEALTH, UNUSUALLY RICH ALLEGATION :

Info on ministers' assets disclosed.

ANUCHA CHAROENPO

The National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) yesterday released details of assets declared by Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office Prasit Kovilaikool and Deputy Finance Minister Sommai Phasi. The two ministers joined the interim cabinet on Nov 21 last year, more than a month after the rest of the cabinet was installed by the military-led Council for National Security on Oct 8.

Mr Prasit declared assets amounting to 28.8 million baht while his wife Sukanya reported 20.2 million baht worth.

Their holdings included nine plots of land, two luxury houses, two luxury cars, investment money and cash deposits. They reported no debts.

Mr Sommai had 26.9 million baht in assets while his wife Sophang declared capital worth around 32.8 million baht and debts of around 6.9 million baht. Their holdings included three houses, eight plots of land, cash deposits, wristwatches, Buddha amulets and several jewellery items.

The anti-graft body also made a disclosure of a copy of a share contract in four companies held by the current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula and his wife.

The NCCC reported that the former Bank of Thailand governor and his wife had already transferred shares in four companies that they held over five per cent in to Trinity Securities Group. M.R. Pridiyathorn and his wife empowered the security company to manage the shares worth around 116.7 million baht on Dec 8, 2005.

The transfer of the shares was required by a law on cabinet ministers' shares enacted in 2002 following Article 209 of the now-defunct 1997 constitution.

Last December the NCCC disclosed assets of the first group of cabinet ministers.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister Sitthichai Pokai-udom is the richest of the 27 ministers declaring assets of 318.9 million baht while Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont declared 25.2 million baht.

Bangkok Post
Saturday January 13, 2007