MANOP THIP-OSOD
People's Alliance for Democracy leader and Democrat MP Somkiat Pongpaiboon yesterday surrendered to police to hear a lese majeste charge levelled against him by a People Power party member.
He turned up the day the Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest. With the House in recess, Mr Somkiat had no parliamentary immunity.
He denied his speech to anti-government protesters verged on insulting the monarchy as PPP member Thanachart Sangpradabthamchote had claimed to police on June 29.
''Thanks to the police performance it took only three weeks to conclude my case compared to almost a year for Mr Jakrapob's [Penkair] lese majeste case,'' said Mr Somkiat.
Mr Thanachart, a PPP contender who lost in the December 2007 elections, also submitted as evidence a recording of Mr Somkiat's speech.
Mr Somkiat suggested police focus on other lese majeste cases. He was referring to the lese majeste charge Mr Jakrapob faces for his speech given at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand last August about the patronage system and Thai politics.
PAD core leader Piphob Thongchai said: ''Political pressure has forced police to adopt double standards. An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Somkiat, while Mr Jakrapob was only summoned to hear the same charge.''
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