PM to decide on MP cases this week

Social Development and Human Security Minister Witoon Nambutr, a Democrat MP for Ubon Ratchathani, has been accused of involvement in irregularities surrounding the purchase of rotten canned fish.

Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat, a Bhum Jai Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima, was suspected of vote buying by distributing Bt500 bills and his business card to his constituents in the northeastern province.

Abhisit said he would make his judgement by putting the country's interest first and upholding the nine principles of good governance that he had promised to follow during his term.

He said there was no need to take action in Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban's case.

Suthep did not need to step down because the case was not yet clear, he said.

Suthep has been charged with violating election laws by issuing scholarships to help a candidate campaign for the election of the president of the Surat Thani Provincial Administration Organisation.

Abhisit said the case would be under the consideration of the Appeals Court so he would let it proceed according to the justice system. Suthep has yet to give testimony before the EC, he said.

The EC resolved last Thursday to call a new election after the winner, Thani, Suthep's younger brother, was accused of violating the election law by distributing scholarships during the election campaign.

EC secretarygeneral Suthipol Thaweechaikarn had said the EC would seek the Appeals Court ruling on whether to affirm the EC's decision to call a byelection. If the court approves, the EC would take criminal action against the Thaugsuban, otherwise it would drop the case.

Suthep denied that he distributed the scholarships during the election campaign in Surat Thani's Kho Samui during the Songkran festival. He admitted he had earlier awarded scholarships to 48 students but after the election law became stricter, he stopped giving out scholarships.

Suthep said he would fight the case through the three courts and that would take a long time.

He dismissed calls for him to resign to set a political precedent since he could be facing a criminal charge. His case was different from former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin because the firefighting equipment scandal involved state funds, he said.

Suthep also responded to the call by the opposition to remove Witoon, who is said to be close to Suthep, saying he would not protect wrongdoers.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the party was now gathering evidence to file a complaint with the National AntiCorruption Commission against a woman MP with the initial "B" who was an influential person at the Social Development Ministry. She would be accused of violating Article 266 by having a conflict of interest as an MP.

The party will also take legal action against a political office holder for violating Article 157 of the Criminal Code for malfeasance over the rotten canned fish scandal, he said.