TRT accuses radio host over Songkhla blockade
The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday alleged that a radio talk show host, seen as close to the Democrat Party, was the organiser of the blockade of a candidacy registration centre in Songkhla on Sunday.
"Community radio host Chalee Noppawong na Ayutthaya is close to Democrat deputy leader Trairong Suwankhiri, and his crony Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol," Thai Rak Thai deputy spokesman Jatuporn Phromphan said. Jatuporn said Chalee mobilised a crowd of Songkhla residents in an attempt to prevent aspiring candidates from small parties to contest a second round of voting. The Election Commission has called for by-elections in constituencies where lone Thai Rak Thai candidates failed to muster 20 per cent of the eligible votes. Its decision to allow additional candidates to contest the repeat vote was seen as a ploy to overcome the 20-per-cent rule. Jatuporn said Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Bhokin Bhalakula was reviewing whether to initiate legal proceedings. He also stated he had evidence to suspect supporters of anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul of being involved in the attempted disruption of the candidacy registration. Former Democrat MP Jua Rachasee said authorities should not draw a hasty judgement against Songkhla residents. Residents were exercising their democratic right to protest what they viewed as Thai Rak Thai favouritism, Jua said. They wanted to vent their frustration after learning that a small-party candidate switched to run in constituency 4 after helping a Thai Rak Thai candidate to secure victory in the first round in constituency 5, he said. Three minor parties yesterday gathered to form a union to fight for their political credibility and prove no larger party hired them to contest the election. The Pattana Chart Thai Party, Better Life Party and the Khon Kho Plod Nee Party have formed the Union of Political Parties of Thailand. Representatives told journalists in Songkhla province they wanted to participate in the election and continue as independent political parties. Union spokesman Sa-ngiam Samranrat said a complaint had been filed against a group in Songkhla who had protested at the registration last weekend. He said the protest had affected minor party candidates who were prevented from registering. He denied any politician had hired the smaller parties.
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