The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) will today set up a 30-person committee to study a draft amendment to the anti-corruption law that seeks to give more power to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
Jate Siratharanont, the NLA whip spokesman, said the proposed amendment has been submitted to the NLA by the NACC without prior examination by the cabinet or its legal adviser, the Council of State.
He said the panel will spend 30 days examining the proposed amendment to make sure it does not infringe on the rights of others before the draft is included in the NLA agenda.
Of the panel's 30 members, 20 are from the NLA and 10 are outsiders, including representatives from the prosecution and the judiciary.
"We agreed the NACC should have more power so it can do its job properly. But we have to make sure the increased powers won't affect the rights of the people or other agencies," he said.
The draft amendment, which has 28 sections, is the product of the NACC's claim it needs more power to fight graft.
Section 18 of the draft amendment would allow the anti-graft agency to arrest or detain people who are indicted under Section 70 of the Criminal Procedure Code who have failed to report to authorities and have had warrants for their arrest approved by the courts.
Other proposed changes include a life-time ban for politicians who deliberately submit false asset declarations or fail to declare their assets, and a death sentence for state officials found guilty of corruption.
Under the current law, a ban is limited to five years and there is no death sentence.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, commenting on criticism of the NACC's request for more power, said yesterday the bill is not yet finalised and will be carefully vetted by the NLA.
Some changes are urgent, he said, and others can wait until there is a new charter.