Probe to be delayed if more luxury watches show up
THE National Anti-Corruption Commssion (NACC) said today (Jan. 8) that if more of Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan’s luxury watches show up, pushing up the current total from almost 20, it would lengthen the ongoing investigation, the Thai-language daily Matichon reported.
NACC president Pol. Gen. Watcharapol Prasarnrajakij said the agency’s officials will be checking the almost 20 luxury watches according to the various procedural steps and have to question witnesses and gather complete information about them.
He added that there need not be any public concern about this investigation because decision-making at the anti-graft watchdog is collective and any one person cannot influence the resolution one way or another.
Pol. Gen. Watcharapol added that Gen. Prawit never voiced his concern about this issue to him nor consulted him about the law on this matter.
According to The Nation, Pol. Gen. Watcharapol is a familiar face in the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). Soon after the 2014 coup, the NCPO promoted him from deputy police chief to acting police chief.
A few months later, the junta appointed him to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) before making him a deputy secretary-general to the prime minister attached to Gen. Prawit. He was appointed by the NLA to head the NACC a year later.
CAPTION:
Top: Gen. Prawit, right, displaying an extravagant watch and valuable ring as he shields his eyes during the photo-taking session at Government House recently, while at left is Pol. Gen. Watcharapol. Photo: Matichon
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