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Tick, tock; calls grow for Thai deputy PM to quit over watch scandal

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Tick, tock; calls grow for Thai deputy PM to quit over watch scandal

By Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

2018-02-05T081704Z_1_LYNXMPEE140IJ_RTROPTP_4_THAILAND-POLITICS.JPG

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan shields his eyes from the sun and displays a watch he is wearing during a photo session at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, December 4, 2017. Picture taken December 4, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A petition calling for the resignation of Thailand's deputy prime minister attracted thousands of signatures on Monday, heaping pressure on the junta's second-in-command to step aside amid a scandal over a luxury watch and undeclared assets.

 

The scandal has revealed growing signs of disgruntlement among the Thai public, and added to uncertainty over whether the junta will call an election later this year that is supposed to move the Southeast Asian nation back toward democracy.

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) placed Prawit Wongsuwan, 72, a former army chief who is also defence minister, under investigation after his appearance in a photograph of the cabinet wearing a diamond ring and a luxury watch in December sparked an avalanche of criticism on social media.

 

Thai netizens have since identified 25 expensive luxury watches that the former general has worn but not declared to the anti-graft body.

 

Prawit has said that he borrowed the timepieces from friends, but would resign if that was the public's wish.

 

According to Thailand's anti-corruption act, all political office holders must fully disclose all of their assets.

 

On Monday, a Change.org petition calling for Prawit's resignation had more than 61,200 signatures.

 

The minister was attending a defence conference in Singapore on Monday, and a spokesman said he was in "good health", without specifically addressing the watch issue.

 

"I would like to confirm that General Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and defence minister ... is in good health and is ready to dedicate himself to looking after the country's security," Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich, told reporters.

 

The scandal is a sore point for the junta, whose promise to rid Thailand's politics of corruption was central to its premise for staging a 2014 coup.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has said a general election will take place in November, last week asked for more time in office to prepare the country for the vote.

 

Signs of growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in a steady stream of protests calling for a quick return to democracy and in defiance of a junta crackdown on freedom of assembly.

 

On Saturday, students at a football match wheeled out parade floats poking fun at Prawit while a Bangkok street artist who depicted Prawit's face in an alarm clock said in a Facebook post that he was facing police intimidation.

 

Reuters was unable to immediately contact police for comment.

 

The NACC has said it will conclude its probe this month.

 

(Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

 
reuters_logo.jpg
-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-2-5

does any one really believe he will resign, even tho he said he would.

yielding power is like a drug, you can not give it up.

there is only one person who can do anything and he is a BUDDY, so it will never happen.

keep dreaming!!!

44 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

"I would like to confirm that General Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister and defence minister ... is in good health

Compared to whom or what for that matter?

but of sound mind?????

53 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

attending a defence conference in Singapore

 

Did everyone also laugh out loud there, like they did at the penis whitening conference in Paris?

Just the sheer arrogance and stubbornness. He said he’d quit if that was the public’s wish. Now, himself or someone else is saying that the country needs him. He probably really thinks he’s needed and just can’t face resigning. These people will never allow themselves to be voted out. 

18 minutes ago, rodknock said:

does any one really believe he will resign, even tho he said he would.

yielding power is like a drug, you can not give it up.

there is only one person who can do anything and he is a BUDDY, so it will never happen.

keep dreaming!!!

Not his buddy, his subordinate... Go figure 555

$1 million is nothing compared to former PMs hiding their wealth.

13 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

$1 million is nothing compared to former PMs hiding their wealth.

True, but it shows he is of the same elk, innit.

He ain’t going to quit. His spokesman makes it very clear in his press statement today. He is not quitting because he want to continue to serve the country. The brotherhood will never be broken. They are blocking all the noises & hunker down and hope things will quiet down. Bad decision. 

Long running will he won't he taxi for the general meter on meter off story that is giving the public some distraction of just how awful the junta has become. 

Whatever happens he won't be giving up his "unusual wealth" and he will retire a very rich man.

Absolutely no better than previous corrupt officials in charge of the country

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The scandal is a sore point for the junta, whose promise to rid Thailand's politics of corruption was central to its premise for staging a 2014 coup.

In Thai does "rid" and "re-orientate" sound the same ?  They also said they were going to bring happiness back.  People are not unhappy.  Quick!  Fix the bike lanes and find the 1932 plaque. 

Edited by yellowboat

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

and is ready to dedicate himself to looking after the country's security," Defence Ministry spokesman Kongcheep Tantrawanich, told reporters.

what idiocy; thailand sure is blessed with this bunch leading the way

Should we replace the current photo calendars in our homes with one of Prawit?

21 hours ago, Neeranam said:

$1 million is nothing compared to former PMs hiding their wealth.

If I murder somebody should I get off scott free because there have been mass murderers previously ?

22 hours ago, rodknock said:

does any one really believe he will resign,

 

 

He might be forced to resign if ever proven the watches are a result of corruption.

 

At the moment all we have are baseless accusations made by red shirts on Facebook.

4 hours ago, Colabamumbai said:

Should we replace the current photo calendars in our homes with one of Prawit?

Definitely..............afasda-696x522.jpg

2 hours ago, joecoolfrog said:

If I murder somebody should I get off scott free because there have been mass murderers previously ?

No. Rather a strange question.

1 hour ago, Neeranam said:

No. Rather a strange question.

Sure we will pardon you after 5 years on my birthday.

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