Pheu Thai seeks DSI probe into Bt16 bn transfer claim
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Pheu Thai Party spokesman Promphong Nopparit yesterday lodged a petition with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), demanding it examine the Anti-Corruption Network's allegation that an unnamed politician transferred Bt16 billion to Hong Kong.
Promphong said ACN’s leader, Mongkolkit Suksinthara-nond, was not able to provide any evidence to prove the allegation, which he believes is only being floated to create trouble and discredit the government.
He added that both anti-money laundering and anti-corruption bodies had already made it clear that no such money transfers had taken place.
Promphong went on to say that the DSI should investigate this matter and if no irregularity is found, then it should scrutinise the network and Mongkolkit himself.
Opposition Democrat Party MP Ong-art Klampaipoon and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Justice Ministry Dussadee Arayawut should also be investigated as they backed Mongkolkit when he started floating the story, he said.
Meanwhile, DSI chief Tarit Pengdith said he would invite all parties who claim to know about this matter to clarify themselves, adding that this story had been talked about for more than a week now without any clear evidence.
Mongkolkit, in his position as secretary-general of ACN, testified in front of the Senate’s subcommittee on good governance saying that he had obtained information from Hong Kong’s Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC), but could not disclose much because the information was secret.
Senator Khamnoon Sitthi-samarn grilled Mongkolkit about his meeting with the ICAC in Hong Kong and claims that he worked for a national anti-corruption body, but Mongkolkit was unable to answer any questions.
After testifying, Mongkolkit and his team asked the Senate subcommittee to provide financial support for his team to continue investigating this matter. He also submitted a list of names, including gold tradesmen and people in the tourism industry, saying that these individuals had knowledge about the alleged money transfer.
Meanwhile, Mongkolkit’s role and motivation for floating this controversy has come under suspicion.
He first made the headlines when he led some 50 students to protest against the government, demanding that they get admitted to the Bodindecha Secondary School.
He also runs the TAE Mart group, which provides special teachers for schools and tuition outlets.
A source said Mongkolkit had good connections with the yellow-shirted People’s Alliance for Democracy, and was seen participating in street protests against then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Political hardliners such Prasong Soonsiri and Kittisak Ratprasert are also said to be former advisers to Mongkolkit’s group.
Mongkolkit is also politically linked to the Matchimathipathai and Pracharat parties and once ran for a Bangkok constituency election but failed.
