Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he is ready to prove his innocence if needs be after the Election Commission (EC) accused him of wrongfully helping his younger brother campaign in the Surat Thani provincial election by handing out towels bearing the name of the Democrat party to elderly people on Koh Samui last year.
The Regional 8 Appeals Court on Thursday upheld the finding of the Election Commission and ordered a fresh election for the Surat Thani Provincial Administration Organisation .
Mr Suthep's brother Mr Thani ran under the Democrat banner.
A complaint was filed with the Election Commission by Montri Phetkhum, who was also a candidate.
The EC voided Mr Thani's election and disqualified another Democrat candidate. It then sought a court ruling because the results had already been endorsed.
After the appeals court upheld the decision the EC announced it would begin legal procedings against Mr Suthep for electoral offences, which could see him banned from politics and fined or even jailed if convicted.
Mr Suthep refused flatly to even consider the opposition parties' demand that he resign over the case.
He said the events occurred before he was appointed deputy prime minister when the current government took power. He would prove his innocence in court if necessary.
Mr Suthep was secretary-general of the Democrat party at the time, a position he still holds.
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- Writer: BangkokPost.com
