Yingluck not involved in issue of passports to Thaksin: NACC
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Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been found to have had no role in her brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin, being issued a passport, anti-corruption panel chairman Panthep Klanarongran said yesterday.
He said investigators from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) looking into the allegation decided that former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and the then-Foreign Ministry permanent secretary may face impeachment over the matter depending on further scrutiny.
However, the NACC will decide within this month whether it will take legal action against those involved in the case, Panthep said.
Meanwhile, Yingluck will report to the NACC on Tuesday to hear charges levelled against her in relation to the compensation scheme for victims of political protest, mostly red shirts, Panthep said.
The NACC chairman yesterday told media that the anti-corruption panel had sent a summons to Yingluck and 34 members of her cabinet, detailing the charge.
The concerned parties, including the former premier, will have the opportunity to defend themselves before the NACC between June 9 and 30.
Earlier in March, the NACC prepared complaints about compensation payments made to families of protesters who died during political unrest between 2005 and May 2010. Under the scheme, the families of protesters who were killed were given Bt7.5 million in compensation, an amount criticised by some as excessive.
Yingluck’s critics accused her of having a conflict of interest in approving the payment, as many of the recipients were red shirts who supported her government.
Meanwhile, the National Legislative Assembly has set June 26 to hear the opening statement regarding the impeachment proceedings against 248 former MPs, Panthep said.
Among former MPs facing impeachment are five lawmakers who allegedly swiped their colleagues’ ID cards to vote in the motion to amend the charter on the composition of the Senate, he said.
NACC member Wichai Wiwitsewi will deliver the opening statement on behalf of the commission. The NACC will also press criminal charges against the five ex-MPs for swiping their colleagues’ cards.
