Prayut pleads ignorance in ‘puppy-gate’

SEVERAL PUBLIC figures have shown an interest in purchasing the Bangkaew puppies at the centre of a controversy involving Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, while the premier has pleaded ignorance of the law concerning his promise to give the dogs to two Cabinet ministers
Prayut bought the three Bangkaew puppies from a local breeder during his Cabinet’s recent retreat in Phitsanulok. He later said he did not mean to commit any wrongdoing and would sell the dogs after a complaint was filed with Thailand’s graft-fighting agency by Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution.
The petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) sought an investigation to determine whether the prime minister had condoned violations of the anti-corruption regulation that prohibits public officials from accepting gifts valued at more than Bt3,000. The issue became known with some levity as “puppy-gate”.  

Prayut and Bangkaew puppies during his field trip in Phitsanulok

Prayut previously had said he would give puppies to both Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda and Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikalya. The prime minister bought three young dogs belonging to the famous Bangkaew breed for Bt25,000, although the market price was Bt6,000 for each puppy.
Srisuwan said he would prefer purchasing two of the dogs from the premier to prevent exploitation of the law to benefit the premier’s Cabinet members.
Democrat Secretary-General Juti Krairiksh also expressed an interest in purchasing the dogs.
During a New Year meeting with reporters at Government House yesterday, Prayut said he just wished to show good will to the dog breeders and had not intended to breach the law.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the NACC was considering amending its regulation covering gifts worth up to Bt3,000 to bring them in line with new legislation. 
The NACC had the authority to amend the regulation, he said, while adding that if the recipients refused to accept Prayut’s gifts, he would take the dogs himself. He added that he knew how to do so without violating the law.
The NACC, meanwhile, said it would have to ensure that it had jurisdiction to review recent controversies involving junta officials.
Suthi Boonmee, a director of the investigation and special affairs office, said the NACC would have to check the credibility of the account and then see if it had the authority to scrutinise the issue. Then the NACC would consider whether to consider the case, he said.
He added that it should not be too difficult to check the status of the case, given it had been a matter that garnered public interest over the past couple of days.
However, he said the agency had to consider whether it was within the NACC’s authority and whether it was a case involving “unusual wealth”. If it turned out to be a normal criminal case, the NACC would not have the authority to consider it, he added.
Regarding the possession of luxury watches by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Suthi said Prawit had already sent an explanatory letter to the agency. The agency was examining the letter and other evidence, such as the assets list Prawit declared upon taking office, he said.
The NACC will hold a press conference on the progress of cases under investigation, including Prawit’s case, tomorrow.