Activist demands Customs, Revenue investigate Prawit

Activist demands Customs, Revenue investigate Prawit

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon raises his hand to block the sunlight while posing for pictures with other cabinet ministers in December. The diamond ring and the wristwatch he exposed were not listed in his declaration of assets and liabilities. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon raises his hand to block the sunlight while posing for pictures with other cabinet ministers in December. The diamond ring and the wristwatch he exposed were not listed in his declaration of assets and liabilities. (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

A former national reform councilor and activist wants the Customs and Revenue departments to investigate Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon's many luxury watches - and especially the tax angle.

Rosana Tositrakul, former member of the now-defunct National Reform Council, wrote in her Facebook page on Monday that she sent letters to the directors-general of the two departments to seek investigation into 25 luxury watches Gen Prawit had reportedly worn.

"The claim by Gen Prawit he had been loaned all the watches and had returned them is not a reason for the Customs Department and the Revenue Department not to investigate," she said.

The Customs Department should first look into the possibility Gen Prawit imported the watches, and ask him if he paid import duty.

"If Gen Prawit says he borrowed them from another person, he must prove that. Without proof, they must be considered as belonging to Gen Prawit," Ms Rosana said.

Without evidence of duty having been paid, Gen Prawit could be charged with smuggling them, and be taxed appropriately.

Rosana Tositrakul

Ms Rosana also said the Revenue Department should find out if the money spent on the watches had been declared for tax purposes.

If they were not taxed, the owner of the watches must be taxed and fined, she said.

According to the Thai-language CSI LA Facebook account, 25 different luxury-brand watches have been spotted in photos adorning the wrist of Gen Prawit, who is also the defence minister.

Their worth has been estimated 39.5 million baht.

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