Sukhumbhand cleared to continue as Bkk governor
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The Appeals Court Friday ruled in favour of Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra, overturning the yellow-card decision by the Election Commission against him.
The ruling allows Sukhumbhand to resume his duties as the governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
The EC asked the Appeals Court to disqualify Sukhumbhand as the Bangkok governor election winner on the grounds that the then Democrat Party MP Suthep Thaugsuban helped him in the election campaign by defaming Sukhumbhand’s rival, Pheu Thai candidate Pongsapat Pongcharoen.
Among other things, Suthep alleged that the Pheu Thai supported the red-shirt protests that resulted in rioting and arson attacks in Bangkok.
The Appeals Court reasoned that Suthep’s campaign statements were facts that have been widely publicised.
The court also said that the EC had failed to prove that Suthep’s statements were false.
