The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has received the relevant documents related to the luxury watch scandal involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, NACC secretary-general Worawit Sookboon said on Friday.
He said he had just learned that the agency had received the documents from watch companies abroad.
He refused to elaborate except only that a conclusion is expected to be reached in the not too distant future, he said.
A social media frenzy has flared since the deputy prime minister was shown wearing a platinum Richard Mille RM 029, valued at about 2.5 million baht and a diamond ring at a Government House event on Dec 4 last year.
It turned out these items and the other watches which came to light later were not included in his assets declaration submitted to the NACC. The agency then investigated his possession of 25 luxury watches.
In a separate development, Mr Worawit said the NACC has issued an announcement that stipulates those required to submit asset declarations must also declare the assets of their spouse no matter if they are a registered spouse or common-law spouse.
“This is for transparency and to close a loophole which allowed for evasion in the past,” he said, adding that the actual behaviour of a couple will be taken into account. If a couple is divorced but still live together, they must submit an assets report.
The anti-graft laws were revised to be in line with the 2017 constitution and its organic laws.
The Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday in favour of Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, saying he can remain in office because his wife had reduced her private shareholdings to meet the legal limit within the set deadline.
According to the Election Commission, Mr Don’s wife, Narirat, owned more than 5% of a private company and this disqualified him from holding a cabinet post because the constitution prohibits a cabinet minister or their spouse from holding shares in excess of 5% in a company.
In its ruling, the court said there were two key points in this case: a requirement for cabinet ministers to meet the deadline and the amount of shares.
