Anti-graft officials to interview 4 people connected to Prawit’s watches
Anti-graft officials have made an appointment with four unnamed individuals alleged to have been involved with Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan’s possession of luxury watches, said National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) president Pol General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit on Thursday.
The four have been identified after Prawit submitted a letter explaining his perspective on the matter to the NACC. The NACC has said it wished to learn further details about his possession of the watches and relationships with the four individuals.
Prawit on Tuesday pledged to resign if he was found guilty. The general also said he had borrowed the watches from friends and had already returned them all.
Watcharapol said the officials would investigate legal aspects regarding the deputy PM’s claim and inform the NACC of their findings.
Anti-graft buster and former senator Rosana Tositrakul, has meanwhile called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to apply the same standard as when he removed government officials suspected to be involved with corruption to pave the way for investigations.
Rosana cited Prayut’s early reasoning in removing them. If the issues were deemed critical or they people were in positions of high rank, there was a need to first remove to pave the way for proper investigations. This, Rosana said, should also be applied to the case of Prawit.
The scandal arose after Prawit was seen wearing a very expensive Richard Mille watch during a photo session with the new Cabinet. Netizens, including Facebook page, CSI LA have reviewed media photos of Prawit and, as of Wednesday, the page estimated that he had worn 25 luxury watches. The total price, based on market value, stands estimated at more than Bt30 million – far higher than Prawit’s estimated income during his past three years in office.