Somsak denies corruption accusation

The NLA is hearing an impeachment case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Somsak. The case centres on Somsak’s Bt16-million home in Angthong province. NACC member Narong Rathamarit told the NLA that Somsak had earned about Bt5 million a year, which should not have been sufficient to fund the construction of the house. He said the NACC found that the house was built in 1998 when Somsak was serving as deputy education minister and later as education minister.

Somsak, a senior figure from the Chart Thai Pattana Party, answered a number of questions posed by NLA members during the meeting. 

He was asked why he initially denied the house was his but later admitted to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders that it belonged to him. 

Somsak said he did that because the house’s construction was funded by a company in which his wife was a shareholder. 

He also claimed he was advised by an NACC official that he did not need to report the house was his and that was why he did not include the house in his financial report filed with the NACC. He admitted that he should have done so and he had already been punished by the Supreme Court, which banned him from politics for five years.

However, Somsak added that his failure to include the house in his financial report did not mean he was corrupt. Yesterday’s meeting was chaired by NLA first vice president, Surachai Liengboonlertchai.

Both sides are scheduled to present their closing statements on Thursday. 

Narong said the agency would submit its closing statement in the form of a document. 

Somsak will give his closing statement verbally.