MP Karun denies 'unusual' increase in wealth
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Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul denied yesterday that he had unusually amassed wealth by some Bt108 million, as stated in his assets declaration to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
In his report to the NACC a year after the dissolution of Parliament, Karun’s wealth increased by Bt108 million, after deduction of debts.
Karun said yesterday he had not amassed any wealth but simply reported the value of amulets, which had a combined value of Bt90.5 million. The MP said that in his previous assets statements, he had not reported the value of the amulets.
NACC member Medhi Krongkaew said the NACC’s assets examination team was looking into the issue. Medhi insisted the NACC has the mandate to investigate the issue even without any complaints.
Based on checks by Isra News Agency, Karun’s additional assets from 2011 to 2012 included 70 Buddhist amulets valued at Bt90.5 million. Two residential properties also appreciated by about Bt5.1 million. The valuation of a home in Don Muang increased from Bt10 million to Bt15 million and another home in Pathum Thani saw a slight increase in value from Bt400,000 to Bt500,000.
In one year, his land holdings rose from 12 plots valued at Bt22 million to 20 worth Bt33 million.
On assuming office, his valued assets included four pistols, an amulet in a gold case worth Bt1 million, diamond jewellery worth Bt1.5 million and four wristwatches worth Bt2 million. A year later, he still had four pistols but the value of his diamond jewellery had doubled (Bt3 million) and he had eight watches worth Bt5 million.
He also reported owning 9,994 shares worth Bt999,400 in K Zone Co, operator of a health club.
When he served as MP, his earning commission amounted to Bt200,000 per year from a wet market business, while his wife Pimpicha earned Bt429,000.
Meanwhile, there are rumours that Pheu Thai will pick Jatuporn Phromphan to run in Don Muang instead of Karun, who won constituency 12 seat by just 7,000 votes.
