Conflict of Interest

Thailand News: Still on the issue of conflict of interest....

Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of former Thailand prime minister, Thaksin is facing a corruption case involving her questionable land purchase. Thaksin and Pojaman Shinawatra are accused of violating Article 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, according to which government officials, including prime ministers, and their spouses are prohibited from entering into or having interests in contracts with state agencies under their supervision.

Background: The investigation is focused on a plot of land on Ratchadapisek Road that Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra bought not long after her husband came to power. The land’s history can be traced back 10 years to three former premiers, Banharn Silapaarcha, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Chuan Leekpai.

This plot of land was bought by the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) and later became the land bank of Thai Asset Management Corp during the Banharn government. It was put up for auction during the Chavalit and Chuan governments and then sold to Pojaman during the Thaksin administration in 2003.

Thaksin's written permission as a spouse, allowing Pojaman to enter into the land deal, is being used as evidence in the case. She bought the land for Bt772 million. Following pressure from the Assets Examination Committee, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Financial Sector Restructuring Authority (FRA) have agreed to file a legal complaint over Pojaman’s purchase.