Central bank to sue Pojaman to rescind land-sale registration

       The Bank of Thailand says it will take legal action against Pojaman na Promphet, ex-wife of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to rescind registration of her controversial 2003 land purchase from the BOT's rescue fund.
       Pojaman recently changed her surname from Damapong to her mother's maiden nave of na Pomphet.
       The lawsuit would be aimed at rescinding the registration of 33 rai of land that Pojaman bought for Bt772 million from the central bank's Financial Institutions Development Fund(FIDF).
       BOT Governor Tarisa Watanagase yesterday said her agency, which was not experienced in legal matters, would follow the recommendation of the chief state attorney that legal action be taken against Pojaman on this issue.
       "We'll follow the state attorney's advice, because we're not experts on the law. My understanding is the chief state attorney has suggest taking legal action," Tarisa said.
       In 2003, Pojaman bought four plost on Ratchadaphisek Road from the FIDF with a winning bid of Bt772 million. After Thaksin was overthrown in a military coup on September 19, 2006, the FIDF and the assets Examination Committee sought to overturn the sale. They cited an alleged violation of Section 100 of the National Counter Corruption Act, which bars government officials and their spouses from entering into or holding interests in contracts with state agencies under their authorisation.
       FIDF Management Group assistant governor Tongurai Limpiti said the fund had earlier submitted a letter to the chief state attorney asking how to proceed with the case after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders affirmed Thaksin and Pojaman did violate Section 100, thus nullifying the land sale.
       The chief state attorney replied to the FIDF suggesting the central bank sue Pojaman, in order to rescind registration of the sale.
       Earlier, the FIDF officially informed Pojaman she must return ownership of the land to the state since the land-sale contract was nullified and said it would gradually return the Bt772 million to Pojaman.
       However, Pojaman said she wanted interest to be paid to compensate her for the loss of opportunity to invest her money elsewhere.