Brazil has just imprisoned for corruption the most popular politician ever elected as the country's president. South Korea has just convicted and jailed the history-making first woman president in its history -- for corruption. Thais have every right to be impressed and depressed by these cases. Here, the justice system has been unable to conclude a simple corruption investigation of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
The inability of the justice system to handle the watch case is scandalous. It is difficult even to imagine a corruption allegation as uncomplicated as that about the watches of the deputy premier. Gen Prawit, who also is the Minister of Defence, claims he borrowed and wore a string of valuable watches from a friend, who has died. If he did, he is at least technically innocent of corruption. Otherwise, he could face legal charges and ouster from the government -- as a starter.
Law enforcement has refused to get involved with the case. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has made it a shambles. Not only has a simple case taken four months and one week (and counting). The NACC at every stage has failed its repeated promise to inform the public of progress. Arguably the biggest error of all is that Gen Prawit's boss and the country's chief law enforcement officer who appointed the NACC members, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, also has refused to step in.
