Anchalee slams “political games’

PHUKET: Phuket Democrat MP Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr today emphatically denied that she has any SorPorKor 4-01 land and branded the current land abuse investigation as being motivated purely by politics. At a press conference at her office, K. Anchalee singled out Newin Chidchob, Deputy Agriculture Minister, as being directly responsible for creating problems by misleading the press and the public by making confusing statements in order to reap political benefits. “I decided that I should go public to clear up the confusion that has been created. I want to make it very clear that I have no SorPorKor land. The land in question belongs to the family of my husband, Tossaporn Thepabutr, and was in their possession long before the SorPorKor system existed.” She said that despite the impression that K. Newin had given that the Thai Rak Thai party was the only one to try to solve the SorPorKor problem, the former Democrat government of Chuan Leekpai had made great efforts to do so. “The case of my husband’s family land is still in the courts, so I can’t comment on that because it is up to the legal system to make the decision. But I should point out that the lower courts have already thrown out this case.” She said that her husband’s family had occupied the disputed land since 1959, long before it was named Khao Nak Forest Reserve, in 1973. “K. Newin has complained that the charges against my husband’s family and other people failed because the prosecutors or the police did a poor job. I think K. Newin does not respect our judicial process,” K Anchalee added. “I would like to say that Phuket people are prepared to be investigated by this government, but please let’s make sure that the investigation is transparent and fair. Don’t rush to accuse people and especially, don’t use double standards. “When you have checked in Phuket you should also check other provinces because Phuket people are tax payers and Thais, just like the people in other provinces. She added, “If you want to play political games, don’t play with the dignity of the people of Phuket.” The investigation, she pointed out, had already adversely affected the confidence of foreign investors. “They are not sure whether the government will issue a land document to them one day, and then want to take it back the next day.”