PM accused of violating charter

Premier Somchai Wongsawat yesterday faced fresh allegation of constitutional violations, which if found to be true, could lead to his disqualification as an MP and prime minister.

Appointed Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana said he would file a complaint with the Election Commission to check whether Somchai had violated Article 267, 265 and 106 (6) of the Constitution by holding shares in CS Loxinfo that has a concession with CAT, and having his daughter hold shares in M Link a company that operates a state concession.

Ruangkrai's earlier complaint against former prime minister Samak Sundaravej of violating the Constitution by hosting his cooking programme had resulted in Samak losing his premiership early this month.

He said he suspected Somchai may have disqualified himself since January 22 this year by allegedly holding shares in CS Loxinfo, which operates a state concession or is a contract partner of a state enterprise. That would be a violation of Article 265 (2), resulting in him being disqualified as an MP as per Article 106 (6), and disqualified as PM as per Article 171.

CS Loxinfo is an Internet service provider, sending and receiving satellite signals for local and international communications, producing telephone books, besides also being in the publishing and advertising business. The company is a contract partner of CAT with a licence to provide sending and receiving television signals and Internet via satellite for 22 years.

He said Somchai may also have violated Article 48 of the Constitution which stipulates that political office holders cannot hold shares or own companies that operate newspapers, radio, television and telecommunication businesses both directly or by nominees or in any indirect method. Article 182 (7) stipulates that a minister's term will end if they have violated Article 267, 268 and 269 of the Constitution.

Ruangkrai said that Chinnicha Wongsawat, Somchai's daughter who is People Power Party's Chiang Mai MP, filed assets declaration that showed she held 70 million shares in M Link Asia, which is a contract partner with a state enterprise, the Provincial Electricity Authority.

Ruangkrai last week sought an investigation into alleged asset concealment by Chinnicha.

Chinnicha's asset statement filed back in January declares a net worth of Bt287 million, Ruangkrai said. It says Chinnicha has assets of Bt362 million and liabilities of Bt75 million.

The liabilities include bank loans of Bt74 million.

Ruangkrai said Chinnicha had failed to declare Bt100 million in bank accounts impounded by the Assets Examination Committee.

In seeking the release of those funds, Chinnicha contended the money was loaned by her uncle Bhanapot Damapong to finance her businesses.

She did not disclose the impounded accounts or the loan transaction in her asset statement, Ruangkrai asserted.