BANGKOK — Yes, it’s okay for politicians to borrow megaluxury watches from friends and not declare them in transparency documentation, the anti-corruption agency said Wednesday.
Using the same argument that cleared deputy junta chairman Prawit Wongsuwan of his watch scandals, the Anti-Corruption Commission said politicians and officials are only required to declare their own assets in mandatory transparency reports, which does not include stuff borrowed temporarily.
Commission sec-gen Worawit Sukboon made the comment after an opposition MP raised a question during a parliament session about whether politicians can borrow expensive timepieces from their friends without getting in legal trouble, in apparent mockery of Gen. Prawit’s watch controversy.
Repeating the General’s explanation, Worawit said today Prawit was cleared of wrongdoing because he already returned all watches to his friend.
He also dismissed accusations from the public that his agency acted in favor of the junta’s second-in-command.
“Whenever we deliberate on any case, we must deliberate with facts, evidence and legal principles,” Worawit said. “We cannot deliberate with feelings and social pressure.”