MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Democrat MP Thavorn Senniam yesterday supplied the Election Commission (EC) with fresh evidence to prove Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchob tried to woo voters with cash.

He gave the EC a set of audio recordings of what he said was Mr Newin's voice directing canvassers to mobilise support for Thai Rak Thai in return for cash rewards in the general election.

Mr Newin reportedly met farmers, many of whom were alleged to be his canvassers, and provincial governors at a rubber research centre in Songkhla on Jan 16.

Yesterday's move was Mr Thavorn's second attempt tp prove Mr Newin's wrongdoing. Earlier, Mr Thavorn had given the EC another set of recordings but the commission was informed by the police later on the voice in the recording did not match Mr Newin's.

The new evidence provided to the EC came with documents identifying the witnesses, he said.

He said he doubted if the police had done their best in their examination of the voice recording and accused the police scientific crime detection unit of producing findings favourable to the government. Professional sound engineers were needed to handle the case, he said.

Mr Thavorn claimed there were many witnesses but they were afraid to speak up because they had little faith in the EC's ability to ensure their safety.