EC to assess TRT case
The five-member Election Commission (EC) is expected to convene a full session today to decide whether to launch criminal action against two Thai Rak Thai executives and seven accomplices linked to the party's conviction for electoral fraud.
The EC-appointed litigation panel completed a report yesterday that recommended the matter should go to trial on the grounds that it had sufficient evidence for convictions. If the EC endorses the report, the two prime defendants would be former defence minister Thamarak Isarangura and former Transport minister Pongsak Ruktapongpisal. Their seven accomplices are two senior military officers and five civilians who worked as Thamarak's aides. They are General Trairong Intarathat, Lt General Padungsak Klansanoh, Pongsri "Yuthapong" Siwamoke, Thawee Suwanpat, Thirachai "Toy" Julapat, Somchai Sukprasert and Prapan Phromrat. The criminal litigation, if launched, follows a court verdict on May 30 that found the former ruling party guilty of fraud - bankrolling two small parties and tampering with party membership records in connection with the botched April 2 election last year. The Tribunal singled out Thamarak, Pongsak and seven accomplices as main culprits linked to the wrongdoing.
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