Prawit vets massive public spending – his bling is not ‘a personal matter’ 

But, as Anti-Corruption Organisation Secretary-General Mana Nimitmongkol notes, the matter is not personal, given that Prawit has immense power over the spending of taxpayer funds. He is now defence minister, and has been Army commander-in-chief, with key input in military purchasing – perhaps including the G2000 bomb detectors, which were less effective than flipping a coin yet cost Bt1 million apiece, and the Bt350-million airship which has proved incapable of sustaining combat altitude.
Like Caesar’s wife, General Prawit must be above suspicion. We the public have a right to know that his acquisition of the watches was transparent and honest, and didn’t involve past, present or future usage of taxpayer funds or services.
If, as claimed, the watches were all on loan, their return would not end the matter. Who lent each watch, and what was their relationship with General Prawit? Was anybody directly or indirectly involved in a past, present or potential business relationship using public funds? If the NACC claims that such investigations are beyond its jurisdiction, then other bodies must take up the search for the truth.
For the findings to be credible, the person being investigated must not be able to influence the proceedings. Thus, Prawit should step aside immediately, until the findings by an independent commission, composed of members not nominated by the Defence Ministry, are announced.
Burin Kantabutra