Four officials, three police face transfer for alleged bias

Today's General News - Wednesday December 12, 2007

RACE TO PARLIAMENT

Four officials, three police face transfer for alleged bias

THEERAWAT KHAMTHITA

Three police officers in Chiang Rai and four officials in Buri Ram, which are both strongholds of the former Thai Rak Thai party, face being transferred for allegedly acting in favour of a particular political party.

Chiang Rai police chief Pol Maj-Gen Songtham Alapart yesterday signed the order transferring Pol Lt-Col Somkid Man-ngarn, chief of Bandu police station in Chiang Rai province, Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Paichayont Donlao and Pol Snr Sgt Pathompong Anant of the same station, to Muang district police station until after the Dec 23 election.

The transfers were prompted by complaints that the three officers had failed to maintain their neutrality by aligning themselves too closely to certain candidates standing in Chiang Rai province's constituency 1.

Meanwhile, Kasem Wattanatham, chairman of the Buri Ram provincial election commission, said the panel has proposed the governor transfer four more officials.

This followed complaints from some local candidates that they had taken sides with a certain political party.

Earlier, the election panel proposed that five officials be moved from the area for failing to be impartial during the run-up to the election.

Mr Kasem said several more officials had also been accused of favouring certain candidates. The panel was awaiting further evidence. He promised to ensure justice for all sides.

He said an in-depth investigation was also being launched into claims that a huge sum of money had been smuggled into Buri Ram via the Cambodian border for vote buying.

He also sought cooperation from local police and soldiers in setting up checkpoints in border districts to prevent the smuggling of cash to buy votes in the province.

Chiang Rai is a political power base of Yongyuth Tiyapairat, the deputy leader of the People Power Party, which is seen as a reincarnation of Thai Rak Thai.

Buri Ram is a stronghold of former TRT key executive Newin Chidchob.

Bangkok Post