Abhisit, private sector push for passage of laws
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Special House session urged to pave the way for exit from financial 'dark grey list'
The private sector and the opposition leader yesterday proposed that the government open a special session of the House of Representatives to pass anti-money-laundering laws urgently to ensure that Thailand moves off the international “dark grey list” next year.
After meeting with the Kingdom’s three most powerful private-sector organisations on commerce, industry and banking, Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his Democrat Party was concerned about economic growth and always supported laws that promote the country’s development.
He said the party supported the passage of laws combating money-laundering and terrorist funding out of concern for the country’s financial image.
“The current problem exists because of the government. It should call a special House debate on urgent issues rather than focusing on its plan for its hidden agenda,” said Abhisit, referring to the bills on national reconciliation.
He said it would be easier to pass other important laws, including legislation against money-laundering, if the government removed the causes of political conflict.
The next regular session of Parliament is set for August to move on all necessary issues, but Abhisit said legislation regarding money-laundering and terrorists should be dealt with quickly so it is passed before January, Abhisit said.
The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering, a global watchdog, will review its categorisation of each country’s financial status next February. Thailand has been categorised on the FATF’s “dark grey list” as being weak on money-transaction transparency.
The issue is creating problems for the business sector, its representatives say, and could soon cause problems for other business transactions.
Payungsak Chartsutipol, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), has called on the government and involved agencies to pass the bill urgently before the normal House session.
He said the smoothness of financial transactions was a key to business growth.
“Only seven months remain before the FATF revision. Thailand should urgently pass the bill to show the country is concerned about the money-laundering issue,” Payungsak said.
FTI vice chairman Thanit Sorat said the government should give priority to the country’s benefit rather than that of an individual person. He said the government and opposition parties and all concerned sectors must prioritise promoting the growth of the Kingdom by urgently considering the bills related to economic support.
Phongsak Assakul, chairman to the Board of Trade of Thailand and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the country’s position on the dark-grey list would continue to harm its trading competency.
He said Thai businesses would face high operating costs and wasted time because of the problem.
Meanwhile, to promote the closer cooperation of private enterprises, Thailand will host the Asian Business Summit on July 12-13, to which Myanmar will be invited for the first time. The summit will gather business leaders from 14 countries. It will discuss global and regional economic growth and forward its conclusions to the government of each participating country and other world forums.
