Sereepisuth won't take rap for 'ya ice' scandal

Sereepisuth won't take rap for 'ya ice' scandal

Suban Mahachanon, circled, talks to police during his arrest. (Police photo)
Suban Mahachanon, circled, talks to police during his arrest. (Police photo)

Seri Ruam Thai Party leader Sereepisuth Temeeyaves rejected suggestions on Thursday that he should be held responsible for one of his party members being arrested for drug trafficking.

Suban Mahachanon was among four Thai and Chinese suspects apprehended for allegedly preparing to smuggle 985 kg of crystal methamphetamine, or ya ice, abroad. The 57-year-old was later identified as a former party-list MP candidate for Seri Ruam Thai who ran in the March 24 general election.

Pol Gen Sereepisuth on Wednesday did admit that his party did not inspect Mr Suban's qualifications as thoroughly as it should have done.

The party examined their qualifications but did not delve deeply into whether they had criminal records, Pol Gen Sereepisuth said, adding that he does not know Mr Suban personally.

Asked by reporters whether he should be held accountable for Mr Suban's actions, Pol Gen Sereepisuth bluntly rejected this, reasoning that it was a personal issue for Mr Suban.

"Please use your brains to think about exactly what kind of responsibility I should take," the outspoken party leader said.

"If a government official commits a wrongdoing, does a prime minister need to be held responsible for him?"

Mr Suban has denied involvement in drug trafficking though officers said they have security camera footage showing him inspecting a goods container, in which ya ice worth over 2 billion baht was hidden in 34 shoe boxes, deputy Narcotics Suppression Bureau chief Pol Maj Gen Phonchai Charoenwong said.

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