Thai Democrats To Field Apirak In Bangkok

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BY ELECTION

Democrats to field Apirak in Bangkok

By The Nation

The ruling Democrat Party yesterday nominated Apirak Kosayodhin as its candidate for the December 12 by-election in Bangkok’s Constituency 2, even though he was indicted in the fire-engine scandal, which forced him to step down as the capital’s governor two years ago.

Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that the Democrat Party would be happy to cover the cost of holding another by-election if Apirak was found guilty and had to lose his MP seat.

“The party and I will take responsibility for our decision, and will be ready to cover the cost of a [new] by-election,” Abhisit said.

The prime minister added that Apirak should be considered innocent until proven guilty, adding that he had resigned as Bangkok governor after the indictment even though he was not required to do so by law. Abhisit said party executives had been firm about not giving Apirak any ministerial posts until a verdict has been handed down, but becoming an MP is another matter.

“As an MP, he can serve the people but is prevented by the Constitution from getting involved with running the country,” Abhisit said, adding that he had no plans of giving any Cabinet posts to Apirak before the case is over.

When asked why the Democrats were not waiting until the case was resolved, Abhisit responded: “We don’t know when the case will be over. We find that Apirak is appropriate for the job of an MP.”

When asked if there were no other more suitable candidates, Abhisit said the party had several suitable candidates but Apirak was outstanding.

Senior Democrat executives met at the party headquarters yesterday to pick two candidates for the Bangkok and Khon Kaen by-elections, which were called to fill the seats left vacant by MPs disqualified by the Constitution Court recently for unconstitutional shareholding. The banned MPs are Bhum Jai Thai Party’s Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat and Chart Thai Pattana Party’s Deputy Transport Minister Kuakul Danchaiwijit.

The Democrat Party will be fielding Athipparat Thadpitchayangkoon in Khon Kaen’s Constituency 2. Athipparat is an educational administrator in the Northeast province.

Apirak said yesterday that he had stepped down from his post as adviser to the PM and as deputy chairman of the government’s coordination centre for flood relief.

He said that he always hoped to become an MP, but didn’t think that he would get the opportunity so soon.

-- The Nation 2010-11-20

[SomTumTiger]

Good - another honorable politician in a sea of cockroaches