Citizens frown at NACC decision clearing Prawit in luxury watch case

[webfact]

Citizens frown at NACC decision clearing Prawit in luxury watch case

By The Nation

 

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan

 

The decision by the anti-graft agency to clear Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan in a high-profile corruption allegation over luxury goods has stirred a debate among netizens about the justice system.

 

“Many people had anticipated the final outcome to be in favour of the high-profile minister, but they still are baffled by the reason given by the National Anti-Corruption Commission [NACC],” Mana Nimitmongkol, secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, a civil campaign group, said on Sunday (May 31).

 

His comment comes after the NACC said that Prawit's borrowing of a luxury watch does not violate the corruption law.

 

The NACC’s letter related to the controversial minister was widely circulated among netizens over the past few days and drew a lot of criticism of double standards practised by the law enforcement agency.

 

The letter dated May 25, 2020 is a response to former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana who in January last year filed a complaint to the NACC asking the anti-graft agency to investigate the allegation.

 

Prawit had been found wearing a luxury watch and a diamond ring in a group photo of the new Cabinet in December 2017. The public demanded an explanation as the luxury items were not on the list of his Bt87.4-million wealth declared to the NACC in September 2014. 

 

Prawit, who was then also Defence Minister, repeatedly claimed that he had borrowed the watch from his friend and the diamond ring belonged to his mother.

 

Mana said he was disappointed by the NACC's decision.

 

“Are we adhering to the rule of law or do we simply use it to favour some influential people?, ” he asked.

 

Law academics and judges must debate on this important matter, he suggested.

 

He lamented that corruption remains widespread in Thailand despite the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration promising reform since the 2014 coup.

 

Thailand ranks very low in the anti-corruption index ratings of Transparency International’s 2019 Corruption Perception Index in which Thailand ranked 101, dropping from 99 the year before.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388835

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-01

 

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[Chelseafan]

Wow, who could see this coming?

 

Everyone, that's who

 

Amazing Thailand

[Thaiwrath]

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Are we adhering to the rule of law or do we simply use it to favour some influential people?, ” he asked.

That important saying............................. T.I.T. !

Another <deleted> disgrace.

Edited May 31, 2020 by Thaiwrath

[Thechook]

He's mother must have really chubby fingers and has he returned these watches to the friend who's name he couldn't remember.

[Canuck1966]

This creature is the embodiment of Thai entitled corruption

Ugly to the bone, inside and out

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“Are we adhering to the rule of law or do we simply use it to favour some influential people?, ” he asked.

he can't be seriously asking this question; this is thailand; there is no rule of law; only favorites and all-others

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“Are we adhering to the rule of law or do we simply use it to favour some influential people?, ” he asked.

Well of course, you don't think they are there to enhance the life of peasants, do you?

[Thailand]

Amazing TRUSTED Thailand.

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

Amazing TRUSTED Thailand.

But........I borrowed the watches from a friend.....then he died! Trust me!

[colinneil]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

His comment comes after the NACC said that Prawit's borrowing of a luxury watch does not violate the corruption law.

As i say many times, no better way to start the day, than with a good laugh.

Reading the above statement is just laughable that the clowns expect people to believe he did not break corruption law.

[Borzandy]

Who can be surprised, corruption is the base of Thai civilisation.

[Chang_paarp]

3 hours ago, Thechook said:

He's mother must have really chubby fingers and has he returned these watches to the friend who's name he couldn't remember.

He did remember the friend's name, unfortunately the friend had died some time before.

[Somtamnication]

Not surprised, this "time". The "time" has not yet come for Thailand to have a truly transparent government and policing.

[BobbyL]

3 hours ago, Canuck1966 said:

This creature is the embodiment of Thai entitled corruption

Ugly to the bone, inside and out

Absolutely. A complete abomination of a man.

 

Had he been born in a normal democratic society he would be a no - mark military bootlicker, however here he is a multi millionaire government official. 

[soalbundy]

26 minutes ago, Chang_paarp said:

He did remember the friend's name, unfortunately the friend had died some time before.

Like before he borrowed the watches

[TheFishman1]

No surprise here TIT

[Just1Voice]

the luxury items were not on the list of his Bt87.4-million wealth declared to the NACC in September 2014. 

 

And how, other than through total corruption, does a military man amass a wealth of Bt87.4-million???

 

[Khun Paul]

IN a very short statement I will explain these findings : PURE B/S …..!

[apetryxx]

So KoolKarl wants Thais to react the same way as blacks in the U.S.. How’s that Karl, looting, rioting, destroying public and private property? Great example.

[bougnat]

In my country ( France ), no watches, no " waves ", but corruption everywhere too !

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The decision by the anti-graft agency to clear Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan in a high-profile corruption allegation over luxury goods has stirred a debate among netizens about the justice system.

There is no justice.... justice begins when the courts are above influential people, not in their back pocket !

[andygrr]

His mum must have had big fingers.

[johnarth]

open and shut, straight forward case, and the court denied it, what more can you say? brown envelopes please

[DPKANKAN]

5 hours ago, Chelseafan said:

Wow, who could see this coming?

 

Everyone, that's who

 

Amazing Thailand

And good timing again. Before the Country gets going again!!????????????????????????????????

[northsouthdevide]

There was never going to be any other outcome. 

[Dukeleto]

Only frown...well thats why it simply keeps on happening.

[dallen52]

I have a nice omega seamaster 007 model. 

He can have it for 2000 baht. 

About as genuine as his excuse..

 

A bit like himself.

Looks the part but totally phoney. 

[Moo 2]

Na,na, lying is also a criminal offence. "May I borrow your Ferrari Mate, will bring it back in a couple of years"

 

"If you own a gun you can rob a bank, but if you own a bank you can rob everyone". 

[Expat Tom]

Did you actually expect a different outcome ? This is not a Thailand problem. This is a worldwide problem. There is a two tiered justice system in the West as well as in Asia. There is one set of rules for those of power and privilege and another set you you and me. 

[dallen52]

1 hour ago, Just1Voice said:

the luxury items were not on the list of his Bt87.4-million wealth declared to the NACC in September 2014. 

 

And how, other than through total corruption, does a military man amass a wealth of Bt87.4-million???

 

Suppose when you add the double salary, military  and government official, and the government provided home, and quite possibly the BMW, if he was on the recipient's list?

(There was a swathe of them purchased several years ago for high ranking officials, but the whereabouts are a bit vague now) and add the government vehicle. 

 

Wonder who does his tax return?