Activist Srisuwan Janya has begun collecting signatures at his coffee shop in support of impeaching the anti-graft commissioners over their decision to drop the luxury watch case targeting Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Mr Srisuwan said anyone not happy with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)'s ruling can sign the petition at his Cha-Srisuwan coffee shop in Don Muang district of Bangkok.
Srisuwan: Wants 20,000 signatures
He aims to gather at least 20,000 names of eligible voters, which will be enough to forward the matter to the National Legislative Assembly to consider passing a request to the Supreme Court calling for the launch of an independent inquiry on the grounds that the commissioners violated the constitution and the law by delivering a ruling that cleared Gen Prawit of wrongdoing in the luxury watch scandal.
The NACC on Thursday voted 5:3 to clear Gen Prawit of failing to include 22 luxury watches and 12 rings on the list of assets and debts he submitted to the anti-graft agency upon assuming his cabinet post in 2014. The commission found there was not enough evidence to rule that the deputy premier deliberately concealed his wealth.
The commissioners who cleared Gen Prawit were Preecha Lertkamolmart, Narong Rathamarit, Vittaya Arkompituk, Surasak Keereevichien and Boonyavat Kruahongs. Sataphon Laothong, Supa Piyajitti and Suwana Suwanjuta, however, found there was insufficient information to give a ruling and proposed that more evidence should be collected.
Meanwhile, Nikom Wairatpanij, former Senate speaker and member of the Thai Raksa Chart Party, said the NACC has disappointed the people and the ruling might set a precedent for future cases.
If his party was part of the next government, it would definitely seek the impeachment of the NACC, he said.
Government anti-corruption committee member Tortrakul Yomnak wrote on his Facebook page that the NACC's ruling, which aborts any further investigation into the case, would do harm not only to the anti-graft agency's reputation but also Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's own credibility.
The prime minister's deep trust of his deputy has made public lose faith in Gen Prayut who many believe wishes to return to the role after the election.
Mr Tortrakul said he has decided to cease the cooperation he has given the NACC for 10 years on advising in corruption issues.
