Foreign Minister’s wife’s undeclared stocks could be illegal: initial EC report

By The Nation

 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai

 

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is at risk of losing his post over a Constitutional issue as the Election Commission (EC) reportedly agreed that his spouse’s undeclared stockholdings could be deemed illegal.

 

Don is among nine ministers mentioned in a petition filed with the EC last year by the Pheu Thai Party’s legal officer Ruangkrai Leekitwattana asking it to probe the holding of stocks by cabinet ministers. Eight cases have been considered by the EC and all ministers were cleared.

 

According to the initial report, the EC has unanimously voted that Don could be in breach of the constitutional ban against undeclared stocks being held by ministers, their spouses and children under legal ages.

 

Narirat Pramudwinai, Don’s wife, appeared to own more than five per cent of the minister’s stock shares. This was not declared to the National Anti-Corruption Commission within 30 days of Don’s appointment as is required by Article 187 in the 2017 charter.

 

The law also requires that ministers must not benefit from holding stocks. Even declared stocks must be conveyed to legal persons to manage them at an arms distance from the parties.

 

Based on their initial finding, the EC is expected to submit a petition to the Constitution Court, which would be the final arbiter of whether Don had breached the constitutional requirement.

 

The EC president Supachai Somcharoen appeared surprised at a news report of their preliminary finding and declined to comment on the EC’s decision..

 

The 68-year-old retired diplomat was appointed to the junta-led Cabinet in 2014 as the deputy foreign minister before topping the ministerial post a year later.

 

He served since 1991 in ambassadorships to some of the most important countries and international organisations for Thailand’s interests, including the United States, China, the European Union and the United Nations.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30346761

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-01

Appointed by the junta, can't see this going to far

don't bother to WATCH this space

In all my previous jobs i had to declare my stock holdings. Sure it was annoying, but those 5 minutes of paperwork every 3 months made sure i didnt lose my job over something this stupid.

 

Seems these people take their jobs and compliance less serious.

Edited June 1, 20188 yr by Bob12345

5 hours ago, webfact said:

. This was not declared to the National Anti-Corruption Commission within 30 days of Don’s appointment as is required by Article 187 in the 2017 charter.

The NACC will investigate. Nothing to be concerned. They will find the declaration document but forgotten to submit or something to that effect. 

16 minutes ago, Bob12345 said:

In all my previous jobs i had to declare my stock holdings. Sure it was annoying, but those 5 minutes of paperwork every 3 months made sure i didnt lose my job over something this stupid.

 

Seems these people take their jobs and compliance less serious.

It's pure arrogance. They think the rules don't apply to them. Like rules and laws are beneath them. 

8 hours ago, webfact said:

a petition filed with the EC last year by the Pheu Thai Party’s legal officer Ruangkrai Leekitwattana asking it to probe the holding of stocks by cabinet ministers.

Why does it take a petition to get EC's attention?

If it's role is to be responsible to assure compliance of government officers to laws and regulations such as proper asset declarations, it should have an independent verification and investigative responsibilities. No petition required.The EC is a Constitutional (aka Independent) Organization. It should act like one.

Nothing will happen Just an oversight that's all. Next case. Probably watching hubby in action for all these years so thought hey I want a piece of the action to

Perhaps the stocks had been borrowed from a wealthy friend, who has since died?

I am a bit lost. How can the EC be competent about an unelected government?

A troll post containing a disallowed reference to the PM has been removed.