EC disqualifies Matchimatipataya candidate

EC disqualifies Matchimatipataya candidate

The Election Commission (EC) disqualified one more winning candidate from the Matchimatipataya Party in Prachinburi on charges of vote buying, according to election commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham.

Mrs. Sodsri said the five-member poll agency voted 4-1 to disqualify Sunthorn Wilawan, a candidate from Prachinburi's Constituency 1, citing clear evidence the elected candidate promised to give benefits to voters through his canvasser in exchange for votes, which they deemed as vote-buying.

The case would be forwarded to the Council of State, the top legal body for deliberation before a by-election scheduled to be held on January 20.

The EC's latest decision raises the number of poll winners given red cards to six.

Election officials earlier disqualified two elected candidates from Chart Thai and three winners from the People Power Party (PPP) after winning seats in the northeastern province of Buri Ram in the December 23 election.

The poll agency issued yellow cards to 14 elected candidates, 12 from the PPP and one each for the Democrat and Chart Thai parties.

The PPP, aligned with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won 233 seats in 480-seat lower house of Parliament, while the Democrats placed second with 165 seats. (TNA)

16:45 Jan 08, 2008


Thaksin explains why wife returns to Thailand

(BangkokPost.com) - Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra issued a statement Tuesday pointing out three reasons why his wife Khunying Potjaman decided to return to Thailand this morning.

‘Khunying Potjaman returns to Thailand to pay respect to the body of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana on behalf of me, and the Shinawatra and Damapong families,’ he said in the statement.

‘Secondly, she would like to surrender to fight court cases and to prove her innocence.’

In addition, she wanted to return to live a peaceful life with her family and to take care of her children.

14:09 Jan 08, 2008


Prachai clarifies position at Matchimathipataya

(Bangkokpost.com) – Mr Prachai Leophairatana has reaffirmed his status as leader of the Matchimathipataya party by handing over related documents to the Election Commission officials.

The move came in response to the recent handover of documents to the Election Commission by deputy party leader, Thanaporn Sriyakul, which stated that Mr Prachai was no longer a member of the party since he had already tendered his resignation.

Mr Thanaporn stressed that Mr Prachai was, therefore, not empowered to sign any official documents that has anything to do with the party as a result of his departure.

The party’s secretary-general, Anongwan Thepsuthin, will make a statement regarding the issue on Wednesday.

14:06 Jan 08, 2008