The Pheu Thai Party is demanding Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon be impeached and face criminal action after admitting having received the luxury watches he was seen wearing from other people.
The NACC's investigation into whether Gen Prawit owned the luxury watches is just a distraction from the real issue, Phumtham Wechayachai, acting secretary-general of Pheu Thai, said on Wednesday.
"Section 103 of the NACC law sets criteria prohibiting government officials from accepting assets or benefits from other people," he said.
The excuse that Gen Prawit's friend lent him the watches and they had already been returned was tantamount to acknowledging he accepted a benefit from someone else "which is prohibited by Section 103 because a government official wore and possessed luxury watches for free, without using money from taxpayers to buy them", Mr Phumtham said.
Offenders were liable to a prison term of up to three years and Gen Prawit should be viewed as being corrupt and face impeachment and criminal action, the key Pheu Thai figure said.
"The law clearly prohibits it. Gen Prawit did not have to pay for the watches he liked to wear because some people presented them to him," Mr Phumtham said. "Is this the acceptance of benefits? If not, can other ministers borrow cars, houses or planes?"
NACC secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said the commission's investigation was likely to extend into next month because Gen Prawit still had to explain additional controversial watches seen on his wrist.
Besides, the NACC had yet to hear from an outsider Gen Prawit mentioned as being linked to a watch, and was still waiting for information from 13 watch dealers, Mr Worawit said.
He also revealed that NACC president Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit would withdraw from the final-stage investigation.
Pol Gen Watcharapol was a close aide to Gen Prawit's younger brother Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon when he was the national police chief.
After the May 2014 coup Pol Gen Watcharapol was appointed secretary-general handling political affairs for Gen Prawit, who became deputy prime minister.
Phumtham Wechayachai, acting secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party (file photo)
