PM claims wristwatch scandal not cause of Thailand’s downgrading in corruption index

[webfact]

PM claims wristwatch scandal not cause of Thailand’s downgrading in corruption index

 

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning claimed that Thailand’s drop in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index rankings has nothing to do with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s wristwatch scandal.

 

He insisted that the wristwatch scandal was a minor issue and has already been settled. The National Anti-Corruption Commission recently cleared Gen Prawit of wrong-doing in the scandal in which he was accused of possessing more than 20 luxury watches which he allegedly failed to declare.  It was ruled that the watches were items borrowed from a friend. 

 

However, the prime minister admitted that the downgrading of Thailand’s CPI’s ranking might have partially stemmed from the fact that the government is not democratically but insisted his administration has taken all necessary steps to tackle graft problems. He said his government accepts the Transparency International’s decision with reservations, calling on critics to find out the criteria used in judging Thailand .

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pm-claims-wristwatch-scandal-not-cause-of-thailands-downgrading-in-corruption-index/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-02-01

[YetAnother]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning claimed that Thailand’s drop in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index rankings has nothing to do with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s wristwatch scandal.

revealing his credentials for PM job; out-of-touch ,or lying, maybe he is self-delusional; international corruption critique mentions the watch-general often; 

[mok199]

Dumbest statement of the century, from the man of the hour , about the man of the year......

[Mango Bob]

That is not true.  It sure does.

[pattayadgw]

It may not be the root cause of the downgrading but it certainly hasn't helped especially when you know that most people feel the "watch saga" investigation was nothing but a sham. 

[a977]

It might not be the cause of the problem but it sure as hell went a loooong way into helping it.

[colinneil]

Watch scandal not cause of Thailands downgrading says  Prayut.

Hes surely having a laff.

Maybe not the sole cause, but certainly a major contributory factor.

[observer90210]

Looks that Transparency Int. sent undercover agents to Thai Immigration Offices for retirement visa extensions....and got a taste of the place !!

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, YetAnother said:

revealing his credentials for PM job; out-of-touch ,or lying, maybe he is self-delusional; international corruption critique mentions the watch-general often; 

'or'? I would have gone for 'and'

[lamyai3]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

PM claims wristwatch scandal not cause of Thailand’s downgrading in corruption index

 

 

The chap in the middle is doing a facepalm at the idea anyone could make such an outrageous claim. 

[ChipButty]

Seems Thailand is on someones Watch list

[bluesofa]

48 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Watch scandal not cause of Thailands downgrading says  Prayut.

Hes surely having a laff.

Maybe not the sole cause, but certainly a major contributory factor.

Are you haven't  missed 'ar' in front of 'sole cause'?

[PatOngo]

Of course DPM Prawatch is not solely to blame, the blame lies with EVERY snout that lines up for their share of swill at the trough!

[bluesofa]

27 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Seems Thailand is on someones Watch list

What goes around comes around - but only in an 'analogue' sense, not digital.

[Lungstib]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

but insisted his administration has taken all necessary steps to tackle graft problems.

Dont you just love that 'all'. Not a few, not some, this man doesn't do humble, he took all necessary steps. So corruption just disappeared and its the fault of Transparency International for not realising it. 

[bluesofa]

2 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

Dont you just love that 'all'. Not a few, not some, this man doesn't do humble, he took all necessary steps. So corruption just disappeared and its the fault of Transparency International for not realising it. 

Deflect, deflect, deflect.

It make me believe there must be a Thai definition of Karma: It's always the fault of someone else.

[trainman34014]

Strange that he doesn't offer a proper explanation for the cause of the downgrading; if it wasn't watchmans fault then whose fault ?

 

I've always understood that the buck stops at the Skippers doorstep; it is he who bears the ultimate blame for everything !

[sammieuk1]

The National Anti-Corruption Commission takes a commission on all favourable decisions more like ????

[ChrisY1]

Just open the books general....simple as that, and Thailand would likely shoot to the top of the index!

[ChrisY1]

All corrupt countries will express the disapproval of the index....even Hun Sen, Maduro and Trump!

[zyxwv]

borrowed 20 watches.....You have got to be kidding.

[owl sees all]

6 minutes ago, zyxwv said:

borrowed 20 watches.....You have got to be kidding.

So, did no one ask him what the reason for the downgrading was? Given that it was not, in his (Chan-o-cha) opinion, the watches.

[madmitch]

If it's not the watch scandal then it's something else. Isn't that even worse? Doesn't that show that general corruption has worsened?

[robblok]

Of course did it influence the score as did many other things. Corruption is too wide spread in this country. Lets see how the next government will do.

 

I am amazed he did not call the figures fake. 

[outsider]

Yup, nothing to do with old fatty and everything to do with you, general sir!

 

[Lucius verus]

Khun  Gumpy couldn't lie straight in bed. Military brass  seeking 30% commissions on submarine and tank contracts to boost their wealth prior to exiting parliament.

[phetphet]

1 hour ago, lamyai3 said:

 

The chap in the middle is doing a facepalm at the idea anyone could make such an outrageous claim. 

And Mr. P must be the one taking the snap. That's why his seat is empty.

 

[PatOngo]

We all live in a Chinese submarine

A Chinese submarine

Chinese submarine!

 

You all know the tune.

[Reigntax]

Can You just imagine Prayuths action if it was a Shinawatra who was caught with these watches rather than one of his cohort buddies.

[Vacuum]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

It was ruled that the watches were items borrowed from a friend. 

Yes, but nobody outside Thailand believe this.