NACC reports assets, liabilities of new and former Thai ministers

BANGKOK, March 15 (TNA) - The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) reported Thursday assets and liabilities of new Thai ministers appointed on January 23 and those excluded from the Cabinet on January 18. Deputy Prime Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapa and his wife are the richest in the present Thai Cabinet, with 380 million baht worth of assets while Deputy Finance Minister Thanusak Lek-uthai has the smallest amount of assets of 382,797 baht. Industry Minister M.R. Pongsavat Svasti and his wife's assets are worth 41 million baht more than their liabilities; while Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Natthawut Saikua’s assets are worth 16 million baht more than his liabilities. Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Nalinee Taveesin’s assets are 18.9 million baht higher than her liabilities; while the assets of another Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan are worth 137 million baht higher than his liabilities. For replaced Cabinet members, former Thai deputy prime minister Police General Kowit Wattana and his wife have assets worth 28 million baht and former finance minister Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala and his wife have 113 million baht worth of assets. NACC deputy secretary-general Worawit Sukboon said that the asset declaration of the newly-appointed and outgoing Cabinet members is a normal responsibility of the NACC, which has not yet found any irregularity with the latest declaration yet. However, the NACC deputy chief acknowledged, the national anti-graft commission is examining the declared assets and liabilities and people can ask the panel to investigate any irregularity they suspect. (TNA)