On borrowed time: Thailand’s deputy prime minister must explain his collection of luxury watches to anti-graft watchdog
Prawit, an architect of Thailand’s 2014 coup who is also defence minister, says the watches were borrowed from friends and later returned
The Thai junta’s number two, who is mired in a graft scandal over his dazzling collection of luxury watches, could be cleared of wrongdoing if he proves the timepieces were borrowed from friends, an anti-graft agency said on Wednesday.
Prawit Wongsuwon’s penchant for pricey watches has captivated Thailand’s public since Facebook users began counting the expensive accessories worn by the deputy prime minister, even prompting calls for him to resign in a country where such open criticism is unusual.
Since December the “CSI LA” Facebook page has counted 25 watches collectively worth US$1.2 million, including 11 Rolexes, eight Patek Philippes and three Richard Milles.
The affair has stirred questions over how an ex-general on a relatively humble public servant’s salary could afford items undeclared on his US$2.7 million list of assets on taking office.
The unrelenting social media campaign has heaped pressure on Prawit to resign as well as on the kingdom’s anti-graft agency to open a full, transparent probe into the bling.
Prawit, an architect of Thailand’s 2014 coup who is also defence minister, says the watches were borrowed from friends and later returned.
Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is yet to open an official graft probe, but is questioning the people Prawit has listed as the watch owners.