SHIN SHARE INQUIRY : Potjaman's secretary: I know nothing of tax query

SHIN SHARE INQUIRY : Potjaman's secretary: I know nothing of tax query.

AMPA SANTIMATANEDOL

Karnchanapha Honghern, a secretary to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra's wife Khunying Potjaman, said she knew nothing of a letter sent by another secretary to the Revenue Department querying tax issues in the sale of billions of baht worth of Shin Corp shares outside the stock market by Mr Thaksin's son Panthongtae. Mrs Karnchanapha yesterday testified before the Assets Scrutiny Committee's (ASC) tax investigators about the sale of Shin Corp shares via Ample Rich Investments in January last year by Mr Panthongtae and the relevant tax issues.

She refused to speak to the press after seven hours of questioning.

Viroj Laohaphan, head of the probe team, said his team questioned Mrs Karnchanapha on the issues regarding the Shin Corp share deal between offshore holding vehicle Ample Rich and Singapore's Temasek Holdings, which Mr Panthongtae had failed to answer.

Mr Panthongtae testified before the panel on Wednesday, insisting he merely signed papers and referred the investigators to Mrs Karnchanapha for a detailed explanation as she had handled his business for him.

Mr Viroj said his panel questioned Mrs Karnchanapha about the sending of a letter by Pranee Vejchapruekpitak to the Revenue Department. In the letter, Mrs Pranee, another personal secretary to Khunying Potjaman, had asked the department if the Shin Corp shares sold via Ample Rich should be taxable or not.

Mr Viroj quoted Mrs Karnchanapha as saying that she personally knew Mrs Pranee. However, she had not assigned Mrs Pranee to send the letter, nor did she have any idea why the woman had corresponded with the department.

The probe panel would look into the reasons behind Mrs Pranee's action. The panel did not say if it would summon Mrs Pranee for questioning.

However, it would not invite Mrs Karnchanapha to testify again, said Mr Viroj.

He added that Mrs Karnchanapha's statements would help the panel wrap up the inquiry faster. It is expected to be concluded next month.

Bangkok Post
Saturday January 13, 2007