BANGKOK, THAILAND – A nine-member panel appointed by the president of the Supreme Court examined whether a commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had accepted 246 baht-weight of gold as a bribe in connection with a prominent online gambling case.
With the appointment of the independent inquiry committee on 26 February, a formal, constitutionally regulated fact-finding process against a senior office holder was launched.
Trigger for the inquiry
The creation of the panel stemmed from a petition submitted by former police colonel Pol Col Pakphoom Pitsamai, who had been regarded as a close associate of former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn.
Pakphoom filed a letter with the president of parliament in which he requested that the Supreme Court be petitioned to act against NACC commissioner Ekawit Watcharawaluk.
Allegations linked to online gambling
In the complaint, it was alleged that Ekawit had received 246 baht-weight of gold in order to support Surachate in a case targeting online gambling networks.
The case formed part of a series of proceedings in which digital gambling platforms and alleged attempts to influence investigations were in focus.
Legal basis and mandate
The Supreme Court convened the independent inquiry committee on the basis of Articles 82 and 236 of the constitution, as well as Articles 49 and 50 of the 2017 organic law on criminal procedures against holders of political office.
These provisions empowered the court president to appoint a panel of at least seven members to investigate suspected corruption, unconstitutional or unlawful conduct in office, or serious ethical violations by an NACC commissioner.
Role of the president of parliament
The president of the Senate, who also served as president of parliament, officially informed the Supreme Court that there was a well-founded suspicion against Ekawit within the meaning of the allegations raised.
Only this formal notification triggered the mechanism that led to the official appointment of the independent review panel.
Composition of the panel
The committee consisted of nine members: Chawalit Isaradej, Phedim Petchkul, Athikom Intookti, Sakorn Tangwanwiboon, Adisorn Chaikup, Sanchai Chanphong, Professor Paitchit Eakchariyakorn, Professor Sakda Thanithakul and Professor Wicha Mahakhun.
The panel was tasked with collecting the relevant facts and presenting a reasoned assessment of the allegations made against Ekawit.
Next steps and possible consequences
According to the newspaper Matichon, the committee would now conduct its investigation within the framework of the applicable constitutional and ordinary legal provisions.
Its report and final evaluation would determine whether further criminal or disciplinary steps against the NACC commissioner under the law governing political office holders would be initiated.
Quelle: Matichon