Deputy PM brushes off office claim

Deputy PM brushes off office claim

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung fended off an accusation during yesterday's censure debate that state funds were used to pay for luxurious furniture in his office at the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO).

Chuvit: Mounts luxury fittings allegation

During the first day of the no-confidence debate, Rak Thailand Party leader Chuvit Kamolvisit alleged that more than 2 million baht was spent to decorate the deputy premier's office at the RTPO. Mr Chalerm has an office there because he supervises police affairs.

The opposition MP referred to a photo showing luxury furniture and an expensive chandelier hanging in Mr Chalerm's office.

Workers finished refurbishing the deputy PM's office in only one month, Mr Chuvit said. But construction work on 369 temporary police stations across the country, at a cost of 5.35 billion baht, has progressed at a snail's pace, Mr Chuvit added as he displayed photos of unfinished construction sites at several stations.

Mr Chalerm said the furniture and other decorative items in his office were brought from his home. He insisted no state funds were used to purchase new furniture.

Mr Chuvit also grilled the deputy premier over what he called a selective enforcement of the law.

He said Mr Chalerm had failed to ensure that police applied the law in equal measure where underground casinos are concerned. Certain casinos with links to politicians had been spared from the police crackdown on illegal gambling, Mr Chuvit alleged.

Mr Chalerm said he has asked police to get tough on all casino operators. He accepted Mr Chuvit's challenge to swear before the statue of the Emerald Buddha that he was telling the truth. "Any politician taking bribes from casinos shall face his demise," Mr Chalerm said.

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