PHUKET: The elected leader of a Phuket village community has been accused of buying votes for the July 3 election and was arrested in a raid early today.
However Jaran Kortip, 47, wearing a Tourist Police shirt when presented to the media at Thalang Police Station by Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong, denied the allegation.
Police delegated to oversee an honest general election were granted a search warrant and raided the home of Khun Jaran in Baan Para, a village east of the Phuket Heroines' Monument, at 6.30am.
Khun Jaran answered their knock and told the police that her father was out in a plantation, tapping rubber. She called her father and he returned to the house, telling police to go ahead and search - he had nothing to hide.
In a sala behind the house and separate from it, the investigating task force found 69,500 baht in cash, a list of 157 people, and brochures for the No. 16 Bhumjaithai Party.
''It has nothing to do with me,'' Khun Jaran said. ''Somebody must have planted it there. If I was buying votes, i wouldn't have let the police into my house.''
Khun Jaran was elected leader of Moo 4 Baan Para two-and-a-half months ago. Major General Pekad said he expected that Khun Jaran would be granted bail.
A previous raid by the Phuket election task force on the home of former politician Pasong Trirat in Phuket's Thepkasattri district produced similar allegations and denials.
On that raid, only a large amount of cash was found.
Phuket Ex-Politician Rejects 'Set Up' Accusations of Vote-BuyingHowever Jaran Kortip, 47, wearing a Tourist Police shirt when presented to the media at Thalang Police Station by Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong, denied the allegation.
Police delegated to oversee an honest general election were granted a search warrant and raided the home of Khun Jaran in Baan Para, a village east of the Phuket Heroines' Monument, at 6.30am.
Khun Jaran answered their knock and told the police that her father was out in a plantation, tapping rubber. She called her father and he returned to the house, telling police to go ahead and search - he had nothing to hide.
In a sala behind the house and separate from it, the investigating task force found 69,500 baht in cash, a list of 157 people, and brochures for the No. 16 Bhumjaithai Party.
''It has nothing to do with me,'' Khun Jaran said. ''Somebody must have planted it there. If I was buying votes, i wouldn't have let the police into my house.''
Khun Jaran was elected leader of Moo 4 Baan Para two-and-a-half months ago. Major General Pekad said he expected that Khun Jaran would be granted bail.
A previous raid by the Phuket election task force on the home of former politician Pasong Trirat in Phuket's Thepkasattri district produced similar allegations and denials.
On that raid, only a large amount of cash was found.
Latest A local Phuket politicians has his home surrounded and raided by more than 20 officials who find no evidence of vote-buying. He says: ''It swas a set-up.''
Phuket Ex-Politician Rejects 'Set Up' Accusations of Vote-Buying
" Someone must have planted it there "
Yep, happens to me every day too. People just can't stop leaving boxes full of money in my garden together with all kind of funny names on a list.
Doesn't anyone ever man up here, confess and take responsibility of their actions ?
Even when facing indisputable evidence the Thai way just seems to be categoric denial.
That said, is he actually a Tourist Police officer ?
I doubt I'd want him as my "First Friend"
Posted by Chris on June 30, 2011 18:21