Don't let history repeat itself
Last December, whistleblower CSI LA alerted us that DPM and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had worn 22 ultra-luxurious watches, allegedly worth up to 36 million baht -- or about a decade of the DPM's government salary.
Like Caesar's wife, the DPM must be above suspicion, for he controls billions in defence purchases -- so where did the watches come from?
The National Anti-Corruption Commission granted DPM Prawit four extensions to answer the query above. All DPM Prawit said was all watches were borrowed from businessman Pattawat Suksiwong, who's now dead, and have been returned. After waiting for months, why was the anti-graft body apparently satisfied with such a skimpy answer, which could have been given in January?
NACC secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said the agency is checking with 10 importers to seek the watches' serial numbers, which would confirm who the true owners are. But Pattawat's heirs must be easy to contact -- why hasn't Mr Worawit done so and obtained the serial numbers he needs from the watches themselves?
In the case of Red Bull scion Vorayuth Yoovidhya, who's confessed to the hit-and-run killing of a cop with his Ferrari, the authorities similarly gave the suspect extension after extension, letting the matter gradually ffade away as statute after statute of limitation expired. We should not let history repeat itself.
Mr Worawit may be slow-walking the case, or he may be incompetent. In either instance, since he was appointed to his post by the junta, Mr Worawit should be recused from the case, and an independent, highly competent, and strong-willed person with highest levels of integrity be appointed to head the investigation.
In addition, leaving Prawit in his post shows the world that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha cannot clean up his own house. PM Prayut should move the DPM to an inactive post until his name is cleared.