Premsak could lose mayor's seat for stripping reporter

ฺBan Phai mayor Premsak Piayura is under investigation after allegedly ordering his staff to detain and strip a reporter down to his underwear and take photos of him because he was displeased with a news story he had written. In the photo,the 51-year-old politician gives a wai to people after emerging from his office on Wednesday. He refused a press interview. Photo by Jakkrapan Nathanri

KHON KAEN - Ban Phai district municipality mayor Premsak Piayura is facing a full inquiry and could be removed from his position if found to have forced a news reporter to strip off his clothes, as alleged.

Khon Kaen governor Kamthorn Thavornsathit said on Wednesday an inquiry panel had already been set up to look into the matter.

“Such an incident should not have happened and would be improper if it did occur as alleged. The inquiry panel will be chaired by provincial assistant governor Surachai Wattana-udomchai, and will take 15 days.

“If the probe finds Mr Premsak guilty of overacting by ordering his subordinates to take off a reporter’s pants, and illegally detaining other reporters, he will be removed from the post,’’ the governor said.

In his capacity as the governor overseeing local bodies, Mr Kamthorn said, he would propose that the Interior Ministry immediately dismiss the mayor if the allegations were found to be true.

Mr Premsak served as a Khon Kaen MP before shifting to local-level politics. He found himself in the hot seat after he allegedly had four municipal officials strip the pants off Korsit Kongchom, a reporter for the Thai-language Daily News, in front of four other Khon Kaen-based reporters in a locked room at the mayor’s offices on Tuesday.

The mayor also ordered his subordinates to seize cameras and mobile phones from Mr Korsit and the other reporters called into the room, where he earlier told them he would make a statement regarding a news story about him and a teenage girl.

The story, on the front page of the Daily News on Tuesday, featured the Ban Phai mayor sitting near the young girl with 400,000 baht in cash in front of them at the girl's house, in what looked like a Thai engagement ceremony. The pictures went viral online.

According to the story, the girl was a Mathayom 5 student, indicating she is 16-17 years old. Premsak, 51, is married to Ms Orathai, a lecturer at Khon Kaen University.

The report angered Mr Premsak, who allegedly ordered his men to strip Mr Korsit down to his underwear and take photos of the reporter, who was allowed to redress five minutes later. It was seen as an act of revenge for the news story. Mr Korsit and the other reporters were kept inside the room for about two hours before being allowed to leave.

On Tuesday Mr Premsak claimed he was pictured with the girl because he was helping her family.

Mr Korsit and the other reporters on Wednesday morning filed a complaint against Mr Premsak with the Khon Kaen Provincial Police commander over the incident.

Reporters from Khon Kaen and nearby provinces thronged the provincial police office in a show of support and to cover the story.

Pol Maj Gen Jitjaroon Sriwanit, commander of the Khon Kaen Provincial Police Office, said he had also ordered an inquiry into the case to ensure justice for both sides, as the case drew public attention.

Charges of defamation and forcing others to act against their will may be filed against the accused politician, the provincial police chief said.

Mr Premsak planned to file a counter-complaint against the reporters on Wednesday.

On his Facebook page, Mr Premsak said he would file a complaint with Ban Phai police at 8.30am against a group of reporters for intruding into his mayoral office on Tuesday.

He accused them of stepping up pressure on him to provide information that would not benefit the public. Such behaviour violated the rights and liberty of an individual, he claimed.

Instead of allowing him to work for the public interest, those people had taken up his time, reducing the opportunities for people who needed assistance and public services, he said.

Earlier, the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) condemned Mr Premsak for allegedly forcing the reporter to take off his clothes.

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on Wednesday decided not to make a planned presentation of a community service award to Mr Premsak next month.

Mr Premsak had been selected to receive an award from the NLA on Aug 11 for helping the needy through a fund for people in his municipality.

NLA member Wallop Tangkhananurak, chairman of the sub-committee on the needy, said there were two incidents which needed clarifying.

Although the first incident, which looked like an engagement ceremony, was a personal affair there were questions about his family status, whether he was married or divorced. The second incident, stripping a reporter, would require time to investigate.

The award was for community service and it was important the recipient have an unblemished record, he said.

The sub-panel on the needy had resolved not to present the award to Mr Premsak this year. Another person would be chosen to receive it.

However, Mr Premsak’s name would remain on the shortlist of people to be considered next year, if he was cleared of the allegations and proved his worth, Mr Wallop said.