Pm Slams Corrupt Politicians

[george]

PM slams corrupt politicians

BANGKOK: Politicians are responsible for most of the corruption involving state enterprises, the prime minister said yesterday.

Thaksin Shinwatra's comments came after the recent discovery of thousands of teak logs in a lake in Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district.

He yesterday promised an "overhaul" in the Forest Industry Organisation (FIO) following the latest scandal.

"We have to admit that corruption in state enterprises has always been influenced by politicians. I'll look into this matter and try to solve the problem," he said.

Thaksin said irregularities in state enterprises were a major reason he had suggested they sell shares on the stock exchange. Forcing them to abide by the rules of corporate governance would boost transparency and create a system of checks-and-balances.

Authorities said about 100,000 logs had been illegally stored in the man-made lake, which measures about 20 rai and is three metres deep, adding that it would take about two weeks to remove them.

But FIO deputy director Prasert Tririya claimed yesterday that all of the logs retrieved so far had originated from FIO plantations and that none were illegal.

This counters comments made shortly after the raid last week by Manit Suthaporn, Special Investigation Bureau caretaker chief, that some of the logs were from the Salween national forest and could be linked to a smuggling ring.

The FIO had insisted that the logs were bought legally from one of its plantations, but police remained suspicious that some of them were smuggled from Salween forest.

The logs were the property of Archa Land Co, a subsidiary of a company belonging to a senior politician in Samut Prakan.

No charges have been filed, but Archa Land general manager Kritphet Sriboonruang said yesterday he was prepared to defend himself if any charges were filed against the company.

Meanwhile, a source close to Vatana Asavahame, chief adviser to the Rassadorn Party, dismissed speculation linking the company to the Samut Prakan-based veteran politician. The source said the company did not belong to Vatana and that the politician had no interest in the timber trade.

-- 2003-12-05

[Guest IT Manager]

Somewhere on this forum, someone will know if there is a benefit derived from sinking teak in a lake for years, or even months.

Is this where the expression "waterlogged" comes from?

Just for my information.

[Thetyim]

I will take a guess at that one for you .

Fresh teak is soft and easy to carve/cut

Aged teak is hardened.

Store it under water and it will remain soft.

Just a guess.