Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged with reporters at Government House on Tuesday amidst a flurry of questions and flashing cameras. The country’s political landscape was once again under the spotlight as the prolific activist, Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, raised a pivotal issue that could shake the foundations of the current administration. According to Mr. Ruangkrai, Ms. Paetongtarn should be ousted from her position for delaying the divestment of her shares in a well-known golf club until two weeks after assuming office.
Addressing the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday, Mr. Ruangkrai cited the law stating that a minister should not control more than a five percent stake in any company to ward off potential corruption. But Ms. Paetongtarn had a hefty 30% stake in Alpine Golf and Sports Club, only parting with the shares on September 3. She was elected prime minister by parliament on August 16 and received formal endorsement from His Majesty the King on August 18.
In a bid to comply with the law, Ms. Paetongtarn transferred her shares to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra. Before this transfer, Ms. Paetongtarn and her two siblings each held a 30% stake in the company, with their mother holding 10%. Mr. Ruangkrai, echoing a sentiment shared by many critics, entreated the EC to expedite their investigation. He also vowed to lodge a similar complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission, ramping up the pressure on the premier.
This latest filing marks the 13th known petition against the Pheu Thai Party and/or Ms. Paetongtarn, with Mr. Ruangkrai behind six of them. The petitions consistently accuse the premier or her party of corruption or ethical breaches, casting a long shadow over their political maneuvers.
The Alpine Golf and Sports Club, aside from its association with the Shinawatra family, has a history laced with controversy due to its land holdings in Pathum Thani province. The origin story of the land in Klong Luang district dates back to 1971 when it was donated by a widow, Noem Chamnanchartsakda, to Wat Dhammamikaramvoraviharn, a temple located in Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Upon Noem’s passing, the Mahamongkut Ratchawittayalai Foundation was entrusted as the executor of her estate. However, the foundation ventured to sell the land to Alpine Real Estate and Alpine Golf and Sports Club. It didn’t take long for legal tides to turn. The Council of State, acting as the government’s legal advisory body, later determined the sale was unlawful, citing the site as monastic land.
This land saga saw a dramatic turn in 2017 when former Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit was sentenced to two years in prison for abusing his authority associated with the sale of the monastic land. The National Anti-Corruption Commission laid bare that Yongyuth had improperly annulled a Department of Land order that invalidated the sale of 732 rai of monastic land belonging to Wat Thammikaram to Alpine Real Estate Co and Alpine Golf & Sports Club back in 2002.
Yongyuth’s legal woes didn’t end there. He appealed, but the verdict was upheld, and he started his prison sentence in February 2020. However, due to health reasons, he was released in September 2020 under the condition that he wear an electronic monitoring bracelet until his sentence’s completion.
As events continue to unfold, the spotlight remains firmly on Ms. Paetongtarn and her party. The political intrigue surrounding the prime minister, enriched by a mix of contentious land deals and familial ties, ensures that this story will remain a focal point in the realm of Thai politics. In the relentless world of political drama, the stakes are ever high, and the players must tread cautiously or risk being ensnared by the past.
How can someone in her position not know the basics of divesting shares before taking office? It’s her job to know these things!
It’s definitely a major oversight, but maybe there’s more to this story than we know. Such things often have legal complexities.
Agreed. But ignorance can’t be an excuse. If she’s leading the country, she should know the rules that govern her position.
Totally agree. It’s about ethics and setting an example. How can we trust leaders who can’t follow the law themselves?
I think the timing of the share transfer seems fishy. Why wait until after taking office? It just doesn’t add up.
Exactly, Sarah! It screams of an attempt to cover something up. Maybe she knew transferring it beforehand would have drawn too much attention.
Or perhaps she underestimated the swift action of her political opponents. Politics is a chess game, after all.
Ruangkrai is just making noise for political gain. This is the 13th petition; it’s getting ridiculous!
I disagree. Even if some petitions are baseless, they keep the politicians on their toes. Ruangkrai is doing the job the opposition is supposed to do.
Exactly, it’s called accountability. Without people like Ruangkrai, who would monitor those in power?
There’s a fine line between holding someone accountable and hounding them. This seems excessive to me.
Paetongtarn is just a puppet in this family saga. The whole Shinawatra clan is embroiled in controversy.
While the family is controversial, we shouldn’t dismiss her individual abilities. Let’s judge her on her own actions.
True, but history shows that corruption runs deep in their family. Can she really be trusted to be different?
This whole situation with Alpine Golf and Sports Club is shady. The land ownership issues alone are a red flag!
It’s so typical. Wealthy families using their influence to acquire properties, often unlawfully. How many more of these stories are out there?
Yongyuth went to prison for a reason. The place is tainted by its past, no doubt.
Some people are just waiting for her to trip up because she’s a woman and part of the Shinawatra family.
I agree, there’s definitely some gender bias at play. Would the media and opposition be as harsh if she were a man?
Gender might play a role, but we can’t ignore the political and ethical issues just because of that.
People seem to forget that the law is the law. If she broke it, she should face the consequences. Period.
Why is this news so obsessed with the Shinawatra family? Aren’t there more pressing issues in Thailand?
It’s because they have such a significant influence on the political landscape. Their actions ripple through the entire country.
Shouldn’t we wait for the full investigation before jumping to conclusions? Media trials do more harm than good.
True, Jordan. Jumping to conclusions can ruin reputations unfairly. We need to let the process play out.
Thai politics never fails to deliver the drama. It’s like one long-running soap opera!
The country needs stability, not endless political battles and corruption scandals.
She is following in the footsteps of her relatives… mismanagement and corruption seem to run in the family.
It’s not fair to blame her for her family’s actions. She’s an individual and should be judged on her own merit.
But she should have anticipated the scrutiny given her family background. It’s naive to think she’d escape it.