Asia-Pacific

Thailand's red shirt to sue deputy PM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-24 15:22

BANGKOK  - The red-clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and the opposition Pheu Thai Party will sue Democrat Party Secretary-General and caretaker deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban for his groundless accusation against the party's candidates.

UDD core leader and Pheu Thai party-listed MP candidate Natthawut Saikua deemed the allegation made by Suthep a violation to Section 53 of the electoral law under the constitution; therefore legal actions must be sought.

Suthep recently accused UDD core members of being terrorists involved in setting ablaze buildings around the country last May. Among the accused are Nattawut himself, Jatuporn Prompan and Weng Tojirakarn, all of whom are also Pheu Thai party-listed MP candidates in the upcoming general election.

The interim deputy premier supported his allegation by citing arsons in many places located in Bangkok such as a number of Bangkok Bank branches, the Center One Shopping Centre and the Central World Shopping Mall after the military crackdown against the UDD on May 19 last year.

The Pheu Thai Party hence would lodge the petition to the Election Commission on May 25.

According to Nattawut, Suthep would be faced with 1-10 years in prison and withdrawn from the election if he was found guilty. He added that such a ruling could lead to a potential dissolution of the ruling Democrat Party as Suthep is one of the party's executives.