2 key witnesses admitted being bribed to charge Thai Rak Thai

Two key witnesses have admitted to being bribed by the then opposition Democrat Party to make false charges against one of the executives of the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, resulting in the party dissolution in the 2006 trial.

Mr Suksan admitted that he was bribed by Democrat Party Secretary-General, Suthep Thaugsuban, to make a false accusation against former TRT Executive and former Justice Minister, General Thammarak Isarangkura Na Ayutthaya. He said they were paid one million baht each to give false statements to the Election Commission and be present in the press conference of Mr Suthep against General Thammarak.

The Pattana Chart Thai Party was one of the small parties sending candidates to compete in 2 April 2006 election which was boycotted by the Democrat, Chart Thai, and Mahachon Parties. Mr Suksan and Mr Chawakarn earlier cited that General Thammarak subsidized them to field candidates in the 2 April election. The TRT Party then was dissolved for the electoral fraud accordingly.

Mr Suksan claimed that Mr Suthep had promised to pay them 15 million THB each and protect them from all electoral fraud charges. However, he said he decided to reveal the truth now as Mr Suthep did nothing as promised and he was about to be prosecuted with electoral fraud charges. He said he would expose transfers of money in his bank accounts as evidence.