The case involves bribery allegations against some Thai Airways International, PTT, and PTT Exploration and Production Co Ltd officials.

The NACC had said last March that some 26 people including former ministers, chairmen, presidents and other senior officials would be questioned over the Thai Airways Rolls-Royce bribery case.

The UK-based Rolls-Royce had reportedly admitted to paying more than Bt1.2 billion in bribes to Thai officials in return for multi-billion-baht purchase orders for aircraft engines.

Worawit said the NACC had finished gathering about 80 per cent of evidence related to the case and had questioned about 60 per cent of those connected with the case. It has been coordinating with the UK to be able to proceed with criminal proceedings.

Regarding PTT and PTTEP, Worawit said the agency had been coordinating with the United States to be able to proceed with criminal charges. It had finished gathering about 60 per cent of evidence, Worawit said.

He said the NACC has no control over evidence that has to be provided by foreign agencies. It was hard to set a time frame, and it could only wait patiently for them to provide the related evidence, he added.

The Rolls-Royce bribery case was among other corruption cases on which the NACC provided updates at a press conference on Friday.

The NACC also revealed progress in the PTT Green Energy palm oil scandal in Indonesia, alleged unlawful renting of the Huai Mek public land in Khon Kaen province, and alleged corruption in the National Office of Buddhism’s temple restoration project from 2012-2015.

Worawit said the NACC has finished summoning 47 individuals in connection with the PTT Green Energy palm oil scandal. It has also been coordinating with Indonesia for related evidence and witnesses. The NACC expects to complete its investigation into the case within this year, Worawit said.

Regarding the temple restoration kickbacks scandal, the NACC has received complaints against 133 temples nationwide. It has completed its investigation into 12 temples, while 120 more are still under investigation. The NACC has charged some officials involved in the project at Wat Phanan Choeng in Ayutthaya, Worawit said.

He said in the Huai Mek public land scandal in Khon Kaen, some state officials were accused of helping a private entity illegally occupy the 31-rai plot of land.

The NACC had received a complaint last September and it is now investigating whether a land use permit is lawful or not, Worawit said.

General Prawit was notified on Thursday that he had 15 days to attend a meeting and explain how he came to possess the large diamond ring he wore at a Cabinet meeting last month, NACC secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said.

Because public interest is so keen in Prawit’s ring and more than a dozen high-priced wristwatches, Worawit said, it shouldn’t take long to get the answers and close the case – probably a matter of weeks.

Prawit had late last month submitted a letter to the commission explaining how he came to possess the watches and ring.

He was forced to do so after photos began circulating online and then in the news media of him wearing a sizable diamond ring and a Richard Mille watch that would have cost anywhere from Bt2 million to more than Bt10 million.

Citizens demanded to know how a military and government official earning less than Bt1 million a year could afford such accoutrements and whether he’d declared them as personal assets as required when he was appointed to the Cabinet.

Additional photos of Prawit wearing still more pricey watches on different occasions have since emerged – at least 15 timepieces by most counts, together worth more than Bt17 million.

Worawit declined to disclose the number of watches Prawit listed in his letter to the NACC, saying only that it was “as many as seen in the news”.

Prawit was at the centre of a scandal last year after flying to Hawaii with dozens of officials on a chartered jet. The flight, complete with caviar served as part of the meal, cost taxpayers more than Bt20 million.

Following an investigation by both the NACC and Office of Auditor General, the NACC declared there were no irregularities in that case.

“You know well that I would eliminate myself by saying anything now. We don’t know what the future will be like,” Prayut said during a New Year’s luncheon.

“But the process for becoming an outside PM is laid out by the charter. If parties cannot settle for a certain PM choice in the parliament, the charter opens a way for an outside PM to be proposed.

“This is to eliminate the possibility of coup starting. There won’t be a coup any more since an outside PM will be selected in the parliament,” the junta premier said.

So far, he continued, no one has yet proposed to him that he should be an outside PM candidate.

“Since I became PM, I’ve lost all my private life,” he muttered.

According to the 2017 constitution, after an election the parties in the House put forward a list of three PM candidates for a parliamentary vote. If no candidate receives a majority of votes, the Upper and Lower house may jointly “waive” selection of the PM from among party leaders and instead choose an outsider for the role.

With a new election mechanism, the majority of incoming MPs are expected to scatter among middle and small parties, while the whole Senate will be handpicked by the junta body, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

Given this arithmetic, political observers speculate that the influence of major parties will be weakened following the election and the influence of the junta perpetuated.

Prayut meanwhile doubled down on his recent claim that neither he nor the junta government were military based.

“If we’re really a military government, all of us have to come from the military. Instead, we consist of both military people and civilians because we are under special circumstance,” he said.

He also said criticism against a government headed by him “would not exist” if it really were a strong-handed military government.

“If I really used my power, would politicians be able to talk to me like that?” he asked rhetorically.

SEVERAL PUBLIC figures have shown an interest in purchasing the Bangkaew puppies at the centre of a controversy involving Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, while the premier has pleaded ignorance of the law concerning his promise to give the dogs to two Cabinet ministers

Prayut bought the three Bangkaew puppies from a local breeder during his Cabinet’s recent retreat in Phitsanulok. He later said he did not mean to commit any wrongdoing and would sell the dogs after a complaint was filed with Thailand’s graft-fighting agency by Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution.

The petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) sought an investigation to determine whether the prime minister had condoned violations of the anti-corruption regulation that prohibits public officials from accepting gifts valued at more than Bt3,000. The issue became known with some levity as “puppy-gate”.

Prayut and Bangkaew puppies during his field trip in Phitsanulok

Prayut previously had said he would give puppies to both Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda and Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikalya. The prime minister bought three young dogs belonging to the famous Bangkaew breed for Bt25,000, although the market price was Bt6,000 for each puppy.

Srisuwan said he would prefer purchasing two of the dogs from the premier to prevent exploitation of the law to benefit the premier’s Cabinet members.

Democrat Secretary-General Juti Krairiksh also expressed an interest in purchasing the dogs.

During a New Year meeting with reporters at Government House yesterday, Prayut said he just wished to show good will to the dog breeders and had not intended to breach the law.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the NACC was considering amending its regulation covering gifts worth up to Bt3,000 to bring them in line with new legislation.

The NACC had the authority to amend the regulation, he said, while adding that if the recipients refused to accept Prayut’s gifts, he would take the dogs himself. He added that he knew how to do so without violating the law.

The NACC, meanwhile, said it would have to ensure that it had jurisdiction to review recent controversies involving junta officials.

Suthi Boonmee, a director of the investigation and special affairs office, said the NACC would have to check the credibility of the account and then see if it had the authority to scrutinise the issue. Then the NACC would consider whether to consider the case, he said.

He added that it should not be too difficult to check the status of the case, given it had been a matter that garnered public interest over the past couple of days.

However, he said the agency had to consider whether it was within the NACC’s authority and whether it was a case involving “unusual wealth”. If it turned out to be a normal criminal case, the NACC would not have the authority to consider it, he added.

Regarding the possession of luxury watches by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Suthi said Prawit had already sent an explanatory letter to the agency. The agency was examining the letter and other evidence, such as the assets list Prawit declared upon taking office, he said.

The NACC will hold a press conference on the progress of cases under investigation, including Prawit’s case, tomorrow.

General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also serves as chief of the ruling junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said the confusion undermined his government’s efforts to tackle major issues.

“The efforts to deal with big issues have not succeeded. It’s because of lack of confidence in the government, and this affects the government’s stability,” he said.

“People have been confused and they ask what they had gained after three years of this government. What have you done over the past three years? You have to look at this point,” he told journalists at Government House.Journalists at the Government House beat take selfie shots with PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday

The prime minister hosted a New Year event for media representatives, which was also attended by many Cabinet members.

Prayut said the needs of people in the country must not be ignored. “If they didn’t want me to solve their problems, I would not have been allowed to be here until today,” he added.

The prime minister also criticised the country’s mass media for presenting little of substance, with much of its content based on gossip and useless issues from social media.

But Prayut said he did not consider himself an enemy of the media, although he asked them to change their attitude “like everybody else”.

During his lecture, the prime minister also displayed newspapers that he had read, criticising the headlines on their front pages.

Democrat legal team leader Wirat Kalayasiri said the party would ask the court to see if the order was in violation of the charter. He said that in the party’s view, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) could not use absolute power under Article 44 for this purpose, as the use of the power must be for reform or reconciliatory benefits, or for national security.

The order was signed by the Prayut with the NCPO’s acknowledgement.

Wirat said since the new Constitution was already in effect, Article 44, as provided in the interim charter, should be toned down, or at the least it should not contradict the charter.

The order requires party members to confirm their membership status within 30 days, a condition deemed to restrict people’s rights or add a burden on them which was not in keeping with the charter’s Article 26, Wirat said. The party would file the petition next Monday, he added.

Prayut, meanwhile, has not denied that he would continue to be the premier after the election, although he insists that no one has yet nominated him to be “an outsider PM”.

The PM described himself as a politician on Wednesday – the first time in his three years of leadership that he has conceded to being a politician, a label he has despised and blamed for “causing problems and conflicts” in the country.Chaturon Chaisang

Key Pheu Thai Party figure Chaturon Chaisang said that Prayut is attempting to legitimise himself for an opportunity to re-enter the post-election political arena.

While Prayut is a retired general, he still remains in military power as head of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), where the Army chief is merely a secretary-general. Such a status also grants him sweeping powers under Article 44, Chaturon said.

“If he uses the already built mechanisms and military support to linger in post-election power, that government would still be called a military [-installed] government,” the former deputy PM wrote on his Facebook post.

Independent academic Gothom Arya said Prayut’s remarks could indicate his intention to transform the military regime into a democratic power, where the junta-designed mechanisms would function, in order to maintain power.

“Given his improved attitude to politicians, this could imply a possible cooperation, directly or not, between Prayut and political parties,” Gothom said. “Still, it is too soon to evaluate whether Prayut would remain in future politics.” Abhisit Vejjajiva

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva supported Prayut’s move, as it would mark a distinction between politicians and military people. “It would be good to differentiate the roles of one from the other,” Abhisit said.

Although Prayut dodged the election timeline to depend on the legislative process of the organic laws, the ex-PM said that the NCPO, with sweeping powers over the legislative and jurisdiction branches, must be held responsible.

Chart Thai Pattana Party’s key figure Varawut Silpa-archa said that Prayut’s words could reflect his improved understanding of national administration, which could not be run in a military style.

“It means that he has become more flexible. It’s also a good sign as politicians are often branded as evil,” he said. “With this good start, hopefully he can keep the promise to hold the election later this year.”

Meechai Ruchuphan

Chief charter drafter Meechai Ruchuphan said that Prayut’s words merely reflected his current status as a political office holder. “I also believe that he would not turn into a professional politician,” the junta-appointed drafter said.

Former junta-appointed reformer Paiboon Nititawan praised Prayut’s move as alleviating hatred against military people in the political arena.

“Prayut’s remarks should open and clarify his position more as he is always targeted by politicians as a military representative,” said Paiboon, who added that he is looking forward to setting up a pro-Prayut political party.

THE JUNTA’S popularity rating has touched the lowest level since it came to power following a military coup in May 2014, hitting lows seen by the civilian government that it overthrew, according to the results of the latest survey by security agencies.

The good news for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was it enjoyed higher popularity in the Northeast where most supporters of the ousted Pheu Thai-led government live, the opinion poll found. In some northeastern provinces, such as Nakhon Phanom, the junta’s popularity has doubled. This could be due to the benefits reaped by residents under junta rule, including higher rice prices. However, in other provinces in the region, such as Roi Et and Kalasin, there were only small improvements.

The NCPO saw its popularity fall in the North and Central regions, and particularly in the South where much of its support came after it seized power. Support in the South has dwindled as the NCPO-led government failed to prop up falling rubber prices while getting tough with fishermen and power plant protesters.Prayut during his recent field trips

In the latest survey conducted on residents in all 77 provinces after three years in power, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government got an average approval score of 5.73, out of 10. That compared with the 5.28 approval rating for the Yingluck Shinawatra government shortly before the coup of 2014.

After the first survey during the Yingluck administration, similar surveys were carried out six months, one year, two years and three years after the junta came to power.

The junta saw its highest approval rating six months after the coup, with 7.02. The rating fell to 6.15 a year after the coup, recovered slightly to 6.48 the following year, and declined again to 5.73 in the latest survey three years after the power seizure.

The latest survey found that many respondents experienced economic insecurity. And they were still bogged down by problems related to well-being, safety and crime, as well as political conflicts. These factors were seen as the reasons why the junta’s ratings had fallen to its lowest level since it came to power.

Protestors assembled against construction of Thepa power plant during the mobile Cabinet to the South 

According to the survey, people want the government to focus on tackling problems related to well-being, as they felt there had been no improvements. The respondents pointed to the rise in unemployment, the falling agricultural prices, as well as the rising cost of living. Also, they wanted the government to take more care of the grassroots people who are the most vulnerable when facing those problems.

On social issues, respondents wanted the government to give priority to tackling problems related to drugs and vice, which they viewed as the root cause of all crimes. They believe tackling those problems would help boost people’s safety. The people surveyed also called for sufficient welfare for the elderly, the disabled, and the non-privileged.

On political issues, the survey respondents asked the government to tackle corruption fairly, with no bias towards any groups of people. Also, those surveyed wanted the junta to tackle the problems of political provocation, hate speech and fake news that often led to social division and even violence.

The respondents also called for fair enforcement of the law and reform of the justice system, to ensure that all groups of people are treated equally. They also wanted the government to encourage more public participation in many areas possible, including the fight against corruption and the formulation of government policies.

The public opinions were gathered by relevant security agencies as part of the junta’s project to encourage reconciliation and unity following years of severe political conflicts.

Nurhayati Masoh shared an article by fugitive pro-democracy academic Giles Ungpakorn on her Facebook account, according to the Muslim Attorney Centre’s Facebook.

She confessed it, and the sentence against her was reduced from the original decision of three years.

Nurhayati had accessed Facebook using an application that assists people with a visual impairment to do so.

Reportedly, she was reported by blind people in her Facebook circle.

NACC commissioner Preecha Lertkamolmas said the NACC meeting was told that Prawit had already submitted a letter explaining the origins of the watches.

Asked whether the letter had detailed the watches and the third party, Preecha said it is as reported in the news.

Preecha declined to confirm that they had belonged to a “friend” as referred to in media reports. The NACC would hold a press conference today, he said.

Photos of Prawit wearing several luxurious watches on different occasions went viral on social media beginning over two weeks ago. The controversy began after he was spotted December 4 wearing what appeared to be a silver-and-black Richard Mille watch and diamond ring during a group photo with the reshuffled Cabinet at Government House.

While the items appear to be worth millions of baht, he failed to disclose them to the NACC in his assets disclosure as required.