Govt probes fund flows

Abhisit denies trying to frame UDD, Thaksin: Published: 11/02/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
The government is investigating reports of unexplained flows of money from abroad amid suspicions it could be used to stir up violence before the Feb 26 verdict in the Thaksin assets case.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday said the government "has received reports [about irregular flows of funds from overseas] and we are verifying them".

The prime minister said the flow of money appeared to confirm his earlier prediction that political activity this month would intensify.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is scheduled to hand down its ruling on Feb 26 on whether to confiscate 76 billion baht in assets from Thaksin Shinawatra which the prosecution argues he accrued illegally while prime minister from 2001 to 2006.

Mr Abhisit denied the reports of the fund movements were fabricated to undermine the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

"There is no reason to frame anyone," he said.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the government was obliged under the national security law to investigate any irregular flows of funds from overseas.

He said the reports of money coming from such places as the Middle East and elsewhere in Asia came from several sources, including members of the Senate.

"Unusual amounts of funds have been transferred into the country since late last year,"' Mr Panitan said. "Maybe it is part of the economic recovery, but we have to verify the sources and the purposes of these funds."

Mr Panitan said the government had also received reports of cash being smuggled late last year across the southern and eastern borders.

However, he said the government was not making accusations against any particular group.

The Department of Special Investigation is looking into the fund flows.

"The DSI has the authority to investigate. So far, it is not clear where the money has gone," DSI chief Tharit Pengdit said yesterday.

Thaksin has criticised the government for linking the alleged money transfers to the red shirts.

"Why hasn't the government made any arrests and shown the public its evidence?" Thaksin wrote in a Twitter message. "Don't discredit others.

"In the [last] election it even claimed some 10 billion baht was smuggled in through Suvarnabhumi airport."

Chawengsak Thongsaluay, a close aide to Puea Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, yesterday denied rumours Gen Chavalit had received money from abroad to fund the red shirt movement.

The allegations were also denied by red shirt leaders including Jatuporn Prompan and Puea Thai Party MP Apinan Wiriyachai, who challenged the government to produce evidence of any financial links between Thaksin and the red shirt bosses.

A United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship source said Thaksin wanted to see a major rally held before Feb 26 and had told MPs to help mobilise people to join the demonstration.

The Internal Security Operations Command yesterday said it was on the alert for any signs of violence ahead of the court ruling. source from:http://bangkokpost.com/news/local/32670/govt-probes-fund-flows