NACC chief promises fair inquiry into Prawit’s watches

[webfact]

NACC chief promises fair inquiry into Prawit’s watches

By The Nation

 

NACC president Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit

 

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) president Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit on Monday insisted that the thorough investigation into the wristwatch controversy would not be overly influenced by any one commissioner.

Referring to allegations about expensive watches worn by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Watcharapol said the commissioners had agreed that their decision-making process must be straightforward and transparent, as the issue was in the public interest.

 

He said he was not worried about anything, as the NACC resolution on the matter would be passed by a majority vote and every commissioner would be responsible for it.

 

The remark came following concerns that Watcharapol’s personal close connection with Prawit could affect NACC’s decision on the issue.

 

Watcharapol was the PM Office’s deputy secretary-general attached to Prawit in 2014 when the coup-installed government was formed.

The NACC president also denied having counselled Prawit on the watch issue.

 

“Why [would Prawit] unburden himself to me? He just does his job and I do mine,” he said. “He hasn’t sought any advice with me. He won’t. Don’t you worry about that.”

 

Prawit was caught up in controversy over a month ago when he was spotted in a Cabinet group photograph wearing a luxurious Richard Mille timepiece that could have cost millions of baht.

 

The NACC took the matter in hand after members of the public questioned whether Prawit had declared the watch as an asset when he became a minister.

 

When the agency demanded that Prawit provide an explanation over the issue, more photos of the general wearing fancy wristwatches kept emerging. Netizens now believe that Prawit could have at least 15 such expensive watches.

 

Prawit late last month submitted an explanation letter to the agency, but new photos continued appearing on the Internet.

 

Watcharapol said NACC officials might need more time to verify the information before making a judgement.

 

Four individuals had been summoned to the inquiry, he said. Whether the agency would need to call any other witnesses was yet uncertain.

 

Watcharapol also refused to say whether any individuals would be further questioned if it was proved that they had a connection to the controversial watches.

 

Prawit, meanwhile, refused to speak about the issue on Monday, saying only that it should be left for the NACC to pursue.

 

The general shrugged off the fact that the controversy has drawn wide criticism of him on the Internet. He also refused to say if he had submitted an additional explanation to the agency, saying that he did not know and then walking out of the media interview.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30335702

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-08

[rkidlad]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

The general shrugged off the fact that the controversy has drawn wide criticism of him on the Internet. He also refused to say if he had submitted an additional explanation to the agency, saying that he did not know and then walking out of the media interview.

Narcissism epitomized. 

[Misterwhisper]

In other words: The result of the inquiry is a foregone conclusion. General Prawit will be cleared of any wrongdoing, just as with his extravagant and disgustingly expensive splurge trip to Hawaii last year. 

[Coconutman]

Times up

[coulson]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Watcharapol said NACC officials might need more time to verify the information before making a judgement

Even WATCHarapol is having a laugh

[baboon]

1 hour ago, Misterwhisper said:

In other words: The result of the inquiry is a foregone conclusion. General Prawit will be cleared of any wrongdoing, just as with his extravagant and disgustingly expensive splurge trip to Hawaii last year. 

Correct. This is the reverse side of the 'You will be given a fair trial before being found guilty' coin.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

I feel very sorry for my Thai family and friends too be ruled by people like him. He is not exactly the role model this country so desperately needs right now.  

[lemonjelly]

wristwatches; prolly tip of an iceberg. Think land, resorts, houses etc


Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

[newatthis]

14 hours ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

I feel very sorry for my Thai family and friends too be ruled by people like him. He is not exactly the role model this country so desperately needs right now.  

Exactly. There was an article in yesterday's other English newspaper about the profit made by the BMA's Pawnshop Office. This man and his fellow leaders just have no concept about how their fellow Thais are struggling, but HALLELUJAH for the 15baht a day increase.

[klauskunkel]

16 hours ago, webfact said:

“Why [would Prawit] unburden himself to me? He just does his job and I do mine,” he said. “He hasn’t sought any advice with me. He won’t. Don’t you worry about that.”

Why should we worry about that? You should worry about it.

[seajae]

the fox in the hen house, Thailands biggest problem with corruption. We used to have a politician in Australia that used to say the same thing, "dont you worry about that", he was found guilty as sin when he faced court for what he had done.

[Happyman58]

My decision will not have any thing to do with my friends ship with Prawit Just as it was when the decision was made to appoint me to this job I will not tell the other commissioners what to do but i did tell them this is the way i will be voting and why i am voting that way Actually my good friend Prawit even helped me write my reasons why i came to this decision. But you other board members i want you to vote with free mind but just a little reminder that your jobs are coming up  for review in June