Suthep: No reports of vote buying so far in Surat Thani by-election

BANGKOK, 20 August 2009 (NNT) – Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said there had been no reports of vote buying in a by-election in the southern province of Surat Thani scheduled on 30 August 2009.

Mr Suthep gave an interview before traveling to Surat Thani, expressing his belief that people in the province would not accept the by-election results if an electoral fraud took place. He said he was unconcerned over the election results which would depend on the voters’ decision.

The by-election will be organized to find a replacement for Mr Suthep who earlier resigned from his MP post after the Election Commission disqualified him and other 12 Democrat MPs on grounds of stock holding in concessionary businesses.