Radio host affected poll
Witnesses told the Constitution Tribunal yesterday a community radio host close to a Democrat Party deputy leader organised the blockade of a candidate registration centre in Songkhla last April.
Yesterday was the fifth hearing of an electoral fraud case against the Democrat Party, which was accused of obstructing the registration. If found guilty, the party could be dissolved.Khon Kho Plod Nee Party leader Chuchat Prathan-tham, who has changed his name from Kusol Meethes, said Hat Yai people knew radio host Chalee Noppawong was close to Trairong Suwankhiri. Chalee was at the scene on April 9 last year when hundreds of protesters in Songkhla blocked candidates from smaller parties from registering for the April 23 by-election by laying siege to the election office, Chuchat said. Chuchat said his candidates, Pattama Chaiket and Nitithammawat Rattanasu-wan, were blocked by the protesters and could not leave to get necessary documents. His candidates were also threatened by the Democrats not to stand, he claimed. Although he did not file a complaint for detention, he filed one for obstructing registration against the group. Kasemsan Yodsurang, Khon Kho Plod Nee's coordinator, said Thavorn asked another candidate, Damrong Petch-pong, not to run in the poll. He said he saw Trairong's picture at the radio station and understood Chalee's relationship with him. The radio station also reportedly said candidates opposing Thai Rak Thai would be condemned. However, none of Khon Kho Plod Nee's witnesses said they saw former Democrat MPs at the registration centre. Thavorn said Damrong had complained to the Criminal Court that the Election Commission failed to hold the election freely and fairly. Kornchanok Raksaseri The Nation
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