Panel receives recording of vote-buying conversation

Chart Thai would not be given the tape

Mongkol Bangprapa

A tape recording allegedly featuring two Chart Thai members discussing vote-buying tactics has been handed over to the Election Commission.

Army-run Channel 5 television station aired the tape on Saturday during the third round of elections in Nakhon Nayok and five other provinces.

The conversation allegedly took place between Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prisnananthakul and Nakhon Nayok MP Sithichai Kittithanesuan. They discussed buying votes in Nakhon Nayok, where Chart Thai candidate Wuthichai Kittithanesuan beat his Democrat rival Wikij Issarasenarak.

The tape was handed over to Sawat Chotipanich, a commissioner for poll fraud investigations, by Thares Thanasomboon, head of local news.

Col Pirasan Rattanakulseriroengrit, Channel 5's head of news, said a reporter received the tape. Whether the voices were those of Mr Somsak and Mr Sithichai was for the commission to decide.

He said the tape would not be given to the Chart Thai Party.

Col Pirasan said Channel 5 aired the tape without mentioning any names or political parties. The station performed its duty to inform, without intending to side with any particular party. Mr Sawat said Scientific Crime Detection Division police would be asked to identify the voices.

If the tape recording was genuine, those involved would be subject to legal action.

Charnchai Issarasenarak, an elder brother of Mr Wikij, said Mr Somsak and Mr Sithichai should be given a chance to appear on television to publicly deny their involvement. The tape should be played at the same time, he said.

Mr Charnchai said he was sure the voices were those of Mr Somsak and Mr Sithichai after listening to the tape and having the voices tested.

- The Thai Journalists Association has called on the government to stop interfering in news coverage.

The association referred to a recent warning issued by the army to all its radio and television stations to be "cautious in their coverage" of news about politics, politicians, the prime minister and cabinet ministers.

The warning, issued in an open letter, also said the stations should present the news in a constructive manner and help publicise policies and measures prescribed by the government. The association deemed the army's warning an obstruction of media freedom and called for an end to the interference. Media outlets, even if run by the state, were public property and must serve the interests of the people at large.

- The Election Commission yesterday endorsed the re-election of Sunee Inchat as senator of Si Sa Ket province.

Mrs Sunee won the May 26 by-election called after the commission stripped 10 senators of their status for breaching campaign rules.

After May 26, the commission did not immediately endorse Mrs Sunee's victory because there were many complaints of fraud against her. She was cleared after the panel found no evidence to substantiate the complaints.