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TRAFFIC INCIDENT
Mayor charged after 'drunken fight with police'
Chonsawas Asavahame charged with illegal detention, refusing breath test.
Samut Prakan Municipality mayor Chonsawas Asavahame has been charged with illegal detention and failing to submit to a breath test for alcohol.
Two aides have been charged, too. They have fled.
The charges stem from an alleged drunken brawl with police officers at a New Phetchaburi Road traffic checkpoint on Sunday night.
Chonsawas is a son of former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame.
Makkasan police commander Maj-General Manit Wongsom-boon alleged Chonsawas locked Lance Corporal Prarob Saengnil in a petrol station near the checkpoint and then a motor-vehicle showroom.
Chonsawas is said to have a residence in the petrol station.
Chonsawas refused to submit to a breath-alcohol test at the checkpoint after officers stopped him for speeding and erratic driving, he said. Manit said a charge of assaulting a police officer had been dropped.
It has been reported a well-known model was in the vehicle along with two other women.
Manit said Chonsawas would be questioned about the incident and the identity of his aides.
He said the women were not involved and would not be called as witnesses.
Prarob has returned to duty. He claimed to have received a telephoned death threat following the incident.
Chonsawas said in a television interview he had security-camera recordings of the incident that proved he did not assault any officer.
"It shows I never touched anyone.
"The footage records everything from start to finish. It proves what I say," he said.
Prarob claimed Chonsawas said: "Who are you? And you don't know who my father is?"
But the Samut Prakan mayor dismissed this, saying he did not use such tactics because he was elected to serve the people.
He denied being drunk. He said he wore short trousers and casual attire at the time, something he did not do when going out for a drink.
When asked about the three women in his car, Chonsawas said: "What models? I am puzzled. They are not models, just friends."
And the Mayor of Samut Prakan in a more sombre state at the recent foundation-laying ceremony for the Paknam Tower:
http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?blog=5&p=0&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=14699#post14699
Next came some cement. In this picture, Khun Watana, an elder statesman of Samut Prakan, is doing the honours. Again, everyone took turns.
In this final picture, you can see that the nine bricks have already been layed in a star pattern above where the pegs had been driven into the sand. More cement was then poured on top. Then, all of the senior dignitaries, (the person second from the left is Khun Chonsawat who is the Mayor of our city) placed the marble foundation stone onto the symbolic bricks. Following this, they then took turns to sprinkle flowers and coins onto the marble slab. Once the main ceremony was over, the local people, who had been patiently watching everything, were allowed to come forward and to also sprinkle some flowers and coins.
http://www.thai-blogs.com/media/paknamtower_8.jpg
http://www.thaiprisonlife.com/images/stories/paknamtower.jpg
The linked thread in our own forum also contains this quote:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=14698&postcount=3
Originally Posted by Richard Barrow
I was speaking to a local historian this morning and he reckons that the foundation laying ceremony was politically motivated for the upcoming elections. He says it doesn't necessarily indicate the commencement of building work.
He is undoubtedly referring to the political motivations of the Asavahame clan. Wattana Asavahame (also pictured) has a long history of being a complete law unto himself, and the entire family is widely-famed for treating Samut Prakan as their own turf.
Great start to the campaign Guys!!!
Looks like the Samut Prakan opposition party have also commenced their campaign:
Mayor takes the law into his own hands
Makkasan police are seeking an eyewitness account from restaurant staff to determine whether Chonsawas Asavahame, mayor of Samut Prakan Municipality, had been drinking prior to brawling with police officers at a road checkpoint last Sunday night.
The account by owners and staff of Ana Garden in Wattana district will counter Chonsawas' statement that he was not drunk when he refused to undergo a breath test and later scuffled with a police officer at a gas station checkpoint.
It will also determine whether two of three models - who were later seen in the same car driven by Chonsawas at the gas station - assaulted a woman who had filed a complaint with Thonglor police.
Lt-Colonel Srisuk Phrommee, a Thonglor station officer, said Yossawadee and Anchalee Hassadeewijit, the sister models, would be summoned for questioning for their alleged assault on Naphassanant Phasawong at the pub, as well as over whether they had been drinking with Chonsawas in the pub.
Srisuk said the account contributed by the restaurant staff would be sufficient for police to take action against both models and Chonsawas.
Police artists have finished the sketches of two unidentified men who, along with Chonsawas, allegedly locked up Corporal Prarob Saengnil. The sketches will soon be made public.
A group of 20 Samut Prakan locals yesterday gathered at Makkasan Police Station to give moral support to the officers and Prarob in particular. They carried banners with messages condemning Chonsawas and demanding that he resign. One banner said: "We are ashamed of Chonsawas for his abuse of power."
The group said another 100 supporters would go to the station today in support of the officers and Prarob.
Samut Prakan mayor hit with six more charges, avoids police
Police filed six more charges yesterday against Samut Prakan Municipality mayor Chonsawas Asavahame, in addition to charges of refusing to take a breath test for alcohol and illegally detaining a police officer.
Police will now send a second warrant to Chonsawas to hear the new charges, which now total eight.
Meanwhile, a group of Samut Prakan residents gave morale support to the 'bullied' Makkasan police officer.
Chonsawas and two aides allegedly detained and assaulted Lance Corporal Prarob Saengnil, after Chonsawas was stopped for speeding and erratic driving and asked to take a breath test at a New Phetchaburi Road checkpoint last weekend.
Police have already sent a warrant for Chonsawas to hear the charges but as of late yesterday he had yet to show up.
Makkasan Police superintendent Colonel Jeerasak Khamkhong said more witnesses had been interviewed yesterday and they helped confirm that the alleged assault took place.
So, police would now issue a second warrant for the son of former deputy interior minister, Vatana Asavahame, to hear the six additional charges.
The charges include obstructing authorities attempting to do their job by use of physical force; using three men to obstruct an official against his will by applying physical force; causing damage to property; reckless driving; failing to submit to a driving ability test and insulting authorities in their attempt to perform their duties.
Meanwhile, a group of 20 people representing residents of Samut Prakan's six districts went to give morale support to Prarob at noon yesterday.
They also carried signs that read, "We, Pak Nam residents, feel ashamed of Chonsawas' decision to spend his free time bullying officials instead of developing the city...we want justice for the police officers who were bullied."
Metropolitan Police division 1 commander Maj-General Manit Wongsomboon said Thong Lor police also had a physical assault case filed by a gold-shop owner's daughter against two female models thought to be with Chonsawas on the same night.
Makkasan police had contacted their colleagues at Thong Lor to see if the two cases were related.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/25/national/national_30035134.php
mdechgan
25-05-07, 11:50 AM
Most of these officials are just plain clueless about their profession.
They have no idea of the responsibilities of being role models.
Most of these people jocky their position in the government during elections so as soon as they are elected they drink their terms in office away hoping for more bribes and free money. being major he thinks he can get away with anything he wants.
There is a saying about six degrees of separation. Everyone knows everyone within the relationships of six people. In Bangkok it is about two degrees.
Someone will always know someone who is a friend that can receive favors for a small amount of return on investment. Someone always knows someone like a police cop or some high royalty guy.
Thailand is still in the dark ages and is still a third world country socially and politically.
I'm told that the two models in question have a somewhat tarnished reputation with large swathes of the Thai general public. So much so that one of them has been awarded a nickname that sounds remarkably like an item of sexual anatomy - a reflection on her reputed behaviour. Perhaps that was part of the discourteous SMS message mentioned below? The video evidence mentioned here probably comes from the gas station in Bangkok where Chonsawat has a Bangkok residence:
ASAVAHAME SCION
Chonsawas printed, questioned
Samut Prakan mayor claims video evidence will exonerate him
Samut Prakan mayor Chonsawas Asavahame yesterday denied eight charges related to a May 20 driving incident that include the illegal detention of a police officer.
He reported to Makkasan police where he was fingerprinted, informed of the charges, interviewed for approximately one hour and released. There is no arrest warrant.
Late last Sunday, police at a New Phetchaburi Road checkpoint stopped Chonsawas after he was observed driving erratically. Two aides and three women, including two well-known models, accompanied him.
Chonsawas refused to submit to a breath-alcohol test. Police said the aides then assaulted Sergeant Prarob Saengnil.
Metropolitan Police Maj-General Manit Wongsomboon said Chonsawas was informed of the eight charges.
"Though he is a son of well-known politician, I'm not worried. I'm certain we have enough evidence to charge him," said Manit.
Chonsawas said he would report again to police in seven days. He will produce evidence in his defence including a security video.
He faces up to three years in jail and a Bt6,000 fine if convicted.
Meanwhile, the models, sisters Anchalee and Yossawadee Hassadeewijit, have been charged with brawling.
They told a news conference yesterday they had only defended themselves.
They are alleged to have fought with Napassanant Possawong, the daughter of a well-known gold shop owner at a Thong Lor restaurant on the same night.
Napassanant alleged to Thong Lor police she was assaulted by the sisters. Chonsawas was at the restaurant.
Anchalee admitted her involvement but said it was in defence of her sister, who was about to be struck by Napassanant.
Anchalee showed a "discourteous message" she claimed Napassanant sent to her mobile telephone.
Chonsawas denied involvement in the fight.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/27/national/national_30035307.php
:eek: Police search local politician's premises on assault charges
Police searched Vattana Auto Sale And Service Co Ltd in Bangkok's Huai Kwang area on Monday for evidence to tie Samut Prakan mayor Chonsawas Asavahame and two aides to the assault of a Makkasan police officer.
Late last Sunday night, police at a New Phetchaburi Road checkpoint stopped Chonsawas after he was observed driving erratically. Two aides and three women, including two wellknown models, were said to have accompanied him. Chonsawas refused to submit to a breath test. Police said the aides then assaulted Sergeant Prarob Saengnil.
Metropolitan Police Division 1 deputy commander Colonel Chakkri Khamkong yesterday afternoon took a search warrant to the Vattana company's compound, which includes a Pure petrol station, showroom and garage - where the alleged assault and detention of Sergeant Prarob took place. In a two hour search the police examined five security cameras and looked for other evidence.
Chonsawas, who arrived an hour after the police, said he fully cooperated with the investigation.
Chakkri said officials wanted to check for more evidence - such as the nametag Prarob claimed to have lost at the scene - and also ensure that the security camera footage had not been edited.
Chakkri said police would issue an arrest warrant for one identified aide who was reportedly involved in the assault and warrants for the two models who allegedly assaulted Napassanant Possawong, the daughter of a wellknown gold shop owner, at a Thonglor restaurant earlier the same night.
The two models, sisters Anchalee and Yossawadee Hassadeewijit, will hear charges against them on Friday.
Chakkri said Chonsawas had promised to accompany his aide and the models when they presented themselves to the police in seven days.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/28/headlines/headlines_30035419.php
Oh, it's Vattana Auto Sales and the attached Pure Gas Station on New Phetburi?
I pass there virtually every day. A huge showroom with lots and lots of high-class used cars (expensively furnished American vans, humvees, European luxury and sports cars etc.)
This is a restoration of a missing message originally posted by ncr on June 15, 2007.
***************
---Quote (Originally by GWR)---
He is undoubtedly referring to the political motivations of the Asavahame clan. Wattana Asavahame (also pictured) has a long history of being a complete law unto himself, and the entire family is widely-famed for treating Samut Prakan as their own turf.
---End Quote---
Nice family indeed....
Vatana faces trial over Klong Dan land scandal (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/15/politics/politics_30036916.php) - The Nation, 15 June 2007
*Veteran political Vatana Asavahame is to be tried for abuse of power in relation to the illegal issuing of five land title deeds in 1992-93, a precursor event to the Klong Dan waste treatment plant scandal.*
Vatana's corruption indictments were spelt out after the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) reached a unanimous verdict yesterday that he was suspected of wrongdoing. "As deputy interior minister, Vatana conspired to force owners to sell their plots to his associates before prodding land officials to redraw the five plots with new title deeds that overlapped with public land," NCCC spokesman Klanarong Chantik said. The controversial plots were later sold at inflated prices as the site for a waste treatment plant.
Klanarong said Vatana would also be prosecuted under the Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders, a specialised court for corruption cases. The NCCC has named eight Interior and Land officials as fellow defendants with Vatana. The NCCC report will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for prepare for the trial.
***************
This is a restoration of a missing message originally posted by GWR on June 15, 2007.
***************
One of the Chuan governments took some kind of legal action against Wattana Asavahame because he built a sala in the garden of one of his houses that encroached on a canal. It is illegal to build structures on such canals, for fear that they will impede flood drainage.
Wattana went on to describe Chuan as a very common person, by which he apparently meant that anyone who doesn't benefit financially hand-over-fist from public office is a complete drongo.
I once worked for someone who would definitely fall into the category of landed gentry, his predecessors having derived significant income from nailmaking in the 18th Century. It was a hoot to hear a genealogist describe him as 'nouveau riche', but there was a certain rough justice in the remark. It wouldn't matter how much money and influence Wattana and his family acquired - they would still have no real refinement. Whereas some folk naturally have it, totally regardless of how much they have in the bank.
***************
Police file eight charges against Chonsawas
Makkasan police Wednesday filed eight criminal charges against Samut Prakan Municipality Mayor Chonsawas Asavahame with the public prosecutor.
Two of his aides were also named in some of the charges which arose from an incident with police on New Phetchaburi Road on May 21.
The prosecutors will announce on July 25 whether the charges warrant being brought to court.
Chonsawas is facing eight charges: resisting officials' instructions without good reason; failing to submit to a driving ability test and a breath test for alcohol; reckless driving; causing damage to property; obstructing an official against his will by applying physical force; inciting three men to use physical force to obstruct an official attempting to do his duty; illegally detaining an official; and insulting an official performing his duty.
The last four charges were also to apply to his two aides, Sakul Pramulchai and Pratya Chaiyakul.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30037378
Absconders forcing courts to rethink bail
By KESINEE TAENGKHIO,
KHWANHATHAI MALAKARN
THE NATION
Published on July 11, 2008
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders might get tougher with defendants in future corruption cases, following the flight of some well-known politicians during their temporary release.
A judge from the court, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that raising the amount of surety required was an option to discourage possible escape.
However, the judge said the defendant's rights and freedom would also have to be taken into consideration and the matter should be considered on a case-by-case basis.
"We should not be too strict. We must also care about the rights and freedom of the defendant as long as a court verdict is not out. If the defendant flees, the surety will be seized and he will be hunted down for arrest. Also, it is possible that the court will acquit the defendant," the judge said.
The judge was speaking after Vatana Asavahame, chairman of the ruling coalition Puea Pandin Party, failed to show up to hear the court's verdict in a corruption case against him over the controversial Klong Dan wastewater management project. Vatana is accused of abusing his authority when serving as deputy interior minister and unlawfully obtaining land that was later used for the project.
The judge said the surety in Vatana's case was Bt2 million, which was higher than what was requested in similar cases. "This case carries a maximum penalty of capital punishment, but when compared to other cases with similar penalty, the requested surety of Bt2 million is considered very high," the judge said.
Meanwhile, police yesterday warned people against sheltering the fugitive politician.
Police General Jongrak Juthanond, the deputy national police chief responsible for finding Vatana, said police stations in Samut Prakan province and Bangkok's Suan Luang district, where the fugitive politician has homes, were ordered to keep 24-hour surveillance of the places. The Immigration Police have also been instructed to look out for Vatana attempting to leave the country, he added.
Jongrak said police would try to find Vatana and produce him before the court by August 18, as stated in the arrest warrant issued by the Supreme Court.
"If we find Vatana in anyone's house, that person will face legal action," Jongrak said. He added that all Vatana's relatives contacted by police had insisted they were unaware of his whereabouts.
"Police will not accept any conditions for his surrender," the officer said.
National police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan yesterday said the police would try to prevent Vatana from fleeing the country. He insisted there had been no "political orders" for preferential treatment towards the fugitive politician.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/11/politics/politics_30077842.php
Jongrak says Vatana is in Poi Pet
Deputy Police Commissioner-General Jongrak Juthanon said Vatana Asavahame, former deputy interior minister, has fled to Cambodia.
Jongrak said the Sa Kaew district police chief, Pol Col Itthipol Piriyapinyo, informed him that he met Vatana at the Poi Pet Resort Hotel in Poi Pet.
Vatana failed to turn up on Wednesday to hear the ruling of the Criminal Tribunal Against Political Office Holders on the Klong Dan Wasted Water Treatment Corruption case.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30077880
Vatana flees by boat from Samut Prakan: Jongrak
Deputy Police Commissioner-General Jongrak Juthanon said Vatana Asavahame, chief advisor of the Puea Pandin Party, fled by boat from Samut Prakan to Koh Kong.
He said Vatana was then transported by a car to Grand Diamond Hotel in Cambodia.
Jongrak said Thailand did not have repatriation treaty with Cambodia so he was not certain whether police would be able to arrest Vatana and deliver him to the Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders by August 18.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30077936
Wisarut
20-07-08, 01:41 AM
The very reason why AI Maew is makign a deal with Hunsen is that he could use Cambodia as his own asylum once the Court has delivered the vindict "Guilty" to AI Maews and Ee Photjamarn on Ratchada Land scandal.
Futrhtermore, he has repalce the collateral from his own daughter to the governemtn bond of 8 billion Baht ... otehrwise his gdaughter will be in prison cells alogn with him and Ee Photjamarn.
After all, Vietnam and Cambodia have NO Extraditioon Treaty with Thailand ... so Ai Maew and the corrupt politicans could fidn the place to escape the wrath from the Supreme Court in Cambodia.
Even the court said the ratchada Land Scvandal is "not guilty"", a lot of legal traps remain ... and the Wrath from Papa Prem is a sure thign as Death and Tax .... :p:cool:
http://thaiinsider.info/portal/content/view/9707/23/
Wisarut
18-08-08, 06:48 PM
Now, AI Watthana Assawahem (AKA Old Goilden Horse) has been indicted of 10 year in jail for Klong Dan land scandal.
http://www.manager.co.th/Crime/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000097522
10 years in Poipet might well be a better punishment than 10 years in the nick::D
Fugitive Vatana gets 10-year imprisonment
Former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame was yesterday sentenced to ten-year imprisonment by the Supreme Court for corruption in the Klong Dan wasted water treatement.
The tribunal of nine judges of the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions voted 8 to 1 to convict Vatana and jail him for ten years.
Vatana was sentenced in absentia as he has fled reportedly to Koh Kong, Cambodia.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30080843
10 years in Poipet might well be a better punishment than 10 years in the nick::D
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30080843
Kingmaker dethroned
(BangkokPost.com, dpa)
The Supreme Court on Monday sentenced longtime political powerhouse Vatana Asavahame, still on the run from justice, to 12 years in prison for corruption - without parole.
The sentence, delivered in absentia by the Court's division for political office holders, was for Vatana's part in the controversial Klong Dan wastewater construction, called by one witness a "mega-corruption project".
Vatana, 72, is the scion of a poltical family resident in Samut Prakan province, with strong influence on the national scene for two generations. He was sentenced in absentia because he has fled the country.
"According to reliable intelligence reports, he is living in Cambodia," Deputy National Police Chief Jongrak Juthanont told the court.
The court will start extradition procedures for Vatana, officials said.
The Supreme Court for political offences found Vatana guilty of abusing his power as deputy interior minister 16 years ago to force the illegal issuance of title deeds for 292 hectares of public land that was then sold at an inflated price to the Pollution Control Department to build a 23-billion-baht ($684.5 million at today's rate) wastewater treatment facility.
The scheme had to be halted because of opposition to the plant by the local community in Samut Prakan province, adjacent to Bangkok.
The court has taken 15 years to reach a verdict in the case.
Vatana, a longtime member of parliament from Samut Prakan, is deemed a classic example of Thailand's system of money politics wherein members of Parliament buy votes to get into power and then use their power to make money off the country.
Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=129746
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/19/politics/images/30080973-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation]
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30037378
Vatana's son appointed ICT minister's deputy secretary
Chonsawat Asavahame, son of the fugitive former politician Vatana, was Tuesday appointed by the Cabinet as deputy secretary to ICT Minister and Deputy Premier Mun Patanotai.
Mun is a deputy leader of the Puea Pandin Party, which Vatana was chairman of.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Vatana to 10 years' jail on Monday for a corruption related to the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30080952
Fugitive Vatana's son appointed
By The Nation
Chonsawat Asavahame, son of the fugitive former politician Vatana, was appointed by the Cabinet on Tuesday as deputy secretary general to ICT Minister and Deputy Premier Mun Patanotai.
Mun is a deputy leader of the Puea Pandin Party, which Vatana was chairman of.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Vatana to 10 years' jail on Monday for a corruption related to the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant.
Mun yesterday defended Chonsawat's tainted record, saying he had learnt from "past mistakes", as well as his stint as mayor of Samut Prakan province.
"I have known him since he was young; he was a good boy and obedient. I am just like his uncle for the past 30 years," Mun said. "I ask him to be patient, not hotheaded, and to face problems with coolness. I think the mission is not too hard for him".
Last year, Chonsawat was accused of assaulting a traffic policeman when the officer tried to stop his vehicle at a checkpoint set up to screen drunk drivers.
Mun said yesterday he had talked to Vatana before the court made its ruling on Monday.
"I think he knew that it's difficult for him to return. He is aware of the fact and accepts it," he said.
Mun said Vatana had told him he expected a jail sentence.
"He is old now. It's better for him to find somewhere to rest than to fight a court battle. This case's statute of limitation is 15 years. I think Vatana will fade away from society. He no longer has any role now," Mun said.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/19/politics/politics_30080973.php
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/19/politics/images/30080973-01.jpg
[Photo: The Nation]
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30080952
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/19/politics/politics_30080973.php
NEWSMAKER
Fugitive's son gets post
By Kornchanok Raksaseri
The Nation
Published on August 22, 2008
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the appointment of a new deputy secretary to the prime minister. The news might not have been an issue had the person appointed not been Chonsawat Asavahame.
Chonsawat's father is Puea Pandin Party chairman Vatana Asavahame, who has fled to Cambodia following a verdict against him in a corruption case. He reportedly stays in a casino hotel in Poi Pet.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Political Office Holders sentenced Vatana to 10 years in jail on Monday for corruption related to the Klong Dan wastewater treatment plant.
Chonsawat, 39, is currently facing trial on charges of assaulting a policeman. He was charged after allegedly refusing to stop for an alcohol test and assaulting the officer who tried to get him to stop earlier this year.
The court has scheduled the first hearing in the case for September 17.
Earlier, in September 2006, the Samut Prakan provincial court sentenced Chonsawat to four years in jail for electoral fraud during Samut Prakan's mayoral election, with his voting rights revoked for 10 years. Up to 1,000 false ballot cards were found in the 1999 election. The case is now with the Appeals Court.
Regarding a personal matter, Chonsawat has appeared in news items speculating about his relationship with model Yossawadee Hassadeevichit.
In fact, this is the second time that Chonsawat has been offered such a position in Samak Sundaravej's Cabinet. In February, the Cabinet approved his appointment as a deputy secretary to Deputy Interior Minister Sithichai Kowsurat.
Many ministers vouched for his qualifications and said he deserved a chance.
Chonsawat worked in the position for only one day before resigning. He claimed he cared about how matters appeared to the public and said he wanted the justice system to be fair while he was facing some cases.
Again this time, Information and Communications Technology Minister Mun Patanotai, Puea Pandin Party's deputy leader and the person who put Chonsawat's forward for the position, defended Chonsawat's tainted record, saying he has learnt from "past mistakes", as well as from his stint as mayor of Samut Prakan.
As a person close to the Asavahame family, Mun said Chonsawat is obedient to his seniors.
He gave Samak credit for respecting the Puea Pandin Party well in giving Chonsawat the appointment.
The ICT minister said Chonsawat's appointment was in the spotlight because his wife Nantida is a famous singer.
However, Mun accepted that Vatana decided to flee from the charges facing against him, and that the case against Chonsawat has yet to be cleared. Given his reasons for resigning last time, the question now is whether it would be good for Thailand if he took the same position this time.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/22/opinion/opinion_30081200.php
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