Election transfer rumour denied

Published on February 15, 2005

The Interior Ministry yesterday dismissed reports that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had ordered the transfer of a district chief in Angthong following the election defeat of a Thai Rak Thai candidate in his area.

Pho Thong district chief Panya Khampornlua was slapped with the transfer on Friday. He was accused of playing a role in electoral irregularities in the February 6 poll in Angthong’s Constituency 2 where an MP hopeful running under the Chat Thai banner emerged as the winner.

A former Democrat MP said Thaksin ordered the transfer of Panya.

Provincial Administration Department director general Sujarit Patchimnun yesterday dismissed the former MP’s suggestion as groundless, saying Thaksin had nothing to do with Panya’s transfer back to the Interior Ministry.

“The premier knows nothing about this decision and he has no policy on this issue,” Sujarit said.

He said his department ordered the transfer to clear the way for an investigation into Panya’s alleged wrongdoing. The Interior Ministry has already assigned an inspector-general to conduct the probe, the results of which will be forwarded to the Election Commission.

“If the probe shows the district chief is not guilty, he can return to his post,” Sujarit said.

Sujarit made his comments after Interior Minister Bhokin Bhalakula summoned him and Interior Ministry permanent secretary Sermsak Pongpanit for a half-hour discussion.

Before the meeting, Bhokin said Panya asked for the transfer because he wanted to prove his case and that he welcomed the investigation.

Some ballots were found burnt in Angthong, an issue Bhokin described as serious.

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