NRC no-voters face complaint

The Association of Organisations for the Defence of the Constitution filed the complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against the 135 NRC members who rejected the draft charter. 

Spearheaded by its chairman, Srisuwan Janya, a political and environmental activist, the association demanded the NACC probe the NRC members. “Before the voting date, some NRC members revealed that those who vote down the charter will have a seat on the new reform-driving panel,” Srisuwan claimed. 

“So, the charter vote-down could be deemed a conflict of interest.” 

He demanded the NACC press charges against the members and NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana, who abstained for Sunday’s vote, for breaching their duty by the former voting down the charter, and the latter for not taking any action against those who campaigned against the draft. 

He also called on the NACC to retrieve the money the members received while on the council and any other privileges they may have enjoyed. 

Meanwhile, NRC’s Boonlert Kacha-yuthadej said a farewell dinner party was scheduled for last night, with some 200 members going on a Chao Phraya River cruise.

He said the party was also a celebration for members who had birthdays in September and for the four military officers from the council who had been promoted to general.

Some reformers who voted yes to the charter would not be attending as they could still be upset about the result, he said. 

Those attending included Thienchay and Tassana Boonthong, the vice chairman of the council, though charter drafter chief Bowornsak Uwanno has not responded. 

In a related development, secretary to the House of Representatives, Jaray Panpruang, said Sira Janejaka’s wish to return the Bt1.7 million he was paid as an NRC member could be done in the form of a donation. Jaray said the money would be deemed national revenue and returned to the Treasury. Sira had pledged to return the money if the draft was rejected.