Stiffer penalties for corruption
Political office-holders found guilty of tax evasion will be banned from running for office or being a member of a party for 10 years, charter writer Nurak Mapraneet said yesterday.
The new penalty, if approved and incorporated into the constitution, is expected to affect ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces tax charges. "Stiffer penalties and tougher graft provisions are meant to prevent a repeat of assets concealment and tax evasion by powerful leaders," Nurak said. He spoke after chairing a subcommittee appointed by the Constitution Drafting Committee to rewrite anti-corruption charter provisions. Among key changes is a new mandate for the National Counter Corruption Commission to order tax audits for discrepancies in assets statements filed by politicians as they enter and leave office. The tax audit could cover tax records up to 10 years old. In another change, political office-holders will be required to declare assets for married and common-law spouses and children. Under existing rules assets statements are required from married spouses and children.
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