PRESSURE MOUNTS FOR THAI DPM TO QUIT

Change.org petition calling for Prawit’s resignation garners 61,200 signatures

APETITION calling for the resignation of Thailand’s deputy prime minister attracted thousands of signatures yesterday , heaping pressure on the junta’s second-in-command to step aside amid a scandal over a luxury watch and undeclared assets.

The scandal has revealed growing signs of disgruntlement among the Thai public and added to uncertainty over whether the junta would call an election later this year that is supposed to move the Southeast Asian nation back towards democracy.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission placed Prawit Wongsuwan, 72, a former army chief, who is also defence minister, under investigation after his appearance in a photograph of the cabinet wearing a diamond ring and a luxury watch in December sparked an avalanche of criticism on social media. Thai Netizens have since identified 25 expensive luxury watches that the former general has worn, but not declared to the anti-graft body.

Prawit has said that he borrowed the timepieces from friends, but would resign if that was the public’s wish.

According to Thailand’s anti- corruption act, all political office holders must fully disclose all of their assets.

Yesterday, a Change.org petition calling for Prawit’s resignation had more than 61,200 signatures.

The minister was attending a defence conference in Singapore yesterday, and a spokesman said he was in “good health”, without specifically addressing the watch issue. Reuters

REUTERS PIC Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan shielding his eyes from the sun and displaying a watch he is wearing at the Government House in Bangkok.