NACC to indict former deputy interior minister Sombat Uthaisang

The anti-graft agency voted unanimously on Thursday to take the case against Sombat to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

Sombat faces a five-year ban from politics if he is found guilty in court.

Klanarong said it had been found that Sombat had intentionally filed false information with the NACC when he was required by law to report his assets and debts after assuming the posts of deputy interior minister, chairman of state-run TOT's executive board and adviser to the minister for information and communications technology.

In his nine separate financial reports filed with the NACC, Sombat failed to mention bank accounts his wife held jointly with their adult son.

Balances in those accounts ranged from Bt86.2 million to Bt111.5 million while Sombat was holding the positions mentioned, Klanarong said.

The NACC was not convinced by Sombat's explanation that his wife had seen no need to report the bank accounts since their son was not a minor. However, the anti-graft agency found that the money in the accounts belonged to Sombat and his wife and thus warranted disclosure.

The Anti-Corruption Act requires political office-holders to report the assets and debts of themselves, their spouses and their minor children to the NACC. Each office-holder files a report shortly after assuming office, shortly after leaving office and one year after leaving office.