Graft probe centres on two cabinet ministers

The fate of two ministers hinges on the National Anti-Corruption Commission after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday he might reshuffle his month-old cabinet.

Mr Abhisit said he would consider the anti-graft panel's decision and the ministers' explanations after his return from an overseas trip.

Mr Abhisit left last night for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. His position would be clear days after his return to Bangkok on Sunday, he said.

The prime minister did not name the ministers who are his targets, but it was the first time he has raised the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle.

Two ministers under fire are Social Development and Human Security Minister Witoon Nambutr from the Democrat party and Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat from the Bhumjaithai party.

Mr Witoon, an Ubon Ratchathani MP, is in trouble after cans of rotten fish were handed out as relief supplies to flood victims in the South.

Mr Witoon said he had sent his case to the NACC himself to prove he was not abusing his authority.

Earlier, the Puea Thai party accused him of corruption in the relief supply operation.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday said the prime minister had told Mr Witoon to offer an explanation for the rotten canned fish saga. He wanted to hear it after his return from Switzerland.

Democrat list MP and party adviser Suthas Ngernmuen denied claims he was responsible for exposing the alleged irregularities in the distribution of relief supply bags containing the rotten canned fish in an effort to unseat Mr Witoon as minister.

Mr Suthas suspects the opposition is trying to drive a wedge between the Democrats.

Mr Boonjong is facing scrutiny by the NACC after opposition Puea Thai spokesman Phrompong Nopparit and lawyer Karom Polthaklang asked the anti-graft body on Tuesday to investigate whether he had violated Article 157 of the Crimes Act and Article 266 of the constitution.

The charter forbids MPs from performing the duties of civil servants such as handing out aid money to senior citizens, which is supposed to be carried out by the provincial governor.

The complaint follows media reports that Mr Boonjong handed out his name card to villagers while he and his wife Kanchana were distributing blankets at their home in tambon Dan Kwien in Chok Chai district in Nakhon Ratchasima last weekend .

The couple also handed out 500-baht notes to 200 people along with his name card.

"I stick by the nine guidelines for considering a reshuffle which I laid down to the cabinet members [upon taking office]," said Mr Abhisit.

"I will examine the issue thoroughly and I confirm that the government is open to scrutiny," Mr Abhisit said.

One of the requirements is all cabinet members must be clean as corruption and abuse of power could undermine political stability, he said on Dec 23, the first time his cabinet met.

Yesterday, Mr Phrompong and Mr Karom also took Mr Boonjong's case to the Election Commission.

They asked the commission to look into whether Mr Boonjong had also breached Article 22 of the Political Parties Act.

Mr Karom alleged Mr Boonjong also distributed application forms for the Bhumjaithai party to villagers while handing the money and name cards.

Article 22 prohibits parties and their members from offering money or benefits to convince people to apply for party membership. The penalty is one month in jail, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.

Mr Karom accused Mr Boonjong of breaking the law by trying to recruit party members by handing out money.

A former member of the now-dissolved People Power party, Mr Boonjong said he would not take an executive post when the party holds its general assembly on Feb 14 to select its executive board.

He wanted to make sure the party does not face possible dissolution in the event his case was taken to the Constitution Court.

Previously, election commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham said Mr Boonjong's case would probably lead to the party's dissolution.

Transport Minister Sopon Zarum, a Bhumjaithai MP for Buri Ram, was confident Mr Boonjong did nothing wrong and could explain himself.

Election commissioner Somchai Juengprasert said his views on the matter differed from those of other EC members.

He said the case is beyond the jurisdiction of the poll agency, which deals mainly with investigations of poll fraud.

The case should be handled by the NACC or the House, Mr Somchai said.

The opposition accused Mr Boonjong of handing out the money to get support from voters ahead of the next general election. Mr Somchai said local election laws prohibit MPs from offering money or benefits to voters 60 days before a royal decree for a local election is announced. No such provision exists in regards to the general election.