Prachai's disgrace a blow to his party

Prachai's disgrace a blow to his party

The Matchima Thipataya Party fell into disarray yesterday after its embattled leader Prachai Leophairatana was sentenced to one month in jail for contempt of court.

Published on December 8, 2007

The latest development was disheartening for many of the party's candidates. Some have already stopped campaigning and fear for the worst.

Party secretary-general Anongwan Thepsuthin, who leads a faction loyal to her husband Somsak, closed up her office in Prachai's TPI Tower hours before Prachai's trial. Party members from her group also moved out.

This came after Prachai said he would no longer give financial support to the faction's members as it became clear his dream of becoming prime minister was in tatters.

Prachai distanced himself from faction members, including Anongwan.

However, Anongwan later said she would stay with the party and rejected speculation about infighting.

Somsak has taken a break from politics, as he is one of the 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party stripped of their election rights.

After his sentencing, Prachai immediately posted Bt20,000 in bail to avoid stepping into a cell before he could file an appeal.

The election law automatically disqualifies any candidate if they are locked up for any duration under court order.

Prachai was found guilty of criticising his conviction for stock manipulation on Monday as an unfair decision influenced by the "old power" clique, a euphemism for the Thaksin Shinawatra government.

The court found no cause to grant leniency.

"Prachai is a well-educated man with an important position in a political party, so there is no justification to suspend his jail term," the court said.

Prachai showed remorse during the hearing and issued his deepest apology for his remarks.

Ahead of yesterday's court session, Prachai convened a high-level meeting on Thursday evening to sort out party affairs.

He reportedly told his party's candidates that they had to campaign on their own without his financial backing while he tried to resolve his legal problems.

He also banned his deputy Thanaporn Sriyakul from entering party headquarters on suspicion of acting as a spy for Thaksin.

Kesinee Jaikawang

The Nation