The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has vowed to complete its probe into Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon’s luxury wristwatch scandal by the end of the month.
NACC president Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said the NACC secretary-general’s office has twice reported its progress to the commission but has yet to give an update after Thursday’s deadline for Gen Prawit to submit his third explanation passed.
The commission nevertheless expects to conclude the case this month, he said.
The NACC launched its inquiry after Gen Prawit was spotted by media late last year wearing a luxury watch, believed to be a Richard Millle worth at least 2.5 million baht, and a diamond ring that were not included in his official assets declarations.
Twenty-five watches, worth about 39.5 million baht, were subsequently spotted on Gen Prawit’s wrist in press photos in the following months. The general has since claimed all were loaned to him and have been returned to their owners.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat yesterday called on the public to put pressure on the government to live up to the ethical standards it has frequently espoused.
The three key issues Mr Nipit wants to see addressed are Gen Prawit’s luxury wristwatch scandal, Mr Premchai’s alleged poaching and the ethical conduct of former national police chief Somyot Poompunmuang who borrowed 300 million baht from the fugitive massage parlour tycoon Kampol Wirathepsuporn now facing human trafficking charges.
“We should step up the pressure to make sure law enforcement proceeds the way it should. We shouldn’t associate with those trying to interfere or whitewash wrongdoing,” he wrote on his Facebook page.
Former Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong yesterday also submitted a petition to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) demanding a probe into the conduct of Pol Gen Somyot.
He said the ethical codes are now in place and they should apply to Pol Gen Somyot even though his questionable actions took place before he was appointed as an NLA member.
