From his expensive trip to Hawai to attend an informal meeting of Asean defence ministers in October last year to the latest controversial incident regarding his possession of what appears to be a multimillion-baht watch and diamond ring, Prawit has often been in the public spotlight.

Prawit, who is also defence minister, got away with the former incident as the Office of the Auditor-General found no irregularities in the Bt21-million trip, but observers believe that he may be vulnerable, and indeed his political survival may be at stake, given his apparent penchant for expensive jewellery.

The National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) last week gave Prawit 30 days to explain how he had obtained a flamboyant Richard Mille wristwatch and diamond ring after the luxury items raised widespread suspicion about the general’s “unusual wealth”.

Prawit has yet submit a letter of explanation to the NACC, but there are three possible ways for Prawit to explain the issue.

First, the items belong to him but he acquired them after declaring his assets to NACC in 2014 when he took office. However, he would still face serious scrutiny over how much they cost and whose money had bought the watch and the ring, which by some estimates would have cost about Bt10 million.

The question has to be asked: Is it reasonable that Prawit, who declared a total of Bt87 million in assets to the NACC, bought the jewellery?

Second, reports this week have speculated that Prawit would tell the NACC that the ring belongs to his mom and the watch to a friend.

In a legal technical sense, he could get away with such an explanation, but the most important thing will be if society at large believes him. In Thai culture, the slick hero “Sri Tanonchai” is a fixture in a series of Thai humorous stories depicting him as the prototypical clever trickster – can Prawit pull off a similar role in the eyes of the public? Is there anybody, in the entire world, who would lend someone else a watch of such value?

The origin of the ring could be as complicated for Prawit. The deputy prime minister has told the media that the ring was “old”. The question is, how old is it? Did he own it before declaring his assets in 2014 or acquire it after? If before, why didn’t he declare it. If “old” is not older than three years, and Prawit acquired the ring in the interim, he will be questioned about where he obtained the money for its purchase.

The third possibility would be the safest, with Prawit claiming he obtained both items after 2014.

In this scenario, the ring could be explained as a family inheritance that he simply had not declared as of yet.

But for the watch, if he bought it after 2014, he will be questioned about the source of the money – and whether he really did buy it. It should not be difficult to trace the purchase back to the shop where it was bought. If it turns out that he was given it as a gift, that in itself could land him in trouble for violating the anti-graft law.

According to Article 103 of the NACC Act, civil servants and political office holders are not allowed to receive money or benefits aside from those that are permitted by law or worth Bt3,000 or less.

Regardless of what explanation Prawit chooses, there will inevitably be one more question: Will he be able to convince the NACC?

Vilas Chanpitak, a Democrat Party member with a record for busting graft, has suggested that the NACC itself should be dissolved if the agency believes the explanation.

This could be a significant test for the anti-graft agency and whether members of the public can really place their faith in it to cleanse society of corruption.

The NACC is already being viewed sceptically because its chairman, Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, is a former prime minister’s secretary-general attached to Prawit.

Prayut, who has not expressed any concerns about his senior aide and has said the entire issue is an attempt to divide him and Prawit, would be mistaken to underestimate the power of society regarding the issue.

When the powers-that-be flaunt their lavish lifestyles, it cannot be avoided that members of the public will speculate about the origins of such “unusual wealth”, particularly within a regime that has made the fight against corruption a cornerstone of its legitimacy. Amid the economic downturn, how will people tolerate the political elites’ displays of such exorbitant wealth while they are still suffering from bread-and-butter issues?

“We would like to see the premier in office for another 10 years,” said one unidentified villager, while Prayut told them that if they |wanted him to stay, he would consider it.

The premier attempted to charm provincial voters as he announced a series of multi-billion-baht investment programmes to tackle poverty, water resources and other local issues.

The premier also unveiled plans to invest about Bt4 billion to improve Kalasin’s water resource management system and |implement other measures to reduce poverty as the province |is ranked among the country’s poorest.

Prayut told villagers that his government would help them raise more livestock instead of planting more agricultural crops, which are being affected by depressed farm prices worldwide.

Wearing a Phu Tai local shirt and dancing with local performers, Prayut apparently enjoyed spending time in Kalasin.

Besides meeting with local people, Prayut also gave away dozens of cows, buffaloes and agricultural tools to farmers before visiting an irrigation development project in the afternoon.

He also visited the Phu Tai Cultural Centre, a local weaving cooperative under the royal patronage of HM the Queen |Sirikit.

After Prayut announced the general election would be held next year, he has appeared to have planned more brief field trips to faraway provinces.

Last week, he visited the southern province of Trang to inspect flood management and other works, but in Kalasin he focused on local development as well as contacts with local residents.

While his trip to Songkhla and Pattani in late November did not end well after confrontations between villagers and officers, Prayut seemed to perform better in Kalasin as he cheerfully performed local traditional dances with residents.

He also told villagers that the government had allocated Bt305 million for irrigation development and Bt1.4 billion for three road construction projects.

Relations based on pledge

Earlier this week, the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council decided to restore full political contact with Thailand after suspending relations following the coup in 2014.

The EU cited Prayut’s pledge to hold the polls in November 2018 during a visit to the US as a major factor for restoring full political contact.

In addition, the EU will explore possibilities to resume negotiations with Thailand on a Free Trade Agreement, after talks were |suspended more than three years ago.

At present, the EU is Thailand’s fourth biggest trading partner and a major foreign investor in the country.

Prayut has also expressed hope that the EU will remove the “yellow card” concerning problems from Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fisheries as Thailand had taken legal and other measures to address the issue.

IT NEVER rains but it pours for Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan. While he has yet to clarify his possession of a seemingly multimillion-baht watch, social media users have raised questions about seven other watches he is seen wearing at recent events.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which is investigating the premier’s respected senior aide, yesterday said that it was ready to probe any new allegations.

Deputy PM and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan is seen wearing what look like different models of multimillion-baht Richard Mille watches on two separate occasions. The black-and-red model, left, was spotted during a scholarship granting event in September. The silver-and-black model, right, was seen during a Cabinet photo opportunity on December 4. 

“We have to look through his asset-declaration history and see if he has already declared those watches,” said NACC acting secretary-general Worawit Sukboon yesterday.

In his four declarations during his off-and-on membership of governments from 2008 to 2014, Prawit has never declared any single asset worth more than Bt200,000 to the NACC. His latest declaration valued his total total assets at Bt87 million.

However, pictures show him wearing what look like two Richard Mille watches that are estimated to cost between Bt4 million and Bt10 million. The first watch was spotted when he took part in a group photo with the reshuffled Cabinet at Government House December 4.

A photo of him shielding his eyes with his hand, revealing the silver-black watch and a diamond ring, sparked controversy.

The second watch was revealed yesterday when the Facebook page CSI LA posted photos of Prawit back in September during a Five Provinces Bordering Forest Preservation Foundation event he hosted.

Giving away compensation and scholarships with a smiling face, Prawit was seen wearing what could be a different Richard Mille watch model with a red and black body.

The page’s author speculated that the model might be the Richard Mille RM 030, which normally costs around Bt4 million.

The Matter, the alternative news agency, on Tuesday also presented photos of Prawit on nine occasions from 2014 to this year wearing different watches. Although the definition of the photos was limited, three of the watches could be the same while the rest looked distinct.

The Matter asked its followers to help identify the watches and their guesses centred on high-end brands such as Patek Philippe, Franck Muller, Audemars Piguet and Rolex, with prices ranging from Bt700,000 to Bt2 million.

Prawit has kept mum on the issue since the day he was discovered wearing the extravagant watch last week.

Yesterday, without speaking to the press, he went to receive an honorary doctorate degree in public administration from Nakhon Phanom University.

He had also stressed shortly after the controversy began that he would only explain his possession of the watch to the NACC, not the public.

Local media reported that Prawit planned to justify himself by saying that the watch was borrowed from a businessman friend and the diamond ring was inherited from his mother.

He had planned to send an explanatory letter to the NACC yesterday, but he has not yet done so.

The NACC said last Thursday that Prawit would have 30 days to justify himself.

Besides meeting with local people, Prayut gave away dozens of cows, buffaloes and agricultural tools to farmers before observing an irrigation development project in the afternoon.

He also visited Phu Tai Cultural Centre, a local fabric-looming cooperative following Royal initiative of HM Queen Sirikit.

Prayut has recently made frequent but brief field trips to distant provinces.

On contrast to his trip to Trang last week to inspect flood management, this trip to Kalasin appeared to focus on local development as well as getting in touch with the locals.

While his trip in Songkhla and Pattani in late November did not end well – it was marked with confrontations between villagers and officers – Prayut managed to spend some of his time in Kalasin cheerfully doing the “serng” traditional dance with local girls.

He also reminded locals how his government had allocated Bt305 million for irrigation development and Bt1.4 billion for three road construction projects.

The party called on the government to take serious action on the issues addressed by the European Union, including holding a free and fair election and having a civil government, so that other talks and agreements, including on trade, could follow.

The party said the EU expressed its wishes to resume relations in a gradual process of political re-engagement, and the government should not quickly jump to conclusions and exaggerate the situation.

On a contrary, it should fulfil the EU’s requirements, including lifting restrictions on political activities and expression, as well as holding a free and fair election.

The government, it said, has a number of tasks to fulfil before it can see the relations with the EU resumed.

The committee invited key political figures to give their comments on the committee’s reform proposals in a focus group observed by the media.

The committee, one of 13 panels appointed under the new national reform law, has proposed five prime reform issues. Those are: a free and fair election to promote political reform, religious-based democracy, political culture and public participation promotion, reconciliation and conflict resolution, and decentralisation and fair distribution of resources.

However, two invitees – former demonstration leader Suriyasai Katasil and ex-political reformer Paiboon Nititawan – told the committee that its proposals were not yet clear enough, Matichon reported.

Reconciliation, for instance, had not been addressed clearly in the proposal, Suriyasai said.

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the outgoing Election Commissioner, said the current rules on elections under the new EC law have placed some limitations, especially the tight timeframe for election preparations by concerned parties, raising the question how well a quality election could take place.

He suggested that the rules be amended to ensure a free and fair election.

Ekachai Srivilas, director of the Office for Peace and Governance at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, additionally suggested that local elections precede the national election to strengthen the newly introduced processes.

Sunisa denied the charges, saying her posts were meant to criticise the government and its spending, but she had the constitutional right to scrutinise the government’s performance.

She suggested the Prayut government should listen to her advice to improve its performance and resolve problems.

She added that the motive behind the charges was political because she was a former deputy Pheu Thai spokesperson and had always criticised the government.

Her criticism of Prayut on Facebook has included comments about his handling of the recent suspicious death of a military cadet and how he treated rock star-turned-campaigner Artiwara “Toon” Kongmalai compared with residents in the South who questioned the junta government’s policies.

Sunisa’s lawyer Narinpong Jinapak said the sedition charge against her was exaggerated.

He also warned police to not be used as a political tool by the government to accuse people, adding that his client would file a countersuit against police over their actions.

Narinpong and foreign diplomatic observers joined Sunisa as she arrived at the Police Technology Crime Suppression Division to hear the charges on Wednesday.

THAILAND is expected to resume negotiations with the European Union on a Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after talks were suspended more than three years ago following the 2014 coup, according to top officials.

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council on Monday issued a statement concluding that it had decided to resume political contact with Thailand at all levels and invited the EU Commission to explore possibilities for resuming talks on the Thai-EU FTA.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday welcomed the EU’s decision while referring to the new Constitution and clearer election timetable.

But that did not mean that the ruling junta’s ban on political activities, imposed soon after 2014 coup, would be lifted soon, the premier added. “Regardless of small or big parties, the ban will be lifted once everything is settled,” he said.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Prayut said the junta government had been explaining to the international community how Thailand would eventually “return to democracy” in line with the junta’s so-called road map.

The explanations also included ongoing efforts to map the 20-year national strategy. Overseen by a military-dominated committee, the strategy is meant to force future governments to comply with the strategy on pain of penalty.

The election date, which has been changed several times, depended on “unexpected circumstances”, Prayut said, citing this year’s Royal Cremation Ceremonies.

“How could I allow any domestic conflicts to occur ahead of such event?” he rhetorically asked.

The election date will also depend on when essential organic laws are finished, which will depend on the charter drafters and the National Legislative Assembly, which are both appointed by the ruling junta.

“But it’s not like I can point fingers at them. Not all of them are military men. They are mixed. Can’t you see how hard they are discussing issues to come up with each law?” he said.

“It’s life or death for this country, but you [critics] need to accelerate the election date,” he added.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the EU delegation said the restoration of talks would make it easier to effectively address issues of mutual interest, including human rights and the road to democracy, which would “figure prominently”.

“This will be of particular importance in the period leading to the election in November 2018, and beyond,” the spokesperson told The Nation in an email.

Natthanan Kunnamas, the Jean Monnet Chair and an EU expert at Chulalongkorn University, said the revitalisation of ties was a good sign that also corresponded with new events in the EU.

The new ambassador and head of the EU delegation has just unofficially moved to Thailand, while the EU foreign policy is also leaning towards political pragmatism rather than its previous focus on humanitarian values, Natthanan said.

Driven by Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the new approach tended to make the EU “realise that what they think is universal is sometimes not welcomed by host countries”, she said.

This did not mean that the EU would contradict its own values, but negotiations would not be “much as hardline as before”.

“The EU has combined development aid with political aid already. Thus this new approach of negotiations is interesting,” she added.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai welcomed the EU’s decision, saying: “The most significant thing is that the EU has relaxed its stance [towards Thailand]. Political developments … now move one step forward.”

Don said official political contact as well as visits between Thai and European leaders and officials could now proceed.

“This means that we can visit EU members if we are invited, and they are welcome to visit us as well,” Don said.

The bloc was also satisfied with Thailand’s role as Asean coordinator, Don said, adding that the general international sentiment had inclined discussions with Thailand to resume.

The relaxation will also have a good psychological affect on investors, Don said. He added that talks between the EU and Thailand on business cooperation, including a free trade agreement, could proceed “when the time is right”.

Deputy Commerce Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara also welcomed the EU decision on the crucial bilateral trade and investment agreement, noting that the two sides had earlier held four rounds of negotiations prior to the EU’s suspension of contact with Thailand in 2014.

Chutima said several EU member countries and the private sector had supported resuming talks on the FTA with Thailand, so technical negotiations were expected to restart shortly.

While the Department of Trade Negotiations will be in charge of preparing to resume talks with EU counterparts, she said the Thai government and National Legislative Assembly had also implemented multiple economic and other reform agendas to get the country ready for the proposed Thai-EU FTA.

Those measures included the enactment of new trade competition and foreign business legislation, which will better facilitate fair trade, as well as the promotion of foreign investors doing business in Thailand, she said.

“But I’m strong, and you know that if I had no one by my side, I would become more aggressive and exercise my full power,” Prayut said.

Prawit has recently been a centre of controversy for his response to the death of a military cadet, as well as his possession of an expensive wristwatch and diamond ring.

Last week, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) gave Prawit 30 days to justify his possession of the two extravagant items, which he wore during a group photograph with the recently reshuffled Cabinet the preceding Monday.

The photo – which showed the 72-year-old retired general shielding his eyes with his hand, displaying what appeared to be extremely expensive accessories – quickly caught the public’s attention and raised questions as to how a lifelong military officer could afford such luxuries.

Prayut yesterday urged the media not to pressure Prawit over the allegations surrounding the accessories. He also appealed for legal procedures to be followed in the case, and urged the public not to be pessimistic.

Prayut said he was not giving moral support to the deputy prime minister, as Prawit was strong enough to handle the issue.

According to the NACC, Prawit has not yet submitted a letter to clarify his possession of the items. The agency sent a letter informing Prawit about the matter last Thursday, said the official.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the NACC must demonstrate its integrity in its inquiry into the allegation, and consider the case based on the facts. The NACC head, Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, who is said to be close to Prawit, must also show his integrity and impartiality in leading the probe, Abhisit said.

Watcharapol once served as a deputy secretary-general to the prime minister attached to Prawit.

The US Embassy in Bangkok confirmed that Joseph Yun, special representative for North Korea policy, will visit Thailand tomorrow and Friday to add weight to the US campaign against North Korea’s latest missile test.

Yun’s agenda while in Bangkok is not officially settled. It is not known who he will meet besides Veerasak.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday did not directly mention Yun’s visit but reiterated that Thailand always follows United Nations Security Council resolutions.

“There has been no selling, no buying and no trading to the point that we can barely move,” Prayut said during his weekly press briefing.

His remarks also countered a recent report by a US-based think tank that Thailand is among 20 countries providing assistance for North Korean shipments.

A source at the Commerce Ministry, meanwhile, said Thailand had strictly followed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution on North Korea and if the US requested Thailand to impose sanctions beyond the UNSC resolution there needs to be further approval by the Thai government.

Released last Tuesday, a report from the Institute for Science and International Security says that 49 countries were found to commit acts in violation of sanctions designated in the UNSC resolutions.

Denying the report, Prayut stressed that Thailand has long ago stopped any North Korean shipments from landing in the Kingdom.Thailand had maintained a 45-year tie with North Korea but has toned it down following the Asean consensus to abide by the UNSC resolutions.

While restaurants operated by the North Korean government were functioning in Bangkok earlier this year, the trade value for the first nine months of this year is down to Bt52 million, a 94-per cent drop year-on-year.

The US has campaigned actively and aggressively for sanctions against North Korea.Announcing a series of successes on nuclear developments this year, North Korea recently tested a Hwasong-15, an advanced version of the intercontinental ballistic missile it launched in July.

AFP reported that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson met Prayut in Bangkok in August. Tillerson’s goal was to push Thailand to shut down all North Korean business operations in Thailand and tone down diplomatic ties as much as possible.

At a meeting between Donald Trump and Prayut in October, the US president encouraged Thailand, as a regional Asia-Pacific country, to be firm against North Korea.