Organization: Central Michigan University
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.seasia-l
Date:         Sat, 21 Nov 1992 08:25:08 EST
From:         Elliott Parker <3ZLUFUR@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU>
Subject:      TH: Marut denies postponing debate

=======================  Forwarded  Message  ===========================
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 92 21:13:24+0700
From: Kamol Hengkietisak <kamol>
Subject: Bangkok Post Nov 21: Marut denies postponing debate


HOUSE Speaker Marut Bunnag yesterday denied he was trying to buy
time for the Government by delaying a House debate on an
Opposition motion on stock manipulation.

The motion, on the agenda after three defence bills, will come up
for debate next week, the House Speaker said.

Most of the House meeting on Thursday was taken up by a debate on
the water shortage which started the day before.

Deputy House Speaker Wan Mohammad Nor Matha, filling in for the
House Speaker closed the meeting after the House briefly debated
and passed a bill, the second item on the agenda.

Mr Marut said he would have moved the motion on share price
manipulation ahead if the Opposition had asked.

Chart Pattana MP Suchart Tancharoen, who co-sponsored the motion,
claimed he had received phone threats following the plunge of the
SET index.

People apparently think the motion caused the fall, he said, but
his motion only seeks the formation of a committee to study stock
market problems.

A debate on the issue, according to the Opposition, would boost
the stock market, not destroy it, because it would force the
Government to explain measures to help the SET.

Mr Suchart alleged that the Government, with the House Speaker's
help, had blocked the Opposition's motion.

Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmarnhemin should resign for mishandling
the problem and causing the collapse of the stock market and the
country's economy, he said.

Meanwhile Economic Crime Suppression police have arrested two more
people suspected of collaborating with big-time stock player Song
Wacharasriroj in manipulating the stock market.

Miss Busakorn Wacharasriroj and Miss Pilaikorn Hattakham were
taken to the Economic Crime Suppression Division headquarters for
questioning yesterday afternoon by investigators who searched Mr
Song's office on the second floor of Ratchathewi Tower on Phraya
Thai Rd.

The Securities and Exchange Commission alleges that Song and 10
associates manipulated the shares of the Bangkok Bank of Commerce
between October 2 and 29 -- a violation of the Securities Exchange
of Thailand and the law.

Division Commander Vatin Khamsongsri told reporters that
investigators will question the 10 accused before charges are
filed against them.

He also said the investigation still involves only Song and his
associates.

Central Investigation Bureau chief Lt-Gen Thanu Homhuan said
investigators will try to speed up their probe of Song and his
associates.

He said Deputy Police Department chief Pong-amat Amatayakul would
take charge of the case.

Investigators will be invited to meet on Monday to report on the
progress of the investigation and to determine whether they have
enough evidence to issue arrest warrants.

He said Song has denied all the charges brought against him by the
SEC and vowed to testify only in court.

Pol Maj-Gen Vatin said yesterday the SEC was empowered to order
the seizure of assets of the suspects if it had reason to believe
that the wealth was obtained from stock manipulation.

The SEC could ask the Bank of Thailand to help secure information
about the suspects' bank accounts if necessary, he said.