DEPUTY PM General Prawit Wongsuwan has submitted a letter explaining his possession of luxurious watches and a diamond ring, which he failed to include in his assets declaration to the anti-graft agency.

The letter named a third party who would be called upon to testify in the case, according to the anti-graft agency, the National Anti-Corruption Commission yesterday.

A meeting of the NACC yesterday was told that Prawit had submitted his letter to the agency as required, said Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, the NACC president, and the commission was now examining the letter in detail. Photos of Prawit wearing several luxurious watches on different occasions went viral on social media beginning two weeks ago.

The controversy began after he was spotted 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 on December 4.

While the items appear to be worth several million baht, he had failed to mention them to the NACC in his assets disclosure.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said last week that his deputy’s possession of expensive watches was a personal matter, but no one could spare him if he was found guilty.

NACC secretary-general Worawit Sookboon said yesterday that the issue concerns a third party, so the NACC would summon the party to testify early next year.

Luxurious watches other than the watch first exposed during the Cabinet group photo-taking would also be subject to the agency’s probe, Worawit said, but declined to confirm either the number of watches Prawit possesses or to make public the deputy PMs explanation letter. Worawit affirmed that the NACC would hold a press conference once the fact-finding has been completed, citing the issue as being in the public interest.

The NACC normally initiates an assets scrutiny probe following procedures outlined by the NACC law. In the event of a complaint or the surfacing of sufficient grounds to warrant a probe, such as reports in the media, the NACC would initiate a probe to verify the facts. When assets are transferred between people, a more in-depth investigation is warranted.

Prawit’s case, said Worawit, falls in to the second type of probe by the NACC.

Worawit also declined to say whether the first watch to be publicly questioned had belonged to a friend of Prawit who had already passed away, as the issue is still being investigated by authorities.

Worawit also dismissed the notion that Prawit would receive help from the NACC due to his close relationship with NACC President Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit. Worawit said the anti-corruption organisation is obliged to do their job following the law, and people should have trust in it.

In a related development, the NACC has disclosed assets of two junta ministers and a junta member of the National Legislative Assembly. Political office holders, when first entering office and also within one year of leaving office, are required to declare their assets to the NACC under the NACC law.

Former Labour Minister General Sirichai Distakul, who was required to report his assets within one year of leaving office, along with his partner, have assets worth Bt108.75 million and no debts. That is a Bt16.67 million increase from when he first took office, at which time he declared about Bt92.07 million, and is the value of his new house. Sirichai also possesses 12 declared watches, some of which are reportedly worth Bt1.8 million each.

New deputy Defence Minister General Charnchai Changmongkol, who had left the National Legislative Assembly to take the post, along with his partner, have assets worth Bt30.38 million, and no debts. That is a Bt3.71 million increase from when he first entered the NLA.

General Teerachai Nakwanich, a former member of the NLA who has been out of office for one year, along with his partner have assets worth Bt77.66 million, and no debts. That is a Bt10.66 decrease in assets from when he first entered the office, which were around Bt88.32 million. It is the value of his new house. Teerachai also possesses two ivories worth Bt542,500.

The reporters said they would like to convey the message that Yaksa, a Thai mythical guardian, has several faces like Prayut, who is responsible for various duties. The Yaksa also has several hearts hidden in several places, so it cannot be killed easily, the reporters added.

PM Prayut thanked them for giving him the card. The premier said his heart is with the Thai people and the media, whom he urged to convey good messages between the government and the people.

He also blessed them with the Barami (a great power) of the Buddhist Three refuges, as well as invoking the late King and other royal members to help protect them and bless them with success.

PM Prayut also released his own New Year’s card featuring Thai Khu Fah and its newly constructed twin building, Bhakdee Bordin

“I insist that I have no deal with anyone. My duty today is to stabilise the country but in the future it’s your choice to choose which party you want to stay with. Either with the government-led party or the opposition camp,” the premier said on Friday.

Prayut was responding to a photo posted on the Facebook account of Pheu Thai key figure Watana Muangsuk on Thursday which showed Prayut and Deputy PM Chatchai Sarikulya posing with siblings from the Sasomsub family which has a strong political base in Nakhon Pathom.

Four siblings from the family are in the photo – Padermchai, Chaiyos, Anucha and Chaiya Sasomsub. They are politicians of Pheu Thai Party.

Watana did not post a caption or the date the photo was taken.

Prayut said he could not remember when he met the Sasomsub family, but said that he went to play golf at a golf course in the province. The family members were already there and maybe the course owner, too, he said.

“If I want to make a deal I would have done it secretly and not in a crowded location,” he said.

Asked if the photo was a coincidence given the reports about a party being founded to support his continuing as prime minister after the next election, Prayut pleaded with the public to not be “so paranoid”.

He said many people ask him to pose for a photo with them and he could not refuse their request.

“I can go anywhere and am ready to meet anyone,” he said. “You should not think it is deal making. Otherwise, I could have not gone anywhere.”

He added that as there are currently no politicians, he has to visit and take care of people in the provinces.

A meeting of the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday was informed that Prawit had submitted his letter to the agency as required, said Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, the NACC president.

The commission is now examining the letter in detail, Watcharapol said, and would possibly hold a press conference on the issue as early as Friday..

Photos of Prawit wearing several luxurious watches on different occasions went viral on social media beginning two weeks ago.

The controversy began after he was spotted 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 on December 4.

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

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said last week that his deputy’s possession of expensive watches was a personal matter, but no one could spare him if he was found guilty.

Pornpetch said political parties could petition the Constitutional Court if they believed that the order violated the rights addressed under Article 26 of the charter.

Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday filed a petition to nullify the order by junta chief Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, and the Democrat Party has said it would submit a similar petition.

However, the charter itself has a provisional chapter allowing continued use of Article 44, Pornpetch said. He declined to comment whether the use of Article 44 to amend the law contradicted the rule of law.

He said the law, if it had flaws, needed to be amended but that would take time as it would require NLA public hearings under Article 77 of the charter, Pornpetch said, rejecting the notion that the country was being run under one person’s orders.

“No, it’s not like that. Power has been shared to concerned agencies and we perform following the authority we have been given,” said Pornpetch.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai posted on Facebook yesterday, asking people in power when they would return power to the people.

He also raised five critical questions, asking whether or not they viewed democracy as being based on their discretion and judgement or as instead connected to the rule of law.

Phumtham also questioned whether it was legal to use power without limits through the use of Article 44 when there was a charter in place as the country’s supreme law.

Phumtham added that the junta government had previously asked people to wait “not too long” for a return to democracy.

The military government had been engineering new structures to govern society while filling vacancies with people whose qualifications for the jobs were questionable, he wrote, asking whether that was advancing the junta and its own goals rather than those of the country.

What the junta was doing, he said, had prompted people to feel damage was being done to the country, and particularly to democracy, which was seen as being undermined by the junta’s acts. Phumtham asked whether that was for the junta’s own benefit as well as its cronies, and whether it would be held responsible for the damage being done.

Phumtham said if the junta really wanted to enter politics and continue to wield power after the election, he believed that politicians would welcome their participation in a fair game.

The question was whether or nor the junta was ready to prove itself, he said.

Phumtham also urged the junta to “come clean” on his questions and establish fair rules for all to help it reclaim integrity and the confidence of the public, he said.

PRIVY Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha might have run out of support when the premier made a New Year’s visit yesterday.

“Tu has almost used up all of his supporting force. You almost don’t have any support left,” the 97-year-former prime minister said, calling Prayut by his nickname. “But if you can demonstrate goodwill to Thai people, your support will automatically come.”

“I believe Tu can do that. Everyone can do that,” he said. “The most important thing is behaving yourselves as a good example for Thai people, showing them how good Thai people are.”

While it is not unusual for the two retired generals to meet, it is rare for Prem to point out what could be seen as Prayut’s political flaws.

Opinion polls regarding the 63-year-old junta premier have fluctuated during his three-year premiership, which could come to an end next year if Prayut’s promise of an election in November is fulfilled.

The junta government claims maintaining security and a fast legislative process demonstrate its successful performance. Yet political observers said that has been achieved by tight repression, especially against political differences, and handpicked legislators.

Meanwhile, although having ended his eight-year premiership in 1989, Prem remains an influential figure whom every premier since has visited at his Si Sao Thewes residence on special occasions.

The tradition has been strictly kept by Prayut, who yesterday led Cabinet members and military leaders to bless last year’s Regent Pro Tempore in light of the new year.

“2018 should be a year of success to bring the country to a sustainable peace,” Prayut said

“You, as Privy Council president and statesman, have been a model to us all,” he said. “We are determined to follow what you once said: ‘Once we are born, we have to repay the country no matter what our status is.’”

Among the agendas raised by Prayut were reducing economic inequality as well as loyalty to the monarchy and all Royal Family members.

“We always adhere to maintain stability of the [monarchical] institution and will do everything to create acceptance … on what we will cooperate on to move the country forward,” he said.

Officials visiting Prem yesterday included Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda, the PM’s secretary-general General Vilas Aroonsri and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

Later in the day, Prayut also visited Prawit to give him a New Year’s blessing. “I would like him to stay healthy and strong to perform our duties at our best,” Prayut said. “From previous years to next year, we will pave a strong foundation for the country’s sustainability.”

Prawit, who has been heavily criticised after being photographed wearing a series of luxury watches, spurring questions about his “unusual wealth”, also almost received a visit by activist Ekachai Hongkangwan.

Ekachai was stopped as he was waiting for Prawit in front of Prem’s residence to give a Bt1,000 watch to the minister in what was seen as a political statement.

Police officers escorted him away from the area without pressing any charges or detaining him.

Pornpetch said political parties could petition the Constitutional Court if they believe that the order violates the rights addressed under Article 26 of the charter. The Pheu Thail Party on Wednesday filed a petition to nullify the order by junta chief Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, and the Democrat Party has said it would submit a similar petition in the New Year.

However, the charter itself has a provisional chapter allowing continued use of Article 44, Pornpetch said.

Pornpetch declined to comment whether the use of Article 44 to amend the law contradicts the rule of law. He said the law, if it had flaws, needed to be amended.

To amend the political law by the National Legislative Assembly would take time as it would require public hearings under Article 77 of the charter, Pornpetch said, rejecting the notion that the country is now being run under one person’s orders.

“No, it’s not like that. Power has been shared out to concerned agencies and we perform following the authority we have been our given,” said Pornpetch.

PRESSURE IS MOUNTING on junta chief Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over the use of his absolute powers to amend the Political Party Act in an apparent bid to give the junta the upper hand in the election.

Heavyweight political parties yesterday continued to protest last week’s Article 44 order, whose amendments to the act are viewed as not only depriving existing parties of their constitutionally guaranteed rights but also violating the charter’s endorsement of political liberty.

Pheu Thai Party legal officer Ruangkrai Leekijwattana yesterday filed a petition to the Constitutional Court to nullify the order and consider whether Prayut had curbed political rights by issuing such an order using his sweeping powers.

The Democrat Party said earlier that it also planned to submit a petition, with details to be disclosed, to the court after the New Year holidays.

Ruangkrai said the order could breach the military-sponsored charter’s Article 45, which prohibits outsiders from having command over political parties, and Article 77, which stipulates how legislation should be enacted.

The order authorises the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to respond to parties’ queries about laws on elections or political parties, as well as enables organisations under the NCPO to have discussions with the Election Committee on the process ahead of the election.

“If this order continues to exist, Article 44 power will be used further to amend or issue laws without going through the parliamentary mechanism,” he said.

The party also issued a statement urging the NCPO to lift order No 53/2560, as well as its political bans, because they could potentially defer the election date and weaken the membership of existing parties.

Among points of concern is the requirement for all party members to submit proof of qualifications and pay membership fees within 30 days. The major parties regard this obligation as equivalent to forcing members to reapply, effectively resetting party memberships. It would be impossible for parties with hundreds of thousands members – or millions, in the case of the Democrats – to verify all their members’ qualifications within a month.

The order also requires parties to hold meetings within 90 days after the lifting of the NCPO ban on political gathering of five or more people. However, it does not say when this ban will be lifted and whether it will be lifted in enough time for parties to prepare for the election. “This could become an excuse for the NCPO to have the election deferred,” the statement said. However, the order allows new parties to hold meetings immediately, which is unfair to existing parties, the Democrat Party statement said.

The statement also said the junta order violated the Constitution – regarded as the country’s highest law – by amending an act without deliberation by the National Legislative Assembly, which is now effectively the parliament.

The charter allowed Article 44 power to be exercised to create reforms and unity or curb activities that disturb peace, order and stability of the country’s economy or governance – but this order did not fall into those categories, it said. Instead, it just fixed problems created by the junta’s own political ban.

“As the NCPO also holds the position of prime minister, which is a political position, issuing such an order is an attempt to leverage power to gain a political advantage, which violates good governance,” it added.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party’s petition should focus on conflicting points of the order that would violate not only existing laws but also principles of good governance.

“This order does not help alleviate the political ban as claimed. Instead, it tends to create even more locks,” he said. “The increase in its new timelines will trouble both existing and emerging parties.”

While his party did not have problems with new parties or the primary voting system in the act, the use of the absolute power conflicted with the government’s messages about transparency and accountability, he said.

Outgoing election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn also predicted a “big ripple” in politics in April next year as the deadline to update party membership lists begins.

The junta has said the order is aimed at preventing voters from becoming members of more than one party, but Somchai insisted that there could be not be a duplication in party member lists because his agency’s database would be able to track membership.

POTENTIAL CORRUPTION by government cronies is on top of the watch list released by the Anti-Corruption of Thailand (ACT) group yesterday.

As part of its “Top 10 issues to watch”, the ACT listed a number of concerns about the activities of people connected to the government. These included the alleged faulty declaration of assets, especially in regards to Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan’s possession of luxurious watches and diamond rings.

Other issues included Prawit’s trip to Hawaii last year and the Interior Ministry’s endorsement of the use of public land in Khon Kaen by a private beverage company. Those issues, the organisation said, lacked clarification from concerned agencies and needed further explanation.

Second on the organisation’s watch list was “tea money” and other bribery in Phuket, especially concerning immigration.

Bribery related to temples was the third item on the list. The ACT said the issue had greatly affected people’s feelings as it concerned famed temples and monks around the country, yet the investigation seemed to be going nowhere.

An alleged bribery scandal concerning aircraft purchases involving Thai Airways International (THAI) and British engine-maker Rolls-Royce was ranked fourth on the watch list, followed by the PTT palm oil investment scandal which has caused the loss of over Bt20 billion of investment in Indonesia.

Police ‘most corrupt’

The other corruption-related issues on the watch list were: Police reforms; unfair legal treatment that allowed politicians to flee the country; the new National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) bill; Article 63 under the new charter, which is supposed to support people to help in anti-corruption work; and other anti-corruption related laws, including the public information bill.

The organisation said the Royal Thai Police was the agency most often accused of being corrupt and, as such, people expected reform in this area.

Unfair legal treatment has allowed a number of politicians and influential figures to elude justice, ACT said. It added that there awere questions or roadblocks concerning anti-corruption, including the NACC law and Article 63.

The organisation urged the public to help it monitor any progress related to all of the 10 issues.

Junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha last Friday exercised his absolute power under Article 44 to issue and order to extend some deadlines in the Political Party Act for parties to follow.

The order gives party members only one month to decide whether they will stay with their current party or review their political allegiance. Those wishing to maintain their party memberships must submit letters to confirm that choice to party leaders and pay their membership fees between April 1 and April 30 next year, or they will lose their status.

Somchai said on Wednesday that parties that have high number of members would do everything to get all members to confirm their status.

The number of people who pay a party-membership fee will also determine the subsidy each party will get from the party development fund, he said.

The junta has said that the order is aimed at preventing voters from becoming members of more than one party, but Somchai insisted that there could be no duplication in party member lists because his agency’s database was able to detect that.

He added that the EC had cooperated with the Interior Ministry’s Office of Civil Registration to update information on Thai citizens and gave copies of that information to all political parties to update their members’ database.