Srisuwan to seek EC probe into ‘violations’ by Future Forward leaders

By THE NATION

 

 

A POLITICAL pressure group will today petition the Election Commission (EC) to investigate alleged violations of the electoral law by two top executives of the anti-junta Future Forward Party.

 

Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for Protection of the Thai Constitution, said yesterday that Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was suspected of involvement in posting false information regarding his work experience on the party’s website.

 

In Thanathorn’s brief biography on the site, he was earlier described as a former president of the Federation of Thai Industries, serving between 2008 and 2012, when in fact he had been the president of the federation’s Nakhon Nayok chapter. 

 

Srisuwan said the “false profile” appeared on the site for five months. A correction was made after it was exposed in the news media and became a hot topic on social media.

 

Srisuwan said yesterday any candidates or political parties distributing untrue information for the purpose of gaining votes were violating electoral law. If found guilty, they could face between one and 10 years in jail, a fine of between Bt20,000 and Bt200,000, or both, he noted.

 

“And the court will revoke their electoral rights for 20 years,” he added.

 

“Nobody has been able to say with certainty whether Thanathorn and Future Forward had the intention to deceive voters. A lot of relevant factors need to be taken into consideration. The EC has to investigate this matter and refer it to a court for a verdict that will set the precedent,” Srisuwan said.

 

Srisuwan, who is known for regularly filing complaints against politicians and state agencies, said yesterday he would also ask the EC to investigate Future Forward secretary-general Piyabutr Saengka-nokkul to determine if he too had violated electoral law.

 

The activist said Piyabutr had posted on Facebook on February 18 that, “the central state joins hands with certain media groups in producing content that makes northeastern people look funny and ignorant”.

 

Thanathorn yesterday said he had no concerns about Srisuwan’s imminent complaint with the EC.

 

“We are moving forward with determination,” he said on the campaign trail in Samut Prakan province, where he was accompanying his party’s candidates to meet residents.

 

All parties continued campaigning yesterday in the run-up to the March 24 general election.

 

In northeastern Nong Khai, key Pheu Thai Party figure Chalerm Yoobamrung joined local candidates in wooing voters.

 

“I believe Pheu Thai will win all the MP seats in the Northeast and form the next government,” said the 72-year-old veteran.

 

In Nakhon Ratchasima province, former red-shirt leader Suporn Atthawong, who defected from Pheu Thai to run for the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party, said yesterday that more than 100 of his campaign posters in the province had been damaged or stolen.

 

“I believe it’s the work of people who want to discredit me for political ends,” he said.

 

Suporn showed reporters many posters that were slashed and torn down. Several bore the image of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is his new party’s PM candidate.

 

The politician said he had told his campaign staff to file a police complaint over the damages.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30364693

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-02-25

Jeez, talk about nit picking.

 

Makes me wonder if Thanathorn is heading to jail before the election.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for Protection of the Thai Constitution,

busy guy, thailand writes a new one every few years

25 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

Jeez, talk about nit picking.

 

Makes me wonder if Thanathorn is heading to jail before the election.

Probably not before 24th of March, - but during the following 60 days he may be vulnerable!

This guy too good he needs locking up .

about best fresh face in thai politics in over 2 decades ...

Not a forward thinking Thai person ( Srisuwan )

being pedantic on this issue, one wonders if he wants any  political change,

never mind the swell of support the countries youth wants with this FFP, 

 

when you have land issues and watches,  and others that I myself have forgotten 

over this time period of the Junta, 

readjustment camp and a week re writing his bio over and over again, like a school boy, 

maybe that would appease Srisuwan.

 

Would seem a certain group is running scared. They must be combing through every word written and uttered by this major threat to their unblemished activities, of course that's not counting land deals, watches, and aiding criminals to skip the country or failing to request the return of such criminals - but guess that doesn't count, as 

all animals are not created equal. 

Ridiculous and stupid as well. Nobody was deceived in any way - there is only one reason for this - Thanathorn is becoming to popular and all this is is harassment, jealousy and fear.

Any lawyer would tell these fools who want nothing more than to get themselves into the news that it was a genuine mistake by the webmaster and that Thanathorn can not be held responsible for the mistake of the webmaster.

But then again in this country where people are threatened and sued for telling the truth and offices like the EC are filled with puppets pretending to act according to laws passed by a criminal, illegitimate government whose leadership broke every law of the land and then pardoned themselves - just laughable and pathetic!

 

What a sad country this has become!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect

 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for Protection of the Thai Constitution

Shouldn't it read: Protection of the Thai Constitution after it was conveniently modified by the junta?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Chalerm Yoobamrung joined local candidates in wooing voters.

“I believe Pheu Thai will win all the MP seats in the Northeast and form the next government,” said the 72-year-old veteran.

What is his catchy slogan? "Free ear medicine for all?"

I am pro future forward, its stupid that they let themselves open for attack like this. If your fighting the junta you need to be totally clean because otherwise they will try stuff like this and shut you down.

 

I hope the judges see that no harm was done, but you never know with pro junta judges. That being said some are sensible. 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for Protection of the Thai Constitution,

 

47 minutes ago, Lupatria said:

Shouldn't it read: Protection of the Thai Constitution after it was conveniently modified by the junta?

Yeah. Wonder where he was in 2014?

History say's if someone is after your scalp you must be p***ing someone off !

Guess this guy is getting too popular for some to accept a viable opposition candidate

 

“I believe Pheu Thai will win all the MP seats in the Northeast and form the next government,” said the 72-year-old veteran, Chalerm Yubamrung..

 

I'll drink to that mate, crack a couple of bottles of your finest Merlot.

1 hour ago, robblok said:

I am pro future forward, its stupid that they let themselves open for attack like this. If your fighting the junta you need to be totally clean because otherwise they will try stuff like this and shut you down.

 

I hope the judges see that no harm was done, but you never know with pro junta judges. That being said some are sensible. 

 

1 hour ago, robblok said:

I am pro future forward, its stupid that they let themselves open for attack like this. If your fighting the junta you need to be totally clean because otherwise they will try stuff like this and shut you down.

 

I hope the judges see that no harm was done, but you never know with pro junta judges. That being said some are sensible. 

Jonathan Head, the BBC correspondent, wrote something the other day on Twitter along the lines of FFP was full of young and enthusiastic members but their inexperience showed in their lack of organisation regarding running the party. This sort of error is just the thing their enemies will pounce on.

Sooooo...let me get this straight:

 

Prayut:  basically on the campaign - trail for 4 years, including populist money- throwing left and right and a Friday evening - one man- talkshow full of propaganda, half truths and right out lies!

No big deal!

 

This guy: ...nothing of importance, really...

File complaints!

 

Jupp...seems fair!

 

Might be better if Srisuwan the so called protector of the Thai constitution , protected Democracy more and worried less about the trivial non event ,  this same person has had a junta controlling the country since 2016 and hasn't said a word about protecting the constitution nor Thailand and its people when it comes down to Section 44, then again Srisuwan might be worried about that saying , what comes around goes around. 

3 hours ago, newatthis said:

 

Yeah. Wonder where he was in 2014?

Sitting in the middle of a road junction blowing his whistle I should imagine...

5 hours ago, BuckBee said:

This guy too good he needs locking up .

about best fresh face in thai politics in over 2 decades ...

I know, BuckBee - it is amazing, isn't it? This guy, Thanathorn, is seemingly a gift to Thailand, someone people have been waiting for (or should have been waiting for) for decades. He has got all that it takes to be an impressive leader: brains, articulacy, eloquence, a sense of social justice, integrity (so far as we can judge as yet), progressive viewpoints and policies, and charisma in spades. 

He is just what Thailand needs. Yet - they are going to throw this rare individual (one way or the other) into the dustbin.

Tragic, tragic, tragic.

But as always - everything ultimately lies in the hands of the Thai people ...

Protector of the constitution? Especially now there is no proper constitution as its been carved up and sliced Junta style.. This self imposed self righteous wanna be a gate keeper needs to get his tongue out of his rear end. 

Edited February 25, 20197 yr by holy cow cm

4 hours ago, bannork said:

 

Jonathan Head, the BBC correspondent, wrote something the other day on Twitter along the lines of FFP was full of young and enthusiastic members but their inexperience showed in their lack of organisation regarding running the party. This sort of error is just the thing their enemies will pounce on.

that unfortunately is probably a good summarisation, they need a few older heads who can be trusted to assist in their near impossible endeavour. if I was able to vote - they would be my pick knowing full-well they don't have much of a chance THIS TIME, but it would pass on a bit of confidence to them. 

Edited February 25, 20197 yr by Artisi

Yeah. Wonder where he was in 2014?

Psst it is OK when good guys like Prayuth are shredding the constitution to pieces.

Yet a totally other thing when a legitimate government with a 300/500 seat mandate tries to amend a few articles...

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

On 2/24/2019 at 7:57 PM, leeneeds said:

Not a forward thinking Thai person ( Srisuwan )

being pedantic on this issue, one wonders if he wants any  political change,

never mind the swell of support the countries youth wants with this FFP, 

 

when you have land issues and watches,  and others that I myself have forgotten 

over this time period of the Junta, 

readjustment camp and a week re writing his bio over and over again, like a school boy, 

maybe that would appease Srisuwan.

 

It is sad that the likely result of this election will be the status quo when other, better, options are available but will likely be taken away before they can contest the election.