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Bangkok post - Jan
06, 2000
POLITICS Prapat denies links with border casinoTemsak Traisophon
Deputy Interior Minister Prapat Pothasuthon has
denied his alleged involvement in the operation of a casino in the Golden
Triangle in Burma, as reported by some newspapers. However, he admitted that his elder brother, Prasit, is a shareholder of the
company which runs thecasino. Mr Prapat said he had nothing to do with the casino, which is opposite Chiang
Saen district of ChiangRai. "I have no right to interfere with my elder brother's business. He told me
that preparations for the construction (of the casino) were completed several
years ago, but there was no news about it until he was to run for the Senate. He
is upset. "I myself have rarely gone up to Chiang Rai. In the past several years I have
been there only for a brief official visit, but never proceeded to Chiang Saen.
"I insist on my sincerity. I don't know if my brother's running for the Senate
had anything to do with it. Let's wait and see if he is elected," the Chart Thai
MP said. Mr Prapat said he had no conflict with Samphan Lertnuwat, a New Aspiration MP
for Chiang Rai, who was thought to have spread rumours about a cabinet
memberhaving an ownership interest in the
casino. |