Authorities urged to delve into Newin-woven cronyism In Buriram

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

THE AUTHORITIES were today (Nov.12) encouraged to delve into allegations that de facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob had developed cronyism to involve his brother/former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob and an outstanding construction contractor based in their home province of Buriram with some 13 billion baht at stake.

Former Democrat MP Sirichok Sopa posted on his Facebook page to advise the authorities launch investigation into the alleged nepotism which had been quietly manipulated by the de facto Bhumjaithai boss to have thrived to the extent that the contractor, namely Buriram Panasit Co., had contentiously landed some 13 billion baht projects including those for the construction of roads amounting to 6.9 billion baht awarded by the Department of Highways and 1.4 billion baht granted by the Department of Rural Roads, both being government agencies directly responsive to the Ministry of Transport of which Newin’s brother Saksayam was taking charge over the past several years.

Remarkably, the ex-Democrat MP alleged, the owner of the Buriram Panasit contractor firm, namely Danaisiri Charnvitayarom, was also known as director of Chang International Circuit, the motorsport racing ground founded by the de facto Bhumjaithai boss, in the lower-northeastern province.

Besides, Saksayam had been suspected of having some veiled interest in Buri Charoen Construction Ltd. Part. based in his home lower-northeastern province and earlier charged with asset concealment.

Sirichok has recently held Digital Economy & Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob accountable for last year’s ironic phenomenon in which Bhumjaithai MP Suchada Zhang Tansap, spouse of serial entrepreneur-turned-money-laundering suspect Taiyang Zhang, had performed as secretary to Newin’s son whilst the authorities were cracking down on gambling activities in Thailand where they all are ultimately illegal.

The digital economy & society minister who concurrently acts as secretary-general of the Bhumjaithai, currently core of the coalition government, had been earlier offered 40 million baht in monthly payoff in exchange for the digital economy & society minister to not quell certain online casinos where a number of gamblers in this country may have placed bets.

Nevertheless, the first-time Bhumjaithai MP who excused that Taiyang, an Australian national of Chinese descent, had already sold off his paltry share in the Curacao-registered online casino, namely Shuffle, would probably be charged with concealing her family’s assets in relation to her spouse’s suspected, transnational money-laundering scam.

The 40 million baht monthly kickback surreptitiously offered in vain to Chaichanok had allegedly involved Suriya Sukcharoenkraisri, son of oil and casino tycoon Somboon “Sia Tue” Sukcharoenkraisri, who had reportedly opened casinos in Cambodia including one which reportedly accommodated UFABET, a major online casino with access provided for gamblers in Thailand.

The digital economy & society minister is being targeted by the People’s-led opposition bloc among 18 Bhumjaithai members of cabinet including Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in censure debate scheduled from Dec.7 until Dec.10 and to be followed by no-confidence votes on Dec.11.

CAPTIONS:

Top and Front Page: Buriram Panasit Co. owner Danaisiri Charnvitayarom. Photo – Naewna

First insert: De facto Bhumjaithai boss Newin Chidchob, centre. Photo – Amarin TV

Second insert: Former transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. Photo – PPTVHD36

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