🎧 Listen to “Golf Club Shares Latest Legal Headache for PM”
Political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has raised concerns regarding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s compliance with legal requirements after she allegedly failed to divest her shares in a golf club promptly. This situation has sparked a series of petitions questioning her position and ethics.
Key Takeaways
- Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has filed a complaint with the Election Commission regarding PM Paetongtarn’s shareholding in Alpine Golf and Sports Club.
- The Prime Minister held a 30% stake in the club until September 3, 2024, two weeks after her election.
- This incident adds to a growing list of legal challenges faced by the Pheu Thai Party and its leader.
Background of the Controversy
Ruangkrai’s petition highlights a legal stipulation that prohibits ministers from holding more than five percent of shares in a company to prevent corruption. Paetongtarn was elected as Prime Minister on August 16, 2024, and received royal endorsement on August 18. However, she did not divest her shares in Alpine Golf until September 3, raising questions about her adherence to the law.
The Share Transfer
Following the legal concerns, Paetongtarn transferred her shares to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra. Previously, she and her siblings each held a 30% stake in the company, while their mother owned 10%. This transfer has not alleviated the scrutiny surrounding her actions, as Ruangkrai has urged the Election Commission to expedite their investigation.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
This latest filing marks the 13th petition against the Pheu Thai Party and Paetongtarn, with six of those initiated by Ruangkrai himself. The complaints primarily allege corruption and ethical violations related to various decisions made by the Prime Minister and her party.
Land Controversy Involving Alpine Golf
The Alpine Golf and Sports Club is not only under scrutiny for Paetongtarn’s shareholding but also for its controversial land holdings in Pathum Thani province. The land in question was originally donated to a temple in 1971 but was later sold to Alpine Golf and Sports Club under questionable circumstances.
In 2017, former Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit was sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of authority related to this land sale. The National Anti-Corruption Commission found that he had improperly canceled a Department of Land order that revoked the sale of 732 rai of monastic land to Alpine Golf and Sports Club in 2002.
Conclusion
The unfolding legal issues surrounding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the Alpine Golf and Sports Club highlight ongoing concerns about ethics and governance in Thai politics. As investigations proceed, the implications for the Prime Minister and her party could be significant, potentially affecting their political future and public trust.
Sources
- Bangkok Post – Golf club shares latest legal headache for PM, Bangkok Post.
Related posts
