Prawit stonewalls questions about luxury watches
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has continued to refuse to comment over his possession of luxury watches and a diamond ring.
Prawit on Wednesday walked away from reporters at Government House when he was asked about a dozen luxury watches that he has been photographed wearing.
The deputy premier was caught by social media users wearing a luxury watch about one month ago, leading to a deepening scandal as photos of him wearing other watches, including Richard Mille models reportedly costing more than Bt3 million, were posted online.
Prawit failed to disclose any watches or rings in his assets lists declared to the National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) in 2014 when he took office.
Under pressure by the public, the NACC launched an investigation into how and when Prawit acquired the assets that appeared in his possession and the deputy premier last week sent a letter to the agency purporting to explain how he obtained the watches.
The NACC has so far refused to reveal the details of the letter, but reports indicated that one Richard Mille watch was explained as having belonged to a recently deceased friend who had lent Prawit the item.