Thai antigraft body member quits over nondisclosure charge+

0 Comments | Asian Political News, Jan 1, 2001

BANGKOK, Dec. 28 Kyodo

A commissioner with an antigraft body that charged telecom tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra with hiding assets has quit following allegations she failed to disclose her directorship of a private firm, an official with the body said Thursday.

National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) Secretary General Klanarong Chantik told reporters that Preeya Kasemsan na Aytthaya submitted a resignation letter Thursday, saying she stepped down because she did not report her private-sector involvement.

The resignation was made retroactively effective Wednesday, a day after the nine-member commission ruled that Thaksin failed to disclose his assets during his tenure as deputy prime minister in 1997 and 1998.

NCCC commissioners are banned by law from holding any executive positions or being employed by private companies.

Klanarong said the resignation would not affect the Thaksin ruling by NCCC.

''We insisted that the NCCC's ruling on the Thaksin case is already completed as the majority of commission members agreed to forward the case to the Constitutional Court,'' he said.

''Regarding Preeya's case...it will be examined by senators, not the NCCC,'' he added, referring to the revelation that Preeya is the incumbent director of furniture firm Wongamorn Co.

On Wednesday, Amorn Amornrattananont, a coordinator with the non-governmental People's Organization for Fighting Corruption, accused two other commissioners of holding shares in private entities.

Krirkiat Pipatseritham owns stakes in an inactive construction firm and Sawat Orruangroj serves as an executive in a business supporting army veterans, Amorn said.

Klanarong, however, insisted the two members were qualified for their NCCC posts, saying owning shares in private companies is legal. Sawat, meanwhile, said he resigned from the veterans company more than three years ago, adding that it is defunct.

All Thai politicians and senior officials are required by law to submit asset and liability reports when they are appointed to public office, when they leave their posts and a year afterward.

Thaksin is to lead his popular Thai Rak Thai party in the Jan. 6 House of Representatives election.