Thailand's NRC chief backs NACC decision against asset declaration

[webfact]

NRC chief backs NACC decision against asset declaration
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Elected National Reform Council (NRC) chairman Thienchay Kiranandana said yesterday that he supported the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)'s decision that NRC members will not be required to declare their assets and liabilities.

NACC, which has the duty of deciding who is required to file an asset declaration, made a unanimous decision on Tuesday that it was not necessary for NRC members to declare their assets.

NACC member Vicha Mahakun said the commission had decided that NRC members' duties were mostly academic and that council members would use their knowledge and experience to introduce reforms and that their work had no interests involved.

"I actually have no problem filing my asset declaration because I have done that 16 times,'' Thienchay said.

When asked if this matter should be taken to court, Thienchay said he believed the NRC should stick with NACC's decision, otherwise it will give rise to legal disputes.

Meanwhile, deputy Democrat Party leader Nipit Intarasombat said the NACC's decision was "outright unreasonable", adding that he backed a former Pheu Thai Party MP's call for NRC members to declare their wealth and liabilities.

"It's very rare that I agree with a Pheu Thai member," he said.

Nipit also pointed out that the interim charter's Article 37 gave NRC members the power to decide whether the new Constitution should be promulgated. NRC members who have a hand in drafting the charter are not allowed to assume a political post for two years.

"An NRC member's position is very significant and involves huge interests, so why should people who have the duty of reforming the country behave like they have something to hide? The public is likely to lose faith and trust in the NACC and the NRC over this issue,'' he said.

In comparison, the NACC had earlier decided that National Legislative Assembly (NLA) members were required under the National Anti-Corruption Act to declare their assets and liabilities to the anti-graft body and the public before taking office and after stepping down.

However, some 28 NLA members last month took the matter to the Administrative Court, which rejected the petition saying that NLA members had to comply with NACC's decision as their job was equivalent to that of an MP or senator.

The group then filed an appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court saying that there was no provision in the interim charter demanding that NLA members declare their assets. However, the higher court upheld the lower court's decision.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NRC-chief-backs-NACC-decision-against-asset-declar-30246083.html

-- The Nation 2014-10-23

[NongKhaiKid]

Absolutely no shame, we'll make laws, rules and regulations for others to follow but we of course are above it all.

Somethings don't change and never will.

[lomatopo]

This is as it should be.

Asking Good People to reveal their assets is an insult to their status and position. Doing so will only cause division in society.

It is very un-Thai to question the motives of the Amart; they only want to reform Thailand.

Edited October 23, 2014 by lomatopo

[Thanet]

One rule for them, another rule for everyone else.

What a bunch of hypocrites.

[HUAHIN62]

It's only the start, it will get worse until the people had enough. All civil servants and politicians (including NRC) should declare their assets on a annual basis and random checks should be made. What are they hiding ?

[whybother]

It's only the start, it will get worse until the people had enough. All civil servants and politicians (including NRC) should declare their assets on a annual basis and random checks should be made. What are they hiding ?

The idea of the asset declarations is to check assets at the start and end of tenure to ensure that you don't make money from being in the position. The asset declarations are not to check where you got your current assets. It might be nice if it worked like that, but it doesn't and never has, even for politicians who were previously in the police or army.

Please tell me how the NRC members can gain financially from their positions on the NRC.

[Tatsujin]

It makes zero difference what they declare . . . cos it's all lies anyway and they don't seem bothered to look too deeply into things in 99.99% of the cases.

[lomatopo]

It's only the start, it will get worse until the people had enough. All civil servants and politicians (including NRC) should declare their assets on a annual basis and random checks should be made. What are they hiding ?

The idea of the asset declarations is to check assets at the start and end of tenure to ensure that you don't make money from being in the position. The asset declarations are not to check where you got your current assets. It might be nice if it worked like that, but it doesn't and never has, even for politicians who were previously in the police or army.

Please tell me how the NRC members can gain financially from their positions on the NRC.

Exactly, and even if they could somehow rig the systems by instituting reforms, or drafting a Constitution which cemented their birthrights to rule over the masses, or which benefited them going forward, they would never do this as they are Good People.

It's really only these upstarts, serfs, riff-raff from the provinces who need to be subject to extra scrutiny as we all know they are uneducated and will steal anything they can.

[JOC]

New bottles, same old wine!!

[whybother]

Exactly, and even if they could somehow rig the systems by instituting reforms, or drafting a Constitution which cemented their birthrights to rule over the masses, or which benefited them going forward, they would never do this as they are Good People.

It's really only these upstarts, serfs, riff-raff from the provinces who need to be subject to extra scrutiny as we all know they are uneducated and will steal anything they can.

How does an asset declaration stop them from "cementing their birthrights to rule over the masses" or "benefiting them going forward".

When they finish their job, they would make another asset declaration. Anything they make after that isn't checked.

[tx22cb]

A bit worrying - a Democrat agreeing with a Phuea Thai.

Or has Uncle General succeeded in uniting the sparring Parties?

As they say, your enemy's enemy .....

[lomatopo]

Exactly, and even if they could somehow rig the systems by instituting reforms, or drafting a Constitution which cemented their birthrights to rule over the masses, or which benefited them going forward, they would never do this as they are Good People.

It's really only these upstarts, serfs, riff-raff from the provinces who need to be subject to extra scrutiny as we all know they are uneducated and will steal anything they can.

How does an asset declaration stop them from "cementing their birthrights to rule over the masses" or "benefiting them going forward".

When they finish their job, they would make another asset declaration. Anything they make after that isn't checked.

It doesn't. I was agreeing with you.

The NRC is an august body, made up of only Good People, and Royally endorsed. To suggest that they would do anything to benefit themselves, or those in their same social strata, is an insult to them. Examining their assets is wholly uncalled for, and would only create division within society.

[whybother]

Exactly, and even if they could somehow rig the systems by instituting reforms, or drafting a Constitution which cemented their birthrights to rule over the masses, or which benefited them going forward, they would never do this as they are Good People.

It's really only these upstarts, serfs, riff-raff from the provinces who need to be subject to extra scrutiny as we all know they are uneducated and will steal anything they can.

How does an asset declaration stop them from "cementing their birthrights to rule over the masses" or "benefiting them going forward".

When they finish their job, they would make another asset declaration. Anything they make after that isn't checked.

It doesn't. I was agreeing with you.

The NRC is an august body, made up of only Good People, and Royally endorsed. To suggest that they would do anything to benefit themselves, or those in their same social strata, is an insult to them. Examining their assets is wholly uncalled for, and would only create division within society.

"I was agreeing with you." yeah ... right.

[pookiki]

If the junta is interested in showing a modicum of transparency and accountability, it could easily order that all members of the NRC and the NLA declare their assets. On the flip side, those who have accepted the responsibility should voluntarily offer a full disclosure of their assets and the manner in which they were acquired. Isn't leading by example part of the current political environment? Isn't integrity a value to be exhibited?

[MobileContent]

It's only the start, it will get worse until the people had enough. All civil servants and politicians (including NRC) should declare their assets on a annual basis and random checks should be made. What are they hiding ?

A very valid point indeed. As corruption is everywhere all civil servants should have to declare their assets. I mean this is a farce that the NRC doesn't need to to declare their assets and ednorsed and fixed by the NACC.

[rickirs]

Now we see the true limits of NACC's investigation into corruption. Anyone who is not connected with the Junta through direct employment or indirectly through appointment can be investigated to the full extent of its authority, including direct prosecution in lieu of the Attorney General's Office. But conversely, anyone who is connected with the Junta through direct employment or indirectly through appointment will not be investigated because such persons can be expected to be honest.

Whatever happened to the idea of reform that brings EQUALITY and FAIRNESS to the Thai society? What we see from NACC's acquiecence with asset reporting for NRC and NCPO is a continuation of a two-tier system of justice within Thai society: the Haves who hold true power and the Haves Not who hold no power. And right now the Haves represent less than 10% of the electorate.

[Mister Fixit]

What are they hiding ?

Well, not their huge mansions illegally built on Government land, that's for sure - they are so big they stick out like a sore thumb ...

Edited October 23, 2014 by Mister Fixit

[Robespiere]

All these committees and councils are really just the same incestuous bunch of corrupt and unelectable usurpers out to line their own pockets - only the acronyms vary.

[MobileContent]

And I wonder if the big boss of NACC has declared his assets.

When I hear NACC I could puke as they are part of the problem Thailand has today and with these clowns at the EC I can only guess they are Pratum 5 students

[Acharn]

Meanwhile, deputy Democrat Party leader Nipit Intarasombat said the NACC's decision was "outright unreasonable", adding that he backed a former Pheu Thai Party MP's call for NRC members to declare their wealth and liabilities.

It's very rarely I agree with a statement from a member of the Democrat Party, but this is one such occasion. Pleasant surprise. Actually, back in the '90s when Chuan Leekphai was the party leader I quite admired the Democrat Party. Suthep was already troublesome back then.

[outsider]

Who said Thailand is a case of 'right hand not talking to the left hand'??? Here they're going hand-in-hand!

[jayboy]

Exactly, and even if they could somehow rig the systems by instituting reforms, or drafting a Constitution which cemented their birthrights to rule over the masses, or which benefited them going forward, they would never do this as they are Good People.

It's really only these upstarts, serfs, riff-raff from the provinces who need to be subject to extra scrutiny as we all know they are uneducated and will steal anything they can.

How does an asset declaration stop them from "cementing their birthrights to rule over the masses" or "benefiting them going forward".

When they finish their job, they would make another asset declaration. Anything they make after that isn't checked.

It's interesting that slavish adherents to military dictatorship on this forum seem to be losing touch with their kindred spirits who supported the coup but have retained their ability to think critically.An example is today's editorial in the Bangkok Post (hardly a Thaksinite redshirt rag) which annihilates the argument that the NRC members should not have to declare their assets - pointing out inter alia it is highly naive to think the NRC will not be lobbied by big business or high level bureaucrats.The editorial goes on to make some well thought out criticisms of the Junta and its government approach/policies.The relevant point is that the government's failures (in the instance the lack of transparency in the NRC) is being harshly condemned by the government's own supporters.

Not so on Thai Visa where the Junta's cheerleaders are abject slaves sucking up the lies and hypocrisy,never using such critical faculties they possess and treating the militarty dictatorship's outpourings as if they were holy writ.