Ratchaburi Candidate Banned From Running in Current Election

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Democrat candidate ends political career

Ratchaburi - Democrat candidate Boonmak Sirinavakul announced the end of his political career following the high court's verdict to ban him from the electoral process for 10 years in connection with his votebuying conviction in 2001.

Yesterday's ruling effectively disqualified Boonmak from the race in Ratchaburi constituency 2.

"This is the end for me; from now on I will go back to teaching," Boonmak said in reference to his position as a university lecturer before entering politics.

He said he was grateful to his constituents and the Democrat Party for their continuing support throughout the lengthy litigation.

Four years ago, the Election Commission red carded him after a sting operation to link him to vote buying. Two electoral officials testified as eye witnesses to a transaction that two constituents received Bt1,000 in cash from him.

The defence contended that the charges were a frameup. The lower court and the appellate review ruled in favour of the defence 2004 and 2005 respectively.

The Supreme Court overturned the previous two decisions on grounds of prosecution evidence linking Boonmak to the cash.

In addition to the voting ban, Boonmak was given a twoyear suspended jail term and fined Bt20,000.

--The Nation