Thai coup leaders appoint new graft busters

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (TNA) – Thailand’s Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) on Friday appointed a nine-member anti-corruption body, a major step that will pave the way to investigate an accumulation of alleged corruption cases under the administration of the recently deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The official CDRM statement read on national television late Friday said that the anti-corruption laws under the abolished 1997 Constitution will remain in force.

The new National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) is to be chaired by Parnthep Klanarongran, an advisor to a special committee responsible for the coordination of royally-initiated projects.

Among the newly appointed NCCC members is Klanarong Chantik, a prominent Thaksin critic and a former member of NCCC,who made his name in 2001 when as then secretary-general of the NCCC he accused Mr. Thaksin of deliberately submitting a false declaration of his assets and liabilities when he was deputy prime minister in 1997.

The Constitution Court finally acquitted Mr. Thaksin by a margin of one vote.The landmark verdict made the case as memorable as Mr. Klanarong’s role in it.

Other NCCC members are Vicha Mahakhun, Chaidet Pornchaiya, Prasart Pongsivapai, Pakdi Bhodisiri, Methee Krongkaew, Wichai Vivitsevee and Somluck Chadkrabuanpol, the only female member in the new graft-busting body.

TNA