Latest news with #NationalAnti-CorruptionCommission
Bangkok Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Weed networks still fuming
The Writing Thailand's Cannabis Future Network on Tuesday filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to probe Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin and other officials for issuing the latest cannabis regulations to please investors rather than small-scale growers. The complaint outlined five key concerns, including the removal of protection for vulnerable groups previously included in the 2022 regulation, such as a ban on cannabis sales to young people under 20. The 2025 version replaces the ban with a medical prescription system, making access far easier for the young, whom the state should protect, said the network. The group also touched on the imposition of Good Agriculture and Collection Practice (GACP), which requires that distributors and exporters must be certified by the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine. However, the criteria of the certifications and the sources of the cannabis are never announced, and thus, only a few are ever granted. The complaint addressed cannabis growers, many of whom have held legal licences and have been operating under the 2022 regulation. They now find that their products are unsellable, resulting in major losses for small businesses and communities. The regulation will also take immediate effect upon publication in the Royal Gazette, without allowing time for adaptation for the nearly 20,000 licensed shops, the network noted. The pro-cannabis network also accused the minister of unethical conduct due to his association with certain business groups in public and a lack of transparency, which limited access to economic opportunities for growers. The network said Mr Somsak, as public health minister, understands the cannabis industry in Thailand and the repercussions once the regulations come into effect. Yet, it added that he proceeded without any backup measures, which suggests his intention to benefit certain investors.
AU Financial Review
a day ago
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
NACC boss Paul Brereton hits back at his critics
National Anti-Corruption Commission boss Paul Brereton has hit back at his critics, saying there was a lot of misunderstanding about the watchdog's role and warning many investigations would take years, not months, to conclude. In a rare public appearance, Brereton told The Australian Financial Review Government Services Summit on Tuesday that only 10 per cent of the 5400 referrals to the NACC since it started in July 2023 met the legal threshold for further review, and only 1 per cent suggested serious or systemic corruption.
Bangkok Post
20-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Scholar backs tighter curbs on temples
A legal scholar is calling for tighter financial regulation of Buddhist temples, arguing senior monks hold power equivalent to high-ranking government officials yet remain exempt from anti-corruption scrutiny. Asst Prof Krich Pooyeeyama from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law said senior monks receive state-funded salaries and exercise broad authority, but the National Anti-Corruption Commission cannot audit their assets because monks are not classified as state officials under the anti-graft law. He backed a ministerial regulation that will take effect on Oct 1, requiring temples to deposit their income into bank accounts under the temple's name, limit cash holdings to 100,000 baht, and submit annual financial reports to the NOB. He said a 2021 regulation with similar requirements already exists but has been poorly enforced. The move follows growing public concern over financial scandals involving senior monks and a lack of transparency in temple asset management. "Monks making headlines are all senior figures, and the core issue stems from a lack of transparency in the management of temples, where senior monks wield unchecked power," he said. Temples are public legal entities, and monastic positions, from abbots to the Supreme Patriarch, are comparable to government roles, with state-funded salaries and statutory authority, including the ability to grant or withhold benefits. However, laws do not clearly mandate asset declarations for monks, making auditing the clergy inapplicable and leaving a gap in accountability. He said the NOB must play a central role in enforcing compliance by providing standardised forms and guidance on managing temple finances. He also commented on the draft law, the Patronage and Protection of Buddhists, which would criminalise serious monastic offences such as sexual misconduct, introducing fines and prison sentences. While Asst Prof Krich backs discipline, he warned criminal penalties must be clearly defined to avoid infringing on personal rights and freedoms. He also questioned whether deeply moral issues like these should even fall under criminal law. A recent poll by the National Institute of Development Administration reflects public concern over the issue. Nida held a nationwide survey from July 14 to 16, following news of sex and financial scandals between a woman known as "Sika Golf" and many senior monks. Among 1,310 Buddhist respondents, 76% believed some monks have engaged in misconduct such as drug use, gambling, or sexual relations. Nearly 58% said their faith in monks had declined, though 68% said their faith in Buddhism remained intact. Over 94% supported penalties for misbehaving monks, and 93% also supported punishing laypeople involved in sexual misconduct with monks.
The Star
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Doctor testifies former Thai PM Thaksin's condition not critical, prison didn't follow up
BANGKOK: The Supreme Court on Friday (July 18) heard testimonies from six Police General Hospital doctors in the '14th floor case'. A doctor confirmed that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's condition was not critical, with conflicting statements on surgery. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders heard the fifth round of witness testimonies in the case brought against Thaksin. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) regarding Thaksin's transfer from prison to receive medical treatment at Police General Hospital on the first night of his incarceration. Friday's proceedings focused on the testimonies of six witnesses, including hospital directors and the medical team responsible for treating Thaksin between Aug 23, 2023, and Feb 17, 2024. The court also reviewed relevant medical records, treatment logs, and Thaksin's overseas medical history provided by his legal team. The six witnesses were: 1) Pol Lt Gen Soponrat Singhajaru, Assistant Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police 2) Pol Lt Gen Dr Taweesilp Wetchavitarn, Chief Medical Officer 3) Pol Maj Gen Samart Muangsiri 4) Pol Maj Gen Supalerk Pattanaprichakul, Medical Officer 5) Pol Col Chana Chongchokdee, Medical Officer 6) Pol Lt Gen Suraphol Kesprayura According to reports from the court, three of the witnesses testified in the morning session, including the former chief doctor of the Police General Hospital, the current chief doctor, and the doctor who treated Thaksin during his midnight admission on August 23, 2023. The first witness, the former chief doctor of the hospital at the time of Thaksin's admission, testified about the process of admitting Thaksin as a patient and whether his treatment followed the hospital's established procedures, particularly in regard to placing him in a room on the 14th floor. The witness explained that the 14th floor was designated as a separate treatment area during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the use of all available patient rooms. However, the witness clarified that he was not involved in Thaksin's treatment and only received reports from the attending doctors. When asked if other prisoners from the correctional facility had been treated on the 14th floor, the witness could not provide an answer and promised to submit further details to the court. The court also reviewed the invoices related to Thaksin's treatment, which included 27 receipts. Of these, only 9 listed medication expenses. The second witness, the current chief doctor of Police General Hospital, who assumed the position in mid-October 2023, testified about the special room where Thaksin was placed. His account contradicted the previous witness's testimony, particularly regarding Thaksin's medical condition. The witness explained that despite Thaksin being sent from the Bangkok Remand Prison as a critical patient, he was not sent to the emergency room or ICU at Police General Hospital but was instead placed on the 14th floor as a result of prior coordination. Furthermore, the court questioned the medical history of Thaksin's condition, as outlined in the documents sent from the prison. While the prison documents indicated a need for neck surgery, which was not carried out due to Thaksin's refusal, the treatment at the hospital focused on other conditions, including a finger surgery and shoulder tendon repair, which had developed while he was being treated at Police General Hospital. The testimony of the medical professionals revealed contradictions, particularly regarding the finger surgery, and raised questions about the consistency of the diagnosis and treatment between the prison and the hospital's medical staff. The third witness, a doctor at Police General Hospital, testified about his role in treating Thaksin after his admission on Aug 23, 2023. The court spent an hour and a half questioning this witness, who explained that he was the first doctor to receive Thaksin as a patient. The court inquired in detail about the process of Thaksin's admission and treatment, from the moment he was brought in until his discharge. The doctor read from the medical records, revealing that some symptoms were not documented, prompting further questions from the court about whether Thaksin's condition was critical and if he could have been sent back to the Bangkok Remand Prison. The witness stated that some symptoms were not considered critical, and in his personal opinion, Thaksin could have been transferred back for treatment at the prison hospital. The witness also noted that, during his examination of Thaksin, the patient sometimes lay in bed and other times sat on a sofa in his room. The doctor testified that he had consulted a cardiologist regarding Thaksin's condition, and while surgery was recommended for other health issues, Thaksin declined the procedure. The court also questioned the witness about discrepancies in the medical bills, specifically regarding medication that was not listed in the receipts. Additionally, the court sought clarification on the medical certificate issued for extending Thaksin's hospital stay for 120 days. Furthermore, the court asked whether prison officers had inquired about Thaksin's health, to which the doctor responded that no inquiries had been made. Regarding security, the doctor confirmed that guards were present both inside and outside the room, and before each examination, the doctor's phone was confiscated. The witness maintained that he had provided care according to medical ethics and stated that he was unaware of the regulations concerning the transfer or return of prisoners to the prison hospital. When asked about the legal considerations and his responsibility for patient care, the witness responded, "I only thought about being a doctor treating a patient; I never thought I would end up in court." Throughout his testimony, the witness appeared visibly stressed, requesting paper and pen to write down the court's questions. At times, he placed his hands in a prayer-like gesture while answering the court's queries. At the end of the session, the court requested that the witness provide additional documents: 1) information regarding other prisoners treated on the 14th floor of Police General Hospital, and 2) the medical records related to Thaksin's treatment. Before entering the courtroom to attend the hearings in the case, former Democrat MP Chanchai Israsenarak presented receipts for Thaksin's treatment at Police General Hospital on the 14th floor to reporters. The receipts included a total of 26 items from September 4, 2023, to February 19, 2024, amounting to 2,475,276 baht. He explained that police authorities had ordered the Police General Hospital to report on the nature of Thaksin's treatment and the costs incurred for his care. Thaksin was transferred from the Bangkok Remand Prison to Police General Hospital on August 23, 2023, but the first payment was recorded on September 4, 2023, which included a charge for nutritional support via IV at 150 Baht. Other charges included diagnostic fees, nursing services, and room costs, totalling approximately 140,000 Baht, but there were no charges for medication, despite claims of a critical illness. Chanchai emphasised that these receipts were not medical records and could be disclosed publicly. Upon examining the receipts, he pointed out that there were no charges for medications and that a February 19, 2024, receipt included costs for prosthetics and treatment equipment, totalling 11,461 baht, and non-medication medical supplies worth 47,324 baht, in addition to room and food charges of 57,350 baht. He noted that Thaksin was able to walk around freely just seven days after these treatments. He further stated that the issue was not about special laws but about determining whether Thaksin's sentence was enforced properly. He confirmed that the court needed to investigate thoroughly to ensure fairness for all parties involved, adding that the process was transparent and not intended to target anyone. He also emphasised that he obtained the documents and receipts legally and would submit all relevant information to the court on July 25, 2025, to support the case against Thaksin. 'If he's not satisfied, let him sue me,' Chanchai said. 'I'm ready to go to court with him again, and I'll drag out any confidential documents to expose the truth. If he's really confident, let him come forward, but let the truth come out in court so that peace can return to the country. I'm not doing this for politics; I'm no longer involved in politics,' Chanchai added. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Suspended PM Paetongtarn seeks more time to file defence
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has asked the Constitutional Court for more time to file a defence statement in the ethics case that could lead to her dismissal, an aide said on Tuesday. The 15-day period for filing a statement expires on Thursday. The court has not yet responded to the request or specified how much more time it would give, said Prommin Lertsuridej, secretary-general to the Prime Minister's Office. 'We've requested an extension, but by how long is up to the court,' Prommin said. 'It's within our rights to do so, as we couldn't prepare the statement in time.' The court suspended Ms Paetongtarn from prime ministerial duties on July 1. It acted after a group of 36 senators submitted a petition accusing her of violating ethical standards over her remarks in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. The youngest daughter of billionaire and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Paetongtarn faces disqualification and removal from office if the court finds her guilty. The court case is the biggest threat yet to Ms Paetongtarn's nascent political career and her less than year-old government. She came to power in August last year after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was ousted in a similar ethics-related case over the appointment of a cabinet minister with a criminal record. Ms Paetongtarn's coalition government was plunged into a crisis when Hun Sen leaked the recording of his June 15 conversation with her. Critics said she appeared to be siding with 'uncle' Hun Sen and criticising the army while discussing solutions to a dispute with Cambodia. Conservative-leaning activists and opponents of the government subsequently staged the biggest anti-government protest in years to demand her ouster. The suspended premier also faces a separate investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission over the same allegations. If the panel determines that there is sufficient evidence, it may formally charge Ms Paetongtarn and refer the case to the Supreme Court for adjudication.
