Thai Rath columnist accused of distortion

An official from the Bangkok Noi district office campaigns for people to vote in the Aug 7 referendum in the district on Tuesday. (Photo by Jiraporn Kuhakan)

A group of lawyers has accused a Thai Rath daily columnist of distorting the draft constitution.

Narinpong Jinapak, chairman of the Lawyers' Association of Thailand, filed the complaint at the Phahon Yothin police station on Saturday morning.

He also gave the police evidence -- the publication in question, as well as copies and a summary of the column widely shared in social media.

Mr Narinpong alleged the writer by the pen name Sai Lor Fah in the Kla Dai Kla Sia column of the Thai-language daily's July 28, 2016 publication violated Section 61 of the 2016 Referendum Act.

Some parts of the column, titled "Why charter might be rejected", referred to provisions that did not exist, Mr Narinpong claimed.

The column claims the constitution could truly get rid of corrupt politicians through six provisions. They are: no expiry of the statute of limitations on political cases; execution or life in prison with no suspension or bail for politicians who are corrupt or squander budgets; 15-30-year jail terms and asset seizures for unusually wealthy politicians who have laundered money and embezzled state assets; 15-30 years for malfeasance; an absolute ban on overseas travel for politicians on trial; and a ban on the use of VIP lanes or other conveniences and free travel in first class while travelling, according to the complaint.

The writer claimed these were the reasons many politicians have announced they would not accept the draft constitution as they want to continue with corruption.

Mr Narinpong said some of the points raised were not true or were distorted, so the charter could not eliminate corrupt politicians regardless of whether it was endorsed or not.

"I'd like to ask how the columnist knows most politicians would not accept the charter and their reasons behind it," Mr Narinpong said.

Police accepted his complaint and said they would question the columnist next week.

If found guilty, the columnist will face a jail term up to 10 years and a fine of 200,000 baht. A court may also revoke his voting rights for five years.