Election Commission orders criminal prosecution of ‘Parina’ for vote-buying to help her brother

Parina" was hit again by the Election Commission, who ordered criminal charges for buying votes to help her brother "Sihadet" get elected. The EC website published the EC's ruling ordering criminal prosecution of Ms. Pareena Kraikupt, former MP for Ratchaburi from the Palang Pracharath Party, and Ms. Nusara Boonsawat, according to the Organic Act on the Election of Members of Parliament 2018, Section 73(1) in conjunction with Section 158, paragraph one, after an investigation found evidence that was credible to believe that before the MP election on May 11, 2023, Ms. Pareena and Ms. Nusara jointly handed out money to several eligible voters, 1,000 baht each, at Ms. Nusara's house, in order to entice them to vote for Mr. Sihadet Kraikupt, candidate for MP for Ratchaburi District 3, No. 1, Bhumjaithai Party, Ms. Pareena's brother. The circumstances revealed that the headman of Photharam District had been informed in advance that a merit-making ceremony would be held on that day as a front. On May 11, officer s from Photharam Police Station, a mobile unit, and officers from the Ratchaburi Election Commission Office went down to inspect the house and found many villagers entering and leaving the house. A witness testified that on that day, he heard people living near his house talking about giving money away at the house. At 10:00 a.m., he rode a motorcycle in and found Ms. Pareena talking with a villager whom he did not know. When Ms. Pareena saw the witness' face, she had a man dressed in black give her 1,000 baht. She understood that it was to give money to vote for candidate number 1. When considering the witness's statement, it was believable that he gave his statement based on his own experience. There were also other witnesses who gave consistent statements. Therefore, the EC saw that such actions violated the election law. As for Mr. Sihadet, The facts obtained from the investigation have not yet revealed any evidence that Ms. Pareena and Ms. Nusara committed, supported or were aware of the actions. Therefo re, an order has been given to end the case in which Mr. Sihadet was accused. 314.-Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency