NACC:Probe against Thailand's Caretaker PM is based on facts

BANGKOK, April 2 (TNA) - The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) insists it bases its investigation into the roles of Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on facts. NACC Chairman Parnthep Klanarongran told journalists on Wednesday that the anti-graft panel is not concerned over its probe into Yingluck’s roles in her government's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme because it is based on facts. Parnthep said that the NACC will question three additional witnesses in the case before Songkran or the traditional Thai New Year long holiday in mid-April, referring to Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong and Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach. If the NACC indicted Yingluck, she must cease her duties as the caretaker prime minister. Meanwhile, Ruangkrai Leekitwatana, a legal adviser to the ruling Pheu Thai Party, cautioned that the NACC is testing the presently-thin patience of the public and its injustice would result in chaos. Regarding the possible indictment and its effect on the caretaker prime minister’s status, Ruangkrai pointed out that Yingluck had dissolved the House of Representatives and already lost her status as the prime minister, but she must remain as the caretaker prime minister until there is a new Thai government. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva claimed that Yingluck is trying to buy time by proposing 11 additional witnesses to the NACC and if Yingluck was indicted by the NACC, she would simply stop doing her duties and could assign her deputies to do them instead; so, domestic political problems could not be settled. (TNA)