Chairman of Pathum Thani PAO suspended in corruption trial

The recently elected Provincial administrative organisation (PAO) Chairman in Pathum Thani, Charn Phuangphet, threatened with suspension According to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, he was suspended from duty pending a court decision on charges of abuse of office.

Anutin confirmed that provincial officials will follow the legal advice of the State Council, which recommends suspension as Charn is still under trial for abuse of office. Referring to media reports that Charn plans to seek a court ruling on the matter, Anutin reiterated that all parties must follow the court’s decision so that Charn can seek a court ruling in his favour.

“We will follow the court’s instructions. Without a court order, we are obliged to follow the advice of the CoS. I believe the governor has no bad intentions.”

Pathum Thani Governor Passakorn Bunyaluck announced on Saturday, July 6, that he would act in Charn’s case according to the instructions of the Interior Ministry and the legal guidelines of the CoS, indicating that Charn will be suspended once the Election Commission (EC) confirms his victory.

Anutin, who is also chairman of the Bhumjaithai Party, stressed that the issue was not politically motivated and that provincial authorities would take similar measures in other provinces. He expressed his respect for Charn, a former Bhumjaithai Party member, and his political opponent, Police Lt-Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang.

Charn, a Pheu Thai Party candidate, won the June 30 local elections despite widespread skepticism due to his ongoing trial related to his previous tenure as PAO chairman over a decade ago. He is currently on trial at the Region 1 Criminal Court on corruption and misconduct cases related to the PAO’s procurement of relief supplies during the 2011 floods, the Bangkok Post reported.

In related news, police have arrested the former director of the Land Survey Centre in Nakhon Ratchasima on suspicion of illegally issuing land registry records in favour of investors, just two months before the statute of limitations in his case expired.

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