Bangkok: The fate of 12 National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) members will be decided on May 27th as the court is set to rule on the concealment of information regarding the "Uncle Pom's watch" case. On this day, the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, Region 1, is scheduled to hear the verdict in the case filed on July 31, 2024, by Mr. Veera Somkwamkid, Secretary-General of the People's Network Against Corruption (PNAC), against Mr. Niwat Chai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the NACC, and other key figures.
According to Thai News Agency, the defendants, including Niwat Chai Kasemmongkol, Worawit Sukboon, Pol. Gen. Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit, and several others, are accused of concealing documents regarding Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan's luxury watches when he assumed the position of Prime Minister. The criminal case (Case No. AT.95/2567) has been accepted for consideration, with the verdict hearing scheduled for May 27th.
In this case, Mr. Veera has gradually withdrawn lawsuits against several defendants after discovering new facts. Notably, Mr. Suchart and Ms. Suwana, who voted in the minority on the NACC, believed that all information on the luxury watch case should be disclosed. Despite their stance, Mr. Veera did not withdraw the lawsuits until the court intervened. Other defendants like Mr. Nattachak and Mr. Preecha also saw withdrawals, though the court did not permit withdrawals against Ms. Supha and Pol. Gen. Watcharapol.
Mr. Veera's lawsuit timing has raised concerns of legal rights abuse, coinciding with the election of the new NACC chairman. During preliminary hearings, evidence showed that Mr. Suchart and Ms. Suwana had not committed the alleged offenses. Despite this, Mr. Veera's refusal to withdraw led to court dismissals. His gradual withdrawal of lawsuits suggests that once the court accepted the case, sufficient grounds for judgment existed. Speculators believe Mr. Veera may have maliciously targeted certain NACC commissioners, but after dismissals against Mr. Suchart and Ms. Suwana, he sought to withdraw additional lawsuits. The court, however, did not allow these withdrawals, leaving a few key defendants like Ms. Supa.
Should the court deliver a final verdict, some defendants plan to sue Mr. Veera and associates, claiming harassment and reputational damage. They view this as an exercise of their legal rights for self-protection.