Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has been spotted wearing another luxury watch, intensifying questions over the government's "big brother" asset scandal.
A photo of Gen Prawit wearing another luxury watch was shared online after the Facebook page CSI LA posted the image on its page, saying the watch is likely to be a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ice Blue Dial Platinum men's watch which costs between 1.9-2.4 million baht.
The page admin said a follower sent the photo to him. The price of the watch is 1.9 million baht if it is brought through Amazon.com, he said.
The price at the gold-standard Jomashop.com is $61,500, or exactly 2 million baht.
It was reported the photo, which originally appeared on Matichon Weekly Online, was taken on Feb 14 when Gen Prawit was giving an interview at the Defence Ministry.
On Friday, political activist Srisuwan Janya petitioned the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to examine more evidence in connection with Gen Prawit's possession of a second Richard Mille watch.
His move came after a photo of Gen Prawit wearing the watch went viral on social media. CSI LA page expects the watch is an RM 30 model which costs about 4 million baht.
It is not the same one the deputy premier was seen wearing while raising his right hand to shield his face from the sun during a group photo session of newly sworn-in cabinet ministers on Dec 4.
The watch and the ring he wore that day raised questions over whether he had acquired the items but may not have included them in his previous asset declarations as required by the NACC.
Meanwhile, Gen Prawit, who is a "big brother" of military ministers in the government, was said to be stressed over the issue.
According to Gen Prawit's close aide who asked not to be named, Gen Prawit is under pressure as he does not know how to make the public believe the Richard Mille watches belonged to his friend.
His friend died earlier this year, the source said. He said he and the friend, who studied in the same elementary school, had a close relationship, "like brothers", for more than 60 years.
The friend was a businessman and a watch lover. He always lent Gen Prawit his watches, the source said.
Some watches were not returned after his friend died, the source said.
The NACC has ordered Gen Prawit to clarify the source of the first Richard Mille within 30 days.