PM urged to push customs to check Gen. Prawit’s watches
A FORMER senator and member of Pheu Thai Party today (Jan. 30) handed in a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s office urging him to push Customs Department to check Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s luxury watches for tax payment, the Thai-language daily Matichon reported.
In the letter Mr Ruangkrai Leekijwattana submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office he said that customs officials should check the 25 luxury watches which Gen. Prawit has been seen wearing at the same level they have done with handbags, watches and cars of some stars to ascertain whether proper import and VAT taxes have been paid.
Mr Ruengkrai added that even though the National Anti-Corruption Commission agrees that Gen Prawit could have borrowed the posh timepieces from his friends, but as they are expensive it has to be checked whether or not they have been imported correctly and taxes paid.
He added that if taxes have been dodged then the government loses tens of millions of baht not including fine. However, as customs officials would not dare to impound these watches, Prime Minister Prayut should order Gen. Prawit to cooperate in handing over the watches and telling them which friends they belong to.
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Top: File photo show Gen Prawit wearing a luxury watch.
In-text: Mr Ruangkrai talking to the press today. Photo: Matichon
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