More than 100 current and former MPs, including Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat, have yet to declare their wealth after the House dissolution in March, as required by law, according to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
Since the March 20 House dissolution, 384 members, or about 70% of the 500 MPs have submitted their assets and liabilities records to the NACC, according to the commission secretary-general, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol.
He warned those who had not yet filed this information, including the expected prime ministerial candidate Pita, that the deadline was drawing near.
The former MPs had up to 60 days after vacating office to submit declarations, or by May 19. However, the deadline was extendable until June 18.
Mr Niwatchai said the NACC was looking out for any irregular transactions, such as an unusually high increase in assets or an excessive reduction in liability or debts. An in-depth probe will be launched to trace the origin or sources of such irregularities, he added.
He said Mr Pita has not declared his assets and liabilities although he was aware that the MFP has given written notice that the remainder of its submissions will be provided before the deadline extension.
He explained that although the law says nothing about a second deadline extension, the NACC has not ruled out the possibility. However, further delays beyond the 30-day extension might pique the NACC's interest, he said.
The NACC law stipulates punishments against any MPs who exhibit intentions to conceal, disguise or withhold their wealth or liabilities.
Mr Niwatchai insisted the NACC had not singled out Mr Pita for the assets and liabilities probe and that it would treat all MPs equally.
He confirmed Mr Pita had submitted a record of his controversial iTV shares to the NACC after he became an MP following the 2019 general election.
Mr Pita had over 42,000 shares in iTV, an independent broadcaster founded in the 1990s. Under the current constitution, an election candidate is barred from running for office if they own shares in a media company.
The MFP leader stands accused of contesting the 2019 general election with the full knowledge of the legal prohibition against holding media shares when he registered as a candidate.
An MP must present their asset and liability documents upon taking office and again upon leaving office.
Mr Niwatchai said the NACC would check the share record to establish their value and whether Mr Pita was holding such stock in his capacity as executor of a family inheritance, as the former MP has reportedly claimed.
Once Mr Pita has made his declaration, the NACC will compare his wealth during and after his time as an MP.
Mr Pita said earlier that he had transferred the shares to his relatives to ensure he could be the next PM amid attempts to block him from the job.
