By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE ELECTION COMMISSION has begun to investigate allegations that the ruling Palang Pracharath Party had unduly received a three million baht donation in cash which may have been laundered by a Chinese-born, Thai-naturalised businessman.
An ad hoc committee of the Election Commission is currently provided a 30-day time to conduct the in-depth probe into the acceptance by the largest coalition partner of the three million baht donation allegedly all grey money from the Chinese-born businessman, namely Chainat Kornchayanan.
The businessman was arrested last month with his illegally-operated nighttime bar in Yannawa area having been raided by police where customers and others had been rounded up for drug use.
Nevertheless, if the polling agency’s investigating panel has not finished the probe within the given period, an additional 30-day time will be provided for it, an official of the agency confirmed.
If found guilty by court as alleged of receiving the ill-gained money, albeit unknowingly, the Palang Pracharath Party headed by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan could possibly be dissolved.
Besides, the Palang Pracharath top leader and all other executive partisan members could possibly be banned from the political arena for life under the Political Parties Act.
Those include former Palang Pracharath secretary-general Thammanat Prompao who has departed from Prawit’s camp to the Thai Economic Party earlier this year and Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin who currently acts as head of the Palang Pracharath strategic campaign team.
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Top: Palang Pracharath Party logo overlaid on parliament meeting chamber. Photo: Matichon Weekly
Front Page: Election Commission logo. Photo: INN News
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