NACC chief urged to recuse himself in Prawit probe

By WASAMON AUDJARINT 
THE NATION 

 

 

WATCHARAPOL’S HISTORY WITH NCPO SCRUTINISED AS ACADEMICS QUESTION INTEGRITY OF INVESTIGATION

 

THE NATIONAL Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) president should step aside in the investigation of his former boss, General Prawit Wongsuwan, regarding the latter’s possession of an extravagant wristwatch and diamond ring, political academics and critics said yesterday.

 

While the anti-graft body has agreed to investigate the case involving what appeared to be a multi-million-baht Richard Mille watch worn by the junta’s deputy prime minister, many doubt that Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit will conduct a fair investigation.

 

Prawit, who did not declare any assets worth more than Bt200,000 when he entered the Cabinet in 2014, is suspected of not only concealing his assets from the NACC but also of “unusual wealth”, as the 72-year-old retired general does not appear to have any business investments.

 

Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit

 

Watcharapol is a familiar face in the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Soon after the 2014 coup, the NCPO promoted him from deputy police chief to acting police chief.

 

A few months later, the junta appointed him to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) before making him a deputy secretary-general to the prime minister attached to Prawit. He was appointed by the NLA to head the NACC a year later.

 

The NACC under his navigation has a track record of clearing NCPO members of corruption allegations regarding their involvement with the construction of Rajabhakti Park.

 

NACC regulations stipulate that any NACC-appointed subcommittee member investigated may be recused if they are considered to have a conflict of interest. 

 

Objections can also be raised if officials have business relations with parties involved in a case.

 

Aware that he was under scrutiny, Watcharapol said earlier that he would not allow any NACC member with vested interests to investigate the case, but he did not rule out his own participation.

 

Academics have said they have little faith that the NACC will seriously investigate Prawit given how anti-graft officials were appointed.

 

Mana Nimitmongkol, secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, said Watcharapol probably would not investigate Prawit’s case himself, particularly since his connection with Prawit had been scrutinised since he was appointed to the NACC.

 

However, as NACC president, it would be impossible for Watcharapol to not have a role in the investigation results eventually. “The best he could do might be to use an investigative mechanism and officers transparent enough to be publicly acceptable,” Mana said.

 

Srisuwan Janya

 

Srisuwan Janya, an activist who filed a petition with the NACC against Prawit, said Watcharapol should temporarily withdraw from overseeing the case and let the rest of the NACC members conduct the process.

 

Satithorn Thananitichote, an academic at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said he believe that Watcharapol would still be able to investigate the case if he strictly follows the NACC’s regulations. 

 

“He and Prawit did work together, but it still can’t be said that they retain connections. It is rather a social perception,” Satithorn said. “Officers having shared work experience is rather common. Setting such a high standard might affect other cases as well.”

 

However, Watcharapol could abstain from a decision when the NACC discusses the case to maintain “good political etiquette”, he said.

 

Most importantly, he added, the NACC must ensure that the investigative subcommittee works independently without any conflicts of interest.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30333537

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-09

3 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

The NACC under his navigation has a track record of clearing NCPO members of corruption allegations...

 

The NACC is the Junta's pet committee for clearing their actions, no matter what they are.

 

The NACC is a Frankensteinian monster that will haunt Thai politics for many years to come, taking out opponents of the PTB at will without accountability, transparency, responsibility or neutrality.

 

Thailand desperately needs an effective anti-corruption agency. Unfortunately, the NACC isn't it.

 

Well that's what should happen, but... 

Unusual wealth!! everybody knows how he got it.

He has been saving his army pension.

Academics have said they have little faith that the NACC will seriously investigate Prawit given how anti-graft officials were appointed. I think a lot of citizens think along the same lines !

His pay is 186,000 yet he has amassed a million baht a year for the last six years.  What's to investigate?

18 minutes ago, mikebell said:

His pay is 186,000 yet he has amassed a million baht a year for the last six years.  What's to investigate?

Bitcoin?

All this fuss over a watch have they been to his House and opened his garage yet ?

Looking at the picture, Watcharapol is watching the watch.

" investigate the case " ! all it takes is one question,where did you

get the money from to buy the watch and huge diamond ring ?.

regards Worgeordie

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

The NACC under his navigation has a track record of clearing NCPO members of corruption allegations

public morality weighs in against the corrupt general, but the generals are in power, so it wont matter

9 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Academics have said they have little faith that the NACC will seriously investigate Prawit given how anti-graft officials were appointed.

Anyone with a little power and influence does not get investigated seriously. 

People should stop attacking Prawit. Everbody knows the watch and ring are accessories that come with every submarine purchase.

That's the perfect trap! 

 

If he does not recuse himself he will be accused (not by the Judiciary, of course) of conflict of interest. 

 

But if he recuses himself he will acknowledge he is not neutral!

Perhaps this is why Prawit didn't seem too concerned about the NACC.

 

Prayut's brother did OK too...

On 12/9/2017 at 11:03 AM, nev said:

All this fuss over a watch have they been to his House and opened his garage yet ?

Or check his bank account to see what other 'income' has been received apart from his (annual/monthly?) 186,000 Baht.