The chief of the Chiang Mai Provincial Administrative Organisation has been temporarily suspended from duty without pay after authorities found letters containing allegedly distorted information on the draft constitution at the company he owns and elsewhere in the northern province.
The order, issued under Section 44 of the interim constitution, was announced in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday and took effect immediately.
The move came after authorities on Saturday discovered thousands of envelopes bearing the addresses of residents and letters indicating the disadvantages of the draft charter during raids on six locations in Muang district. One of the raided venues was Chiang Mai Tusnaporn Co -- a wood furniture manufacturer and exporter run by Boonlert Buranupakorn, president of the Chiang Mai PAO.
Under the directive, Mr Boonlert is suspended from duty until further notice and related agencies have been instructed to swiftly launch an investigation.
Mr Boonlert’s family has been closely connected with the Pheu Thai Party. His nephew and Chiang Mai city mayor, Tassanai Buranupakorn, said Mr Boonlert left Thailand on July 19 for United States to spend his annual holidays and visit his daughter who is studying there.
He will return to Thailand on Aug 2, Mr Tassanai said.