BANGKOK, 2 July 2011 – The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has petitioned the Election Commission (EC) for the disbandment of five political parties for their violation of the electoral law. PAD core leader Praphan Khunmee submitted a letter with the EC and the political party registrar, asking them to consider dissolving a total of five political parties, namely Pheu Thai, Democrat, Bhumjaithai, Chart Thai Pattana and Chart Pattana Puea Pandin. He claimed that they had breached the electoral law, prohibiting persuasion of people to vote or not vote for certain parties by promising to benefit them financially.
Mr Praphan elaborated that many campaign policies of the aforementioned parties could be considered as handing out money to people. He cited as examples Pheu Thai’s corporate income tax reduction, increase of village funds and pay raise for civil servants and state officials as well as the Democrat’s diesel and LPG price retention, free medical services, free education and senior pension fund.
In addition, the PAD core leader pointed out that the Democrat Party’s final major campaign at the Royal Plaza was also against the regulation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) as the site was located within the palace compound. He thus urged the EC to look into the issue.
