EC rules to disqualify deputy health minister

The Election Commission on Wednesday decided by a majority vote to disqualify Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nop-amornbodi for holding shares in companies prohibited to MPs by the constitution, EC secretary-general Suthipol Thaweechaikarn said.

Article 265 of the constitution prohibits cabinet ministers, members of the House and senators from holding shares in companies which have a state concession or media interests.

Mr Suthipol said Mr Manit is one of the six cabinet ministers whose stock assets were examined by a subcommittee of the EC.

The other five ministers are Deputy Transport Minister Kuarkul Danphisitchaikul of the Chart Thai Pattana Party, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart of Chart Thai Pattana, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat of Bhumjaithai, Labour Minister Paithoon Kaewthong of the Democrats and Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul of Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana.

Only Mr Manit was found to have violated Article 265 of the constitution, he said.

Mr Suthipol said Mr Manit was found to have 500 shares in True Corporation, which runs a television network, and four million shares in TPI Polene Plc, which has a state concession.

The EC will forward its finding to the Constitution Court for a final ruling, as required by Article 282 of the constitution, he said.

The EC also looked at the investigation report on the 258 million baht donation allegedly made by TPI Polene Plc to the Democrat Party in violation of the constitution.

Mr Suthipol said each of the five election commissioners was given a copy of the investigation report and seven days to study it. All EC members will meet on Nov 10, when a ruling in the case may be made, he said.

Also on Nov 10, the EC will consider a petition accusing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban of  interfering in the police handling of the investigation into the attempted murder of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

The EC today also resolved to set up a subcommittee to investigate issuies raised in a petition lodged by Adm Bannawit Kengrian, chairman of the committee for monitoring use of state power of the People's Assembly of Thailand. He ac cused Mr Abhisit and Mr Suthep of inviting former MPs under a five-year ban from active politics to a consultation on constitutional amendments.

The subcommittee will detrmine whether this contravened the constitution, Mr Suthipol said.