US delegation meets Thailand's NACC

BANGKOK, March 2 (TNA) - US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney led a US delegation to meet Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Bangkok on Friday to discuss cooperation on corruption suppression. The US top envoy and Ali Jalali, US director for transnational crime, as well as other US delegates met NACC Chairman Panthep Klanarongran, during which the US ambassador said that the US delegation came to study the NACC's work and to discuss bilateral cooperation on corruption suppression. The US top envoy in Bangkok also pointed out that independent organizations are essential in every country. A senior NACC member, Klanarong Chantik, told reporters after the meeting that the US delegation insisted Washington would not intervene in the work of the NACC, but would exchange information and opinions useful for corruption prosecutions. The meeting did not address the US Treasury Department’s blacklist of incumbent Minister Attached to the Thai Prime Minister’s Office Minister Nalinee Taveesin. The NACC has sought information from Washington on many issues, including a case in which a former governor of the state-run Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Juthamas Sirivan and the United States cooperated well on her financial information. Regarding to a reported plan to amend Thailand's 2007 Constitution to dissolve independent agencies, including the NACC, Klanarong said he is not worried over the issue. (TNA)