MANIT SANABBOON

Chachoengsao _ Police are investigating claims that Senator Bunlert Pairin carried a weapon to intimidate poll officials at a ballot counting station on Sunday night.

Local police chief Col Chamras Vutthivoraphan said an investigation into the allegation was under way.

More evidence was needed, including a photo of the senator carrying the gun into the tally room along with eyewitness accounts.

The probe follows a complaint by Thawat Ouwichian, constituency 1 election committee chairman, that Mr Bunlert intimidated poll officials at Sarapatchang Vocational College's conference hall, which had been turned into a ballot counting venue on the night of Feb 6.

Police would summon the person who reportedly took a photo of the senator carrying an object resembling a pistol.

Somnuek Thaksina, chairman of the provincial election panel, said he had already reported the incident to the Election Commission.

Pol Col Sombat Buaruang, deputy provincial police chief, said he had yet to receive a report on the case. If the accused senator had carried the gun as claimed, he would be asked to explain why.

The deputy police chief said Mr Pairin was assigned by the Senate panel on local administrative affairs to monitor the work of state officials and staff of independent agencies tasked with supervising elections in Chachoengsao and Chon Buri provinces. He was allowed to carry a gun while performing his duties, the officer said.