NACC urged to probe Prayut

Call comes ahead of censure debate

The opposition has agreed to ask the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha over three controversial issues ahead of its planned censure debate.

Prachachart Party secretary-general Thawee Sodsong said the anti-graft agency will be asked to look into the failure to specify sources of funds for state projects during Gen Prayut’s government policy statement, the incomplete recital of the oath of office, and the selection process for 250 senators supervised by members of the nowdefunct National Council for Peace and Order.

Pol Col Thawee said the prime minister had violated the law by failing to tell the House where the money to implement government projects would come from.

As for the prime minister’s oath gaffe, he said the opposition parties wanted clarity on the issue, pointing out that the Constitutional Court had not made a ruling and only given its opinion on the matter.

A petition over the oath was lodged with the court last year through the Office of the Ombudsman. However, the court threw it out, determining it was beyond the jurisdiction of any court to decide.

On the senators’ selection, he said the process was unconstitutional because some members of the selection panel served on the NCPO and their involvement was intended to help the regime prolong its stay in power.

However, Pol Col Thawee said these issues have nothing to do with the noconfidence motion to be lodged this week. He noted the opposition agreed to seek the NACC’s intervention some time ago and it was time to proceed now that its legal specialists have completed their study.

Phumtham Wechayachai, an adviser to opposition leader Sompong Amornwiwat, confirmed yesterday the planned censure motion would be submitted this week and called on the government to resign if it fails to justify its actions during the debate.

Asked if the New Economics Party (NEP) would take part in the debate, Pol Col Thawee said that NEP list-MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan has requested four hours of debate time.

Six NEP MPs have said they reserve the right to vote for the government over key pieces of legislation which serve the national interest.