The petition to impeach the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) is expected to be completed by the middle of next month, said activist Srisuwan Janya.
Mr Srisuwan, who initiated the campaign at his coffee shop in Don Muang district and had gained 1,229 signatures as of 6pm Sunday, said he expected the required 20,000 names to be gathered by the middle of the month at which point he will send the petition to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
The NLA will then 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 deciding not to pursue further investigation against Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon for 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 said there was insufficient evidence to rule that the deputy premier deliberately concealed his wealth.
Mr Srisuwan said it would not take long to collect the required number of signatures because many people are unhappy with the NACC's handling of the case.
"After the NLA receives the case, the process of impeachment could be wrapped up in six months," he said.
He added that the EC chairman should take responsibility for the ruling that cleared Gen Prawit and eroded public confidence in the agency.
On Sunday morning, about 50 people signed the petition campaign. It is believed plainclothes policemen were monitoring the area. One of those who turned up was Theerachai, who did not give his surname, 62, from Nonthaburi. He said he wanted to see the country ruled by good governance and transparency, adding he found the ruling hard to accept.
Sukkhom Kunanon, 59, from Chiang Mai, said more than a million people should join the campaign to show how deeply displeased they are with the NACC. The commissioners who cleared Gen Prawit were Preecha Lertkamolmart, Narong Rathamarit, Vittaya Arkompituk, Surasak Keereevichien and Boonyavat Kruahongs.
- Earlier report: Activist begins impeachment petition
