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Published on March 21, 2008

PPP deputy party leader Yongyuth, party-list MP of Zone 1, and his sister La-ong Tiyapairat - a Chiang Rai PPP MP - are accused of violating the MP Election Act for allegedly offering money to a group of kamnan believed to be Yongyuth's canvassers in Chiang Rai's Mae Chan district to buy votes in the December general election.

Yongyuth has voluntarily stepped aside from his parliamentary duties after the EC ruled to disqualify him on February 26.

Under the new election law, political parties are accountable for their executives' action. If the court rules that Yongyuth is guilty of the charges, the EC will have to set up a panel to further investigate whether the PPP was involved in the electoral fraud. If the party is linked to the offence, the EC will seek a Constitution Court ruling to disband the party.

EC representative Tawil Intornraksa said both suspects must take a copy of the suit from the court within seven days, and then submit defence testimony within a further seven days.

The court will set the first hearing day and notify both parties at least five days in advance.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said after his official visit to Singapore that Singapore's ex-premier Lee Kuan Yew had expressed concern over the fate of Yongyuth.

"He is concerned as the Thai people are that the country has come this far and why there are still cases like this. I just thanked him for his concern," Samak said.

PM's Office Minister Choosak Sirinin said he would appoint a team of legal specialists to assist Yongyuth, although the Speaker has his own lawyers to work on the case.

The Nation