The assets and liabilities of new and soon-to-be-departing cabinet ministers were revealed Friday, showing Deputy Commerce Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara to be the wealthiest of all.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is investigating Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan over his collection of 25 luxury watches, made the announcement yesterday.
The ministers on the list either took office last November or are due to step down in the same month this year. Their spouses are included in the calculations.
The assets on the list include accessories and collectibles, watches that cost upward of several hundred baht and Buddha statues valued at between 500 and 2,500 baht (US$16-80).
According to the NACC's records, Ms Chutima had a declared worth of 238.8 million baht. Most of his assets were in the form of investments, valued at 134.9 million baht, including 10 watches worth a total of 200,000 baht.
Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn and his spouse were the wealthiest among those newly added to the list. Their declared assets were worth 179.1 million baht, mostly in the form of investments.
PM's Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool had 23 million baht more assets than debts including a piano worth 535,000 baht and car accessories valued at 197,500 baht, the list showed.
Deputy Defence Minister Gen Chaichan Changmongkol and his spouse had 30 million baht more assets than liabilities.
Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kowsurat and his spouse had 60 million baht more assets than debts including two guns, and a wristwatch valued at over 200,000 baht.
Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan had 16 million baht more assets than debts.
Agriculture Minister Grisada Boonrach and his spouse had 15.2 million baht more assets than debts including three guns, one Rolex valued at 287,270 baht, one Longines worth 129,026 baht and accessories worth 250,000 baht.
He declared 16 amulets but could not estimate their value.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Wiwat Salyakamthorn and his spouse had 28.5 million baht more assets than debts. Most were land and property in Ratchaburi.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Luck Wajananawat and his spouse had 84.5 million baht more assets than debts. They included a gun, three wristwatches worth 10,000 baht each and 17 Buddha statutes valued at between 500 and 2,500 baht apiece.
Deputy Education Minister Udom Kachintorn and his spouse had 66.9 million baht more assets than debts while the comparable number for Deputy Industry Minister Somchai Hanhiran and his wife stood at 72.4 million baht.
Among the cabinet ministers who had changed posts, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya and his spouse had 35.2 million baht more assets than debts including three watches. Their prices ranged from 200,000 baht to 700,000 baht.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Gen Anantaporn Kanjanarat and his spouse had 48.8 million baht more assets than debts including three watches worth between 250,000 baht and 920,000 baht.
Only one of the ministers who vacated office on Nov 23 -- former science and technology minster Atchaka Sibunruang -- was poorer than recorded in the last round of declared assets.
Ms Atchaka had 82 million baht more assets than debts when taking office in 2016 but that has since fallen to 72.3 million baht. This represented a loss of 9.9 million baht.