Somsak says he's suing Charnchai

Democrat insists tape is authentic

Surasak Tumcharoen and Kosol Satithamajit

Deputy House Speaker Somsak Prisananantakul plans to bring a defamation charge against a senior Democrat who accused him of involvement in vote buying in Nakhon Nayok.

The deputy Chart Thai leader said Charnchai Issarasenarak, who earlier lost his House seat over forged education qualifications, had damaged his reputation.

Mr Charnchai has alleged that Mr Somsak, who was directing Chart Thai's election campaign, was involved in irregularities which led to Vuthichai Kittithanesuan's victory in the June 30 by-election. The Democrat's brother stood against the Chart Thai candidate.

Channel 5 recently broadcast a tape of an alleged telephone conversation between the deputy House speaker and an unidentified person about the campaign in Nakhon Nayok's constituency 2. They allegedly referred to buying votes for 200 baht each.

The tape, which was given to the station by Mr Charnchai, has been handed over to the Election Commission.

Mr Somsak has repeatedly stated the allegations are groundless.

"I never said those words as claimed," he said yesterday. He was willing to testify to this before the commission, but would still respect whatever decision it handed down.

A Chart Thai inquiry panel headed by Pol Lt-Gen Viroj Pow-in yesterday decided to wait until the poll agency passes judgment before taking any action.

He said the poll agency should determine the source of the tape and whether it had been edited or tampered with in any way.

"The commission should find out whose voice is on the tape," Pol Lt-Gen Viroj said.

"One million five hundred thousand Chart Thai members are waiting to hear the truth."

Sithichai Kittithanesuan, the elder brother of the Chart Thai candidate in the by-election, yesterday produced before the Viroj panel what he claimed was an edited tape which Mr Charnchai had used to slander his family and the party.

Pol Lt-Gen Viroj said this material had been ruled as non-evidential by the commission last year.

Mr Charnchai continued to insist the tape was an authentic recording of an actual conversation about vote buying between two senior members of the Chart Thai party.

"I can guarantee the tape is not a frame-up and the person who was speaking is Mr Somsak [Prisananantakul]," Mr Charnchai said.

The onus was now on the Election Commission to verify the tape's authenticity.

Asked about another item of evidence which he claims to have, Mr Charnchai said it had to be checked carefully before he could release it to the public.

He said on Friday it would "come as a big surprise" for Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa.

Mr Charnchai said he was ready to fight the defamation case in court should Chart Thai party go ahead and sue him.

"I believe in my innocence," he said.