THAILAND SUPPORTS U.S. INDICTMENT IN JUTHAMAS

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000146 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION DEPT FOR L/LEI WILSON/JOHNSON, EAP/MLS FOR SMITH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KCOR KCRM TH SUBJECT: THAILAND SUPPORTS U.S. INDICTMENT IN JUTHAMAS BRIBERY-CORRUPTION CASE REF: STATE 04713 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Per reftel request, we notified officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA),the Office of the Attorney General (OAG),and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) January 17-18 regarding DOJ's intention to unseal an indictment against Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter, Jittisopa Siriwan, on January 20. None of the officials notified expressed concern over the decision to unseal the indictment; they expressed their appreciation for the prior notification and for U.S cooperation on this matter. The NACC commissioner indicated a Thai indictment of three-four Thai connected to the case would likely occur in several months. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) NACC Commissioner Medhi Krongkaew, who leads the Thai investigation into the case, expressed gratitude to DOJ attach January 17 for the advance notice. He also expressed a willingness to provide assistance to the U.S. "without hesitation." Medhi plans to travel to Los Angeles for the January 21 sentencing of U.S. film executives Gerald and Patricia Green and had submitted a letter to the U.S. court for the sentencing at the prosecutor's request. Medhi indicated that while the NACC was still processing evidence, it expects to initiate charges against three or four Thai, including Juthamas and her daughter, involved in the case within the next two months. ¶3. (SBU) OAG Director General of International Affairs Sirisak Tiyaphan told us January 17 that he was familiar with the case and expressed appreciation for the advance notice. Sirisak said he looked forward to working closely with the USG on this case and other cases. He expressed no concern regarding the unsealing of the indictment or a possible extradition request. ¶4. (SBU) MFA Director of the North America Division Kanchana Patarachoke thanked us January 18 for prior notification, noting that she would share the information with the MFA Department of Treaty and Legal Affairs, which would have the lead on this matter for the MFA. JOHN