'Honest' Phuket mayor 'won't sue DSI'

[webfact]

'Honest' Phuket mayor 'won't sue DSI'
Naraporn Tuarob



PHUKET: -- Patong Mayor Pian Keesin has denied he is an “influential person”, as alleged by Department of Special Investigations Director Tarit Pengdith, but has said that, unlike others in the same position, he will not sue the DSI for defamation.

After a Municipality meeting this morning he told reporters, “I’ve never had a reputation for extortion. If I were a real gangster, I would go and get the DSI. But I’m not.

“If the DSI comes to me, I will cooperate with them, but I won’t go to them when I don’t know what I’m supposed to have done wrong. I still can’t figure out what they think I’ve done wrong.

“In my life up until now, I have always done good deeds, so I’m not worried about the accusation. I would urge the DSI first to check the profiles [of the 11 people and groups named as ‘influential’] and be sure that they really are ‘influential’ figures.

“I have been a local politician all my life. If I had gone off the rails, I wouldn’t have stayed in this post for long. I and officials here have taken care to ensure the town is safe and runs smoothly.

“For those who come to earn a living in Phuket, we have to support them so that they do not create problems. For the taxis, yes, there are [people who create] problems, but they are a minority.”

Asked about his involvement with Pisona, a major player in the Patong transport scene, he said, “The DSI might think that I am involved in the business but I’ll be honest, I never have been.

“My son does this business – and I have brought my children up to be honest people.

“So the DSI should put the charges to us and tell us what [they think] we did wrong. We will correct it and won’t make any excuses for ourselves.

“The way I govern the town might not be 100 per cent correct, but for me the happiness of the townspeople is the top priority.

“I urge the DSI to be fair and check; they may have received inaccurate information.”

Unlike three other people on the list, Mayor Pian said he had no intention of taking legal action against the DSI.

“I’m not going to sue anybody, but the DSI officials should be even-handed. Every situation has two sides. There are people who are satisfied and people who are not.”

In a wide-ranging session, Mayor Pian also answered questions about the possibility he may be ordered to step down soon because of alleged irregularities in elections almost a year ago. He said he would not fight any court order.

“I don’t mind about that; we have to follow whatever the regulations say. If the Central Election Commission takes the case to the court and the court makes a judgement that I am out and there will be new elections, then I won’t fight the ruling. I will contest those elections.”

Noting that he is now 70 years old, Mayor Pian said he will not stay on as Mayor forever. “If people elect me, then I’ll have to do it. But I think I will stay for only one more term.”

Who will take over the reins after that? Not his son Phrap, the Mayor said. “I have never thought to push my son into politics. I have never thought I would bring my family name into this.

“I have been happy to serve the people all my life. Other people now have the right to take care of the town.”

Source:http://www.thephuketnews.com/%E2%80%98honest%E2%80%99-phuket-mayor-%E2%80%98won%E2%80%99t-sue-dsi%E2%80%99-41433.php


-- Phuket News 2013-08-15

[gl555]

To Mayor Pian,

Cool story, bro!

[andreandre]

One of his 'other' jobs could be writing scripts for thai soap operas on TV...his story here is as unbelievable as are the soapies the thais love to watch.......Does he really think he's fooling anyone with this sort of rave?

[theblether]

Asked about his involvement with Pisona, a major player in the Patong transport scene, he said, “The DSI might think that I am involved in the business but I’ll be honest, I never have been.

“My son does this business – and I have brought my children up to be honest people.

That's right, blame your laddie.............

and what's that they say about people who start sentences with " I'll be honest "?

[dcutman]

A face only a mother can love. But probably still not trust.

[Tatsujin]

1. Has the definition of "honest" changed in the last 24 hours?

2. It's not me, it's my son who's involved in the dodgy stuff. Right.

[LivinginKata]

How can a mayor of Patong not be an 'influential person' ? It's obvious that he must have influence, whether good, or bad, or whatever.

[NamKangMan]

How can a mayor of Patong not be an 'influential person' ? It's obvious that he must have influence, whether good, or bad, or whatever.

Influential or not, he sure drinks a lot of "tea." :) :)

[tingtongfarang]

A face only a mother can love. But probably still not trust.

Lets just say he does,nt look like a guy i would buy a used car from

[dcutman]

A face only a mother can love. But probably still not trust.

Lets just say he does,nt look like a guy i would buy a used car from

Or piss off, for that matter.

I am only guessing, but the large scare on his cheek is not from a Bic razor.

[NamKangMan]

A face only a mother can love. But probably still not trust.

Lets just say he does,nt look like a guy i would buy a used car from

Or piss off, for that matter.

I am only guessing, but the large scare on his cheek is not from a Bic razor.

Maybe it was from a motorbike accident because the tuk-tuks are too expensive for him. :) :)

[geezer2]

One of his 'other' jobs could be writing scripts for soap operas on TV...his story here is as unbelievable as are the soapies the thais love to watch.......Does he really think he's fooling anyone with this sort of rave?

oh a crossroads (UK) finished years ago..and you know he is lying because his lips are moving

[andreandre]

Same as this gem;

Asked about his involvement with Pisona, a major player in the Patong transport scene, he said, “The DSI might think that I am involved in the business but I’ll be honest, I never have been.

if i remember correctly he did own Pisona and many other interests, but when elected mayor, he had to relinquish control of them all as part of mayoral requirements...Who to? Directly to his son, so he is not being truthful in saying "I’ll be honest, I never have been."

[jocko]

I wonder where he got all his baht from ?

[lemoncake]

He denied being an influential person ? He is the mayor of a worlds major tourist destination city and he thinks it's not influential ?

Thank god he decided not to sue, as most incapable lawyer in the world would be able to prove otherwise

[steelepulse]

I thought I was reading The Onion. This is serious comedy gold for anyone that has any knowledge of how things have been run in Patong for the past 15 years. Remember the one year the mayor lost and accused the opposition of vote buying and reelections were held and all of a sudden he's the mayor again. Imagine that! i wonder if all tuk tuk and taxi drivers are given a monthly association discount after proving their vote for the mayor, or if they are simply kicked out of the association if not voting for the mayor?

Edited August 16, 2013 by steelepulse

[Songhua]

He's decided it's more beneficial to zip it than to sue and have to fend off any argument to the contrary. Wise.

Edited August 16, 2013 by Songhua

[NamKangMan]

He denied being an influential person ? He is the mayor of a worlds major tourist destination city and he thinks it's not influential ?

Thank god he decided not to sue, as most incapable lawyer in the world would be able to prove otherwise

The problem is, he is the Mayor of one of the "world's major tourist desinations" that is slowly becoming NOT "one of the world's major tourist destinations" and he, along with a few others, are directly to blame for Phuket's transition.

[BrianCR]

Whatever he say's or does the man is anything but an idiot. It takes a lot of careful planning (for the good or for the bad) to get in his position and he, sure as hell, is not going to lose out on that now! Something that does confuse me through is how certain posters know the inside story? How do they get this information? I'm really serious when I say that I would like to know. Not guess work mind, the real inside story!

[eezergood]

He's decided it's more beneficial to zip it than to sue and have to fend off any argument to the contrary. Wise.

EXACTLY!

[harrry]

Some people would not like to sue for defamation as if they did they have to be willing to be cross examined about it in court.

[eezergood]

Some people would not like to sue for defamation as if they did they have to be willing to be cross examined about it in court.

Not an issue when your family, friends & business associates are judges....... probably

[klauskunkel]

I’ve never had a reputation for extortion.

In my life up until now, I have always done good deeds

for me the happiness of the townspeople is the top priority

I have been happy to serve the people all my life

"I am Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny all rolled in one. I am The Chosen One"

[RigPig]

The way I see it the term "influential person" seems to refer to someone with "mafia" type connections.....

Therefore in order to be "influential" in Thailand you must have to be corrupt

It all makes sense now !!!

[Emdog]

Honest mayor? Do they have two mayors in that town?