Suchatvee Suwansawat, the Democrat Party candidate in Bangkok's gubernatorial race, on Friday submitted a petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) asking it to probe his wealth.
The former rector of King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) said he decided to ask the anti-graft agency to investigate to show that he was willing to face scrutiny.
His move came after the House committee on corruption and misconduct prevention and suppression said it would look into a complaint accusing him of unusual wealth and malfeasance.
According to Move Forward Party MP Thiratchai Phantumas, the committee spokesman, an anonymous party lodged a complaint with panel chairman Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, the Seri Ruam Thai Party leader, a month ago about Mr Suchatvee's affluence as well as alleged wrongdoing.
Mr Suchatvee said he felt he was being discredited and treated unfairly, so he decided to ask the NACC to investigate his wealth and that of his spouse. He expressed confidence in the NACC while insisting he has never engaged in wrongdoing nor amassed unusual wealth.
"I accept scrutiny, but it should be carried out by the NACC which is an independent agency and directly in charge," he said.
The accusation follows a list of assets and debts owned by Mr Suchatvee made public by the NACC last December.
He was required to declare such information upon resigning as KMITL rector, a position he held for three years.
According to the declaration, he and his wife had 342.11 million baht in assets and 35.19 million baht in debts.
A total of 141.72 million baht of assets were declared as Mr Suchatvee's personal wealth and included a 35-million-baht house and 2.5-million-baht Porsche.