ELECTION PROBE: Panel files petition seeking ouster of TRT hopeful Karun

Published on February 2, 2005

Candidate denies allegations of fake qualifications

The Election Commission will today file a petition with the Supreme Court in an effort to disqualify Thai Rak Thai MP candidate Karun Hosakul, following a decision by Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University to revoke his bachelor’s degree, a senior official said yesterday.

Bangkok Election Commission director Chainarong Thianmongkol said the commission had received confirmation that the university council had revoked Karun’s degree. Since election law requires all candidates to have a bachelor’s degree, the commission had sufficient evidence to disqualify Karun, despite his submission of a master’s degree with his candidacy application, Chainarong said.

The commission does not require confirmation of Karun’s higher vocational college education, he added.

A source at the court said Article 34/1(2) of the Election Act stated that if the Supreme Court did not give a ruling by election day, the case must be automatically rejected and the election continue as planned. The source said the Supreme Court’s regulations stated that the court has four days to consider the case.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday said the party would take responsibility for any damage and pay for the cost of a by-election.

“If the party has caused any damage or a by-election, it will take responsibility and cover all expenses,” Thaksin said, adding that the party would respect the commission’s rules.

Karun, meanwhile, said he would take his higher vocational college certificates to the Higher Education Commission to deny the allegations that he was admitted into Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University with fake qualifications.

During a press conference at Shinawatra 3 Building yesterday morning, he said he would submit his documents to the commission to appeal for justice because, according to media reports, the university council held a secret meeting on Saturday before revoking his degree.

“I want justice. I confirm that this school exists,” said Karun, who also presented related documents, including a report on his higher vocational college certificate, certified by Dhurakit Bundit Technical College’s director Suriya Kitcharak on November 26, 1999.

Thai Rak Thai spokesman Suranan Vejjajiva urged the public to give Karun a chance. He said the party had ordered a probe into Karun’s education and the candidate would be dealt with according to the law if he was found guilty. But Karun would represent TRT until such time as he is found guilty and the EC issues a ruling on the case.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-acha dismissed allegations that Chat Thai was behind this case.

“It is not Chat Thai’s intention to bully Karun, but since the case has emerged, the EC should conduct a probe,” Banharn said.

Meanwhile, Thaksin said he was unable to attend Karun’s rally at Bunanant market in Don Muang on Monday because he felt unwell after the Cabinet hosted the funeral of Khun Poom Jensen, His Majesty the King’s grandson, who was killed in the tsunami on December 26.

“The funeral finished late and I felt unwell. Today the fever seems to have returned because of lack of rest,” he said.

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