KHON KAEN: Ban Phai district municipality mayor Premsak Piayura is facing a full inquiry and could be removed from his position if found to have forced a news reporter to strip off his clothes, as alleged.
Khon Kaen governor Kamthorn Thavornsathit said yesterday an inquiry panel had been set up after the reporter complained.
"Such an incident should not have happened and it would be improper if it did occur as alleged. The panel will be chaired by provincial assistant governor Surachai Wattana-udomchai, who will oversee a 15-day investigation.
"If the probe finds Mr Premsak guilty of going too far by ordering his subordinates to take off a reporter's trousers, and illegally detaining other reporters, he will be removed from his post."
In his capacity as governor overseeing local bodies, Mr Kamthorn said, he would propose the Interior Ministry dismiss the mayor if the allegations were found to be true.
Mr Premsak served as a Khon Kaen MP before shifting to local-level politics. He found himself in strife after he allegedly had four municipal officials strip the trousers off Korsit Kongchom, a reporter for the Thai-language Daily News, in front of four other Khon Kaen-based reporters in a locked room at the mayor's offices on Tuesday.
The mayor also ordered his subordinates to seize cameras and mobile phones from Mr Korsit and the other reporters in the room. Earlier, he told them he would make a statement regarding a news story about him and a teenage girl.
The story, on the front page of the Daily News on Tuesday, featured Mr Premsak sitting near the young girl with 400,000 baht in cash in front of them at the girl's house, in what looked like a Thai engagement ceremony. The pictures went viral online.
According to the story, the girl is a Mathayom 5 student, indicating she is 16-17 years old. Mr Premsak, 51, is married to a Ms Orathai, a lecturer at Khon Kaen University.
The report angered Mr Premsak, who allegedly ordered his men strip Mr Korsit down to his underwear and take photos of the reporter, who was allowed to dress again five minutes later. It was seen as an act of revenge for the news story. Mr Korsit and the other reporters were kept inside the room for about two hours before being allowed to leave.
On Tuesday Mr Premsak claimed he was pictured with the girl because he was helping her family.
Mr Korsit and the other reporters yesterday filed a complaint against Mr Premsak with the Khon Kaen provincial police commander over the incident.
Reporters from Khon Kaen and nearby provinces thronged the provincial police office in a show of support and to cover the story.
Pol Maj Gen Jitjaroon Sriwanit, commander of the Khon Kaen Provincial Police Office, said he had also ordered an inquiry into the case to ensure justice for both sides, as the case had drawn public attention.
Charges of defamation and forcing others to act against their will may be filed against the accused politician, the provincial police chief said.
Mr Premsak planned to file a counter-complaint against the reporters yesterday. Writing on social media, Mr Premsak said he filed a complaint with Ban Phai police at 8.30am against a group of reporters for intruding into his mayoral office on Tuesday.
He accused them of stepping up pressure on him to provide information that would not benefit the public. Such behaviour violated the rights and liberties of an individual, he claimed. Instead of allowing him to work for the public interest, those people had taken his time, keeping him from helping people who needed assistance and public services, he said.
Earlier, the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) condemned Mr Premsak for allegedly forcing the reporter to take off his clothes.
The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday decided not to conduct the planned presentation of a community service award to Mr Premsak set for the middle of August. NLA member Wallop Tangkhananurak, chairman of the sub-committee on the needy, said there were two incidents which needed clarifying.
Although the first incident, which looked like an engagement ceremony, was a personal affair, there were questions about Mr Premsak's family status. The second incident, stripping a reporter, would require time to investigate, he said.
The award was for community service and it was important the recipient have an unblemished record.