Move to have ex-MP Premsak removed from school board over schoolgirl, media scandal

Representatives of Ban Phai School’s alumni and pupils’ parents yesterday proposed the removal of Premsak, the mayor of the Ban Phai district municipality, a source said.

The action responds to reports that Premsak, 51, allegedly became engaged to or married a Mathayom 5 schoolgirl and abused journalists. 

The protesting group – led by provincial administrative organisation councillor Dechkhamron Singklibutr – called on school director Wathanyu Phuchada to remove Premsak or at least temporarily suspend him to make alumni and parents feel more comfortable.

Wathanyu said he would consult with the board to formulate a resolution that would be forwarded to the Secondary Educational Service Area Office 27 to decide Premsak’s fate.

Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution, urged the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Premsak over the allegations.

Srisuwan said he wanted Premsak investigated for allegedly breaching the political code of ethics and violating the Criminal Code’s Article 309, which bans forcing someone to do something by putting them in fear of being injured or losing their liberty.

He also wanted Premsak investigate for allegedly violating the code’s Article 310, which deals with detaining people and depriving them of their liberty. 

Ombudsman’s Office deputy secretary-general Thawin Inthachamnong said the office had the authority to launch an ethical probe against Premsak over the allegations because he is a state official and political office-holder.

Thawin said the Khon Kaen governor, Premsak’s direct supervisor, might also be required to submit a report on the matter.

He said the office’s investigation could be launched in parallel with the governor’s probe. 

Premsak allegedly ordered his subordinates to pull down Daily News journalist Korsit Kongchom’s pants in front of four other journalists at the politician’s office on Tuesday. The incident followed news reports of the politician’s alleged relationship with the girl.

Korsit filed a police complaint on Wednesday against Premsak for violating the Criminal Code.

Premsak also lodged a complaint with the police record, which does not involve criminal charges, alleging the five reporters intruded on his office. In a Facebook post yesterday, Premsak said as a politician and public figure he knew how to interact with the media but ran out of patience over the latest news reports, which “stripped me naked in front of the public”. 

He claimed the journalists had intruded on his office and that he was upset that they had not talked to him before publishing stories relating to the girl although they knew him well. 

He said he had worked hard for people and won awards but his good works were not publicised, while a personal matter that damaged his reputation had been.

He said reporters had wielded excessive influence over people for too long and called for media reform

He said he would show defiance to the media to protect his dignity, citing Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s combative relationship with reporters.