POLITICS
APIRADEE TREERUTKUARKUL
Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab spent nearly four hours in the Administrative Court defending himself on contempt charges yesterday. The court has yet to make a ruling. Mr Chaiya declined to comment on the case afterwards, but looked intense throughout his four hours at the court.
''Who doesn't feel serious coming to the court?'' he said.
The court wants more information from the journalist who quoted Mr Chaiya making remarks about the Administrative Court, said Suwapong Chanfangpetch, publishing editor of the Matichon newspaper, which published the remarks.
Mr Chaiya was summoned to testify over his comments on the court's decision on June 25 to grant a temporary injunction against a cabinet resolution sacking the entire board of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) on his recommendation.
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| Public Health Minister Chaiya Sasomsab looks strained as he defends himself before the Administrative Court bench on a contempt of court charge stemming from comments he made in newspaper interviews published on June 26. — APICHIT JINAKUL |
Former GPO board chairman Vichai Chokewiwat and five other board members had petitioned the court against the resolution.
In his comments, reported on June 26, Mr Chaiya criticised the injunction and questioned the qualifications of the judges.
The publishing editor of Manager and the editor of Post Today were also summoned to appear at the hearing.
Mr Chaiya said yesterday he will not attend the Constitution Court next Wednesday when it is expected to decide his fate.
The court is hearing a petition brought by 29 senators against his failure to declare his wife's assets. If the court upholds the complaint the minister will lose his seat in cabinet.
Article 269 of the constitution stipulates that a minister, his or her spouse, and children who hold any shares should tell the National Counter Corruption Commission within 30 days of the minister's appointment to cabinet.
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