Judgement week

This is likely to be one of the more important weeks in recent Thai history. All through the week we will be be looking at current stories relating to the Shinawatra assets case to be decided this Friday. Today, however, we'll begin with some background. Here you will find much of the key vocabulary used in stories on the case this week and next.

Below is the case against the Shinawatra family.

You will also want to see the case for their defence and the programme of their red-shirted supporters.

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The basics

The case against the Shinawatras

This Friday, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will announce its verdict on whether former minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his former wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra and their children will be able  to keep assets worth approximately 76 billion baht that Mr Thaksin and his family allegedly accumulated during his two terms in office from 2001 to 2006.

The Office of the Attorney-General, representing the 2006 coup-appointed and now disbanded Assets Scrutiny Committee, has  recommended the assets be confiscated and transferred to the state. The prosecutors say they were acquired illegally by the Shinawatra family.

Specifically, the prosecutors alleged in their closing argument  submitted to the court earlier this month that the assets were acquired through abuse of authority. They also outlined alleged conflicts of interest.

The prosecutors have accused Thaksin of concealing his ownership of Shin Corp shares while at the same time devising government policies that benefited the Shinawatra family business, causing shares in Shin Corp to surge.

Mr Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman, declared to the National Anti-Corruption Commission that they had sold most of their 48% stake in Shin Corp to their two children to comply with the law which prohibited them from holding a stake of 5% or more.

However, the prosecutors said inquiries by the Department of Special Investigation and the Securities and Exchange Commission found the couple still held the shares through shell companies Ample Rich Co and Win Mark Co.

The prosecutors said Thaksin's claims that he sold his shares in Ample Rich to his son Panthongtae were unfounded.

The prosecutors said there was evidence the money spent on buying the Ample Rich shares was paid through an account held by Khunying Potjaman.

Charges in the case also centre on a series of telecommunication policies implemented by the Thaksin government from 2001 to 2006. Prosecutors said the policies unfairly benefited the family-owned Shin Corp.

Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions – a trial court in a case where the Prime Minister, a minister, member of the House of Representatives, senator or other political official is accused of becoming unusually wealthy, committing crimes with in office, performing duties dishonestly, or being corrupted according to other laws.  ศาลฎีกา แผนกคดีอาญาของผู้ดำรงตำแหน่งทางการเมือง

verdict – a decision by a court of law คำพิพากษา
assets – things owned by a person, company etc., particularly money and property ทรัพย์สิน
allegedly – claimed to be true although not yet proven ที่ถูกกล่าวหา
accumulate – to get more and more of something over a period of time สั่งสมมานาน
term – a period of time a politician, government or other official holds their job ช่วงเวลาการดำรงตำแหน่งหรืออำนาจ
coup (d’etat) – the seizure of power in a country by a group of people, usually members of the armed forces รัฐประหาร
disbanded – (of a group) ended; stopped working together ถูกยุบ
Assets Scrutiny Committee – a committee set up after the 2007 coup to investigate wealth obtained illegally by politicians
คตส. (คณะกรรมการตรวจสอบการกระทำที่ก่อให้เกิดความเสียหายต่อรัฐ )
recommend – to advise someone that they should do something  แนะนำ
confiscate – (also seize) to officially remove someone’s possessions for legal reasons or as a punishment   ยึด(ทรัพย์)
state – government รัฐบาล
prosecutor – a lawyer whose job is to prove in court that someone accused of a crime is guilty อัยการ
argument – a reason or reasons why you support or oppose an idea or suggestion เหตุผล
submit – to formally give something to someone so that can make a decision about it ยื่น (เอกสาร) เพื่อการพิจารณา
abuse of authority – the use of power in a bad, dishonest or unlawful way การใช้อำนาจในทางที่ผิด
conflict of interest – a situation in which someone cannot make a fair decision because they will be affected by the results ผลประโยชน์ทับซ้อน
conceal – to hide something  ซุก ซ่อน
devise – to invent a method of doing something คิดขึ้นใหม่
surge – a sudden increase in something การเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างรวดเร็ว
National Anti-Corruption Commission – An independent government organisation to investigate corruption carried out by government officials ปปช. (สำนักคณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ)
stake – a share or a financial involvement in something such as a business ส่วนได้เสีย
comply – to obey a rule or law or do what someone asks you to do  ปฏิบัติตาม (กฎหมาย, ข้อเสนอ, etc.)
prohibit – to not allow; to ban ห้าม
inquiry – a question intended to get information about someone or something การไต่สวน
Department of Special Investigation – a police department investigating serious crimes involving influential people, organised crime, or crimes using highly sophisticated technology กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ
Securities and Exchange Commission – the government agency, under the Finance Ministry which oversees and regulates Thailand’s capital markets.  คณะกรรมการกำกับหลักทรัพย์และตลาดหลักทรัพย์
shell company – a company that has no assets or operations of its own, but is used by its owners to conduct specific business dealings or maintain control of other companies
unfounded – not supported with facts or evidence ที่ไม่ได้ตั้งอยู่บนหลักเหตุผล
evidence – facts statements or objects that help to prove whether or not someone has committed a crime หลักฐาน
charge – an official statement accusing someone of committing a crime ข้อหา
implement – to make something such as an idea, plan, system or law start to work and be used นำ แผนหรือนโยบายมาปฏิบัติ

Posted by Terry Fredrickson at 06:58 PM