Teerakiat says he would resign if caught in a watch scandal

By The Nation

 

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin

 

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin has criticised the country's response to the Prawit watch scandal and said that he would step down from his Cabinet position if he was exposed to possess a luxury watch.

 

The remark, quoted in BBC Thai on Monday, came during a speech to Thai businessmen and students at the Thai embassy in London last Friday.

 

Teerakiat was comparing the rule of law and ethical awareness between Thailand and the United Kingdom. He said that Thai people were so “thick skinned” they would never resign from a position even when they were hit with a scandal.

 

Teerakiat did not mention Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan by name. Prawit is under investigation by the anti-graft agency for having about 25 expensive luxury watches.

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his support for Prawit despite pressure from the public for his right hand man to resign.

 

Teerakiat said during his speech that Thailand lacks an ethical conscience.

 

As an example, he pointed to International Development Minister Lord Michael Bates who offered his resignation last month because he was a few minutes late for a debate at the House of Lords. His resignation was rejected by the prime minister.

 

“But in Thailand, [one] can survive despite having 25 watches,” he said jokingly.

 

Teerakait later told BBC Thai that ministers in Thailand would not resign if they were a few minutes late.

 

“It’s [about] conscience ... knowing what is right or wrong. Being late is not against the law but it’s about ethics. Since we did not teach people since they were young to have thin skin it is difficult ...Thais are thick skinned,” Teerakiat was quoted by BBC Thai.

 

“If I were exposed [to have luxury watches], I would have stepped down when the first watch [was exposed]. Other people don’t dare to speak out. I don’t know what they are afraid of. Will I be fired?” he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338716

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-13

Teerakiat ordered to explain watch scandal remark

By The Nation

 

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha said he would order Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin to explain his remark which apparently attacked Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan who is embroiled in a luxury watch scandal.
 

“I will have him [Teerakiat] explain,” Prayut said before chairing a weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday at Government House.

 

Prayut was responding to Teerakiat’s interview with BBC Thai in London where he said that if he were exposed of possessing a luxury watch he would have stepped down from his post.

 

Although Teerakiat did not mention Prawit by name, the deputy prime minister is under investigation by an anti-graft agency after appearing in public with about 25 expensive luxury watches on different occasions.

 

Prayut declined to comment when asked if the remark would create a rift in the Cabinet.

 

The PM has previously expressed his support for Prawit despite pressure from the public for his right hand man to resign.

 

Prawit also declined to comment on Teerakiat's statements as he entered the Cabinet meeting and only smiled to reporters.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338718

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-13

Don't think he will have to resign,talking like that will

get him the sack.

regards worgeordie

I really don't see the problem with people in high positions within the government owning luxury watches , in this country its shows status . Westerners buy expensive homes and cars to do the same and with Prawit getting on in years why shouldn't he spend his money in what he wants .

7 minutes ago, keith101 said:

I really don't see the problem with people in high positions within the government owning luxury watches , in this country its shows status . Westerners buy expensive homes and cars to do the same and with Prawit getting on in years why shouldn't he spend his money in what he wants .

Not sure if you are trolling?? I don't think anyone has a problem with people having expensive watches if they have the means to buy them. As you should know Khun Prawit declared his total assets in 2008 & 2014, declared no business interests and no luxury watches, the total amount of which would be about half the value of all his assets. The issue with Prawit, is a) he did not declare them, when any assets of value in excess of 200K THB need to be declared The value of 20+ luxury watches far outstrips what he would be able to afford on his declared salaries and assets, and no business interests. This is not to mention his cash assets somehow increasing by 30 million between 2008-2014.

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

"I will have him [Teerakiat] explain,” Prayut said

You might also ask him to explain why the education system is a failure while you've got the thumb screws on him!

Not having a history in the Thai military he has not been brainwashed into unquestioningly following the generals. Good on the doctor. Now he should do something about the abysmal education system in Thailand. Seems he is prepared to speak his mind so something may get done for a change.  

 

Damn, just learned he did not attend the Cabinet meeting.

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by GarryP

6 minutes ago, GarryP said:

Damn, just learned he did not attend the Cabinet meeting.

 

He had brake "failure" on the way... 

That will be the last time he talks out of turn... :)

Yes, this man is ordered to explain his comments about a man who's been caught bang to rights. Man who has been caught bang to rights is yet to explain anything.

 

This is all very fair and transparent. 

23 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

You might also ask him to explain why the education system is a failure while you've got the thumb screws on him!

He is only new to the job as Minister for Education and from PM Prayut's comments he is dead meat already for being honest. At least in his short career he showed a glimmer of righteousness and integrity. Any hope for the education system is about to disappear.

I could afford to resign......................................... if someone gave me those watches

If he sacks him he would made him an honor. 

Teerakiat ‘to meet PM’ after apparent criticism of Prawit

By The Nation

 

 

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin arrived at Government House about noon on Tuesday amid speculation that he would meet the premier following his remarks apparently criticising the junta leadership.

 

Teerakiat declined to join the weekly Cabinet meeting this morning and kept himself shut in his office at the Education Ministry.

 

He later left the office and headed to Government House, where it was reported that he would have a private meeting with Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

BBC Thai reported that, at a reception at the Thai Embassy in London last Friday, Teerakiat said he would resign if he were found to own luxury wristwatches.

 

The minister mentioned no names, but the reference was clearly to Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is under fire for being in possession of at least 25 expensive watches.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30338734

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-13

And so the sacrificial lamb has been chosen 

I really don't see the problem with people in high positions within the government owning luxury watches , in this country its shows status . Westerners buy expensive homes and cars to do the same and with Prawit getting on in years why shouldn't he spend his money in what he wants .

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

4 hours ago, keith101 said:

with Prawit getting on in years why shouldn't he spend his money in what he wants

Please read the history on Prawit's watches. He claims they were all loaned to him.

He knows he cannot claim he purchased them while earning a $40,000/year Thai general's salary.

I don't understand what this guy has to explain. He doesn't have 25 mysterious

expensive watches of questionable provenance. 

at a guess I would say that Teerakiat is not military, hence the room for ethics

There’s no room for this kind of honest behaviour. Off with his head. 

What's to explain?  His remarks seem pretty darn clear.  

2 hours ago, MaxLee said:

And so the sacrificial lamb has been chosen 

It is a real worry for the junta.  It is detention within the ranks.   You have this citizen employed by a military government daring to question a leader ?  That will teach the men in green to hire non military personnel.   If more start to do this, the junta will be in a corner.  They could create the instability they said they thwarted.  They can fire the guy, but he is aligned with the average Thai. 

Any optimism I had for this country is going up in smoke... they are hemorrhaging highly qualified, intelligent and possibly ethical people.  
Meanwhile, the masses just stand there like deer in the headlights... time for some noodles.

FM...

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by Nowisee

This guy is in deep sh,,t. Only because he was making an opinion, which was clearly obvious, Rome's Caesar does still rule! Democracy! Don't think so!

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Education Minister Teerakiat Jareonsettasin has criticised the country's response to the Prawit watch scandal and said that he would step down from his Cabinet position if he was exposed to possess a luxury watch.

this guy doesnt play the game the thai way, suggestive of being educated overseas; 

he is far too direct; not long for that job

8 minutes ago, YetAnother said:

this guy doesnt play the game the thai way, suggestive of being educated overseas; 

he is far too direct; not long for that job

in another high profile forum this is what he is quoted as saying: "bear in mind that law enforcement and conscience of politicians in Thailand were very different. Rule of law doesn’t really exist, he said. "

wow

8 hours ago, keith101 said:

I really don't see the problem with people in high positions within the government owning luxury watches , in this country its shows status . Westerners buy expensive homes and cars to do the same and with Prawit getting on in years why shouldn't he spend his money in what he wants .

Ummm................did he say that he bought the watches? 

yeah he can spend his money for what he wants.

If it is clear that he got it lawfully and free from corruption

This he could have proven by listing it when asked about his fortune.

 

He did not do it - so it's clear the money was ill gotten - until he proves the opposite - which he avoids.

It should be him who is in trouble not Teearakiat.

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by sweatalot

Let's hope more high profile Thais start saying similar things. 

1 hour ago, sweatalot said:

yeah he can spend his money for what he wants.

If it is clear that he got it lawfully and free from corruption

This he could have proven by listing it when asked about his fortune.

 

He did not do it - so it's clear the money was ill gotten - until he proves the opposite - which he avoids.

It should be him who is in trouble not Teearakiat.

"Insolent" challengers will not be tolerated, whether they speak the truth or not! Teerakiat is doomed. 

Edited February 13, 20188 yr by lvr181
Spelling correction

??? if P actually needs this explained to him, I truly despair.

 

on another note... Thais have thick skin