IN BRIEF
ELECTION COMMISSION: Chairman backs reshuffle of officials
Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukakkanont has backed the reshuffle of 14 senior officials known to be close to the former election commissioners, who were sentenced to jail by the Criminal Court, a source said yesterday.
Officials close to former EC chairman Vasana Puemlarp, former secretary general Ekachai Warunprapa and former commissioner Virachai Naewboonnien, were promoted on July 17 to help important departments. But, in a reshuffle effective from today, the 14 have now been demoted to non-executive posts.The Criminal Court in July convicted Vasana, Virachai and Prinya Nakchudtree for malfeasance and jailed them four years without suspension after they were found guilty of violating the election law and of mishandling the April 2 poll and subsequent by-elections. The three were later released on bail for health reasons. Their cases are under appeal. RUBBER: CP seedling contract extended The Agriculture Department has extended the rubber seedling supply contract with CP Group - but threatened to penalise the firm if it is unable to fulfil its contract by the end of June next year. Adisak Srisappakit, director-general of the department, said the contract originally ended on August 30 when CP still had to supply an additional 16-17 million seedlings, worth about Bt260-Bt270 million. If CP is unable to fulfil the deal by June next year, the company is liable to a penalty of 0.2 per cent of the value of the overdue items. Its guarantee of Bt69.8 million would also be confiscated.
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