Sanoh faces Alpine lawsuit

NACC says he abused his authority over sale

5/02/2010

Bangkok Post

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has voted unanimously to seek the prosecution of Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong over his role in the Alpine Golf Club land acquisition scandal.

Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong disputes the claim he acquired the land now housing the Alpine golf course illegally in parliament yesterday. He denied he abused his authority to acquire the land originally donated to a temple. APICHIT JINAKUL

NACC member and spokesman Klanarong Chanthik yesterday said the commission found Mr Sanoh had abused his authority as deputy interior minister when he was overseeing the case 20 years ago.
It found Nuem Chamnanchartsakda, the original owner of the land in Pathum Thani on which the golf course and housing estate is built, had willed the 732 rai to Wat Thammikaram in Prachuap Khiri Khan in 1971.
The abbot then sought to have the land ownership transferred to the temple so it could make use of the land.
However, Mr Klanarong said Mr Sanoh, who was deputy interior minister supervising the Land Department on Feb 13, 1990, rejected the abbot's request. This enabled Alpine Real Estate Co and Alpine Golf & Sports Club Co to buy the land from the foundation which had been assigned to manage the estate.
The NACC found Mr Sanoh's wife, Uraiwan Thienthong, held 300,000 shares worth 30 million baht in the two companies and his younger brother, Witthaya Thienthong, and his close associate, Chucheep Harnsawat, both held 150,000 shares worth 15 million baht as of Jan 23, 1990.

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