Two lawmakers being investigated for unusual wealth have been urged to resign from a panel scrutinising a draft organic law on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
The call was made by an anti-graft activist and Pheu Thai Party members, who say the move would avoid a conflict of interest.
Former national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the younger brother of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and Pol Lt Gen Boonrueng Polpanich have come under pressure after their appointment to the scrutiny panel by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).
Critics insist their involvement in the examination of the organic bill designed to rein in corruption could taint the process, because they are being probed by the same body.
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Mana Nimitmongkol, secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, said he did not know the reason behind the selection but the NLA was unnecessarily causing doubts about the transparency of the panel.
"If there is a big issue involving this organic law, the law might be branded as tainted with conflict of interest, and the doubts can stay forever," he said. "If they [Pol Gen Patcharawat and Pol Lt Gen Boonrueng] understand, they should resign or refrain from attending the meetings."
Mr Mana said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government should set a good example for transparency.
"This is an anti-corruption era, isn't it? Why haven't the power-holders started to be set examples? It is time the power was exercised responsibly and in a straightforward manner so that in future politicians or government officials accused of having conflicts of interest cannot claim that conflicts of interest also existed even in the NCPO's era," he said.
Mr Mana also urged people to speak out about what they expected in the fight against corruption.
Pol Gen Patcharawat and Pol Lt Gen Boonrueng were not available for comment Saturday.
In the meantime, Samart Kaewmeechai, former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai, said that while the NACC's probe against the pair had not been completed and they are considered innocent until proven otherwise, their participation is raising moral questions.
He said if the probe against them is not finished, they are eligible to serve, but the issue is also about ethics and morality.
"They shouldn't get involved in the lawmaking process where a conflict of interest may occur. The best practice is for them to resign from the committee and let others do the job. If they don't withdraw, the organic bill is spoiled before it is passed," he said.
NLA member Chatchawal Suksomjit, chairman of the scrutiny committee, has played down the controversy, saying it will not undermine the panel's credibility in getting its job done. However, he admitted that their involvement in the process may raise questions about appropriateness.
Pol Gen Chatchawal said the pair may mitigate or avoid a conflict of interest by excusing themselves from meetings if the issues related to them come up during the scrutiny process.
"The organic bill has several sections and not every one involves them. Moreover, the bill is being tightened and it's unlikely for them to revise it in a way that will affect the ongoing probe," he said.
The committee chairman said that NACC chief Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit also sits on the committee and there are issues that directly affect him such as the tenure of the NACC.
"The same principle will apply, which is he has to leave the meeting room if those issues come up," he said.
He said he has no idea what the two panellists will decide in the wake of the controversy. The committee had met only once to select its head and lay down work guidelines, he added.
Pol Gen Watcharapol on Friday said the two cases have not yet reached the inquiry stage and that both officials must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
