The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has indicated that it will seek public feedback on its move to adjust its rule that bars holders of political positions from receiving gifts worth more than 3,000 baht following heavy criticism.
The move, which would likely see the cap of the gift price raised, has taken flak from various quarters, including the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT), politicians and activists, who said it could encourage corruption.
NACC deputy secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said Sunday it is usual for the NACC to gather feedback from various sides whenever it draws up any new regulations.
Its move to adjust the gift limit has been met with both support and opposition. Therefore, paying heed to public opinion would be a sensible move, Mr Worawit said.
Seeking public feedback should be enough and holding public forums was probably unnecessary, he said. He did not elaborate on how the agency would do this.
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Mr Worawit also said the NACC's legal office is drawing up a bill on national anti-corruption organic law to add to the constitution. Whatever revisions the anti-graft agency makes to the gift limit will be included in the bill, he said.
Panthep Klanarongran, chairman of the reform committee on the prevention and suppression of corruption, voiced support Sunday for the rule change, which dates from 1999, saying the cost of living had increased.
The current value of 3,000 baht is not much compared to the value of money in the past, he said.
Mr Panthep also said that as the existing rule is still in force, any political-office holders who receive gifts worth more than 3,000 baht can avoid breaking the rule by informing their agencies of the gifts they receive and transferring ownership of those gifts to their agencies.
The possible change of the rule was revealed last week after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha came under fire for remarking he would give two puppies worth 6,000 baht each to Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda and Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikulya.
The premier was speaking after he bought three puppies from a group of breeders of Bang Kaew dogs in Phitsanulok during a mobile cabinet trip on Dec 25.
Anti-graft activist Srisuwan Janya filed a petition with the NACC against the premier for allegedly giving a gift worth more than 3,000 baht to holders of political positions.
Mr Worawit said on Friday the agency was considering adjusting the rule, but no conclusion on the matter has been reached.
He gave the remarks a day after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the ceiling of a gift's price was stipulated in an NACC announcement back in 1999, and the price adjustment is needed to reflect inflation over the period since then.
Such rules were intended to prevent officials from gaining personal benefits on their positions and to ensure transparency, Mr Mana said. To raise the cap would be wrong and counter to what other countries have done, he stated.