Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra will return to work today after the Appeal Court yesterday dismissed a case seeking to nullify the 2013 election that put him in his post. MR Sukhumbhand was suspended from performing his duties as Bangkok governor in March this year when the court agreed to accept a case against him filed by the Election Commission (EC).
The EC voted 3-2 in March this year to disqualify MR Sukhumbhand as winner of the Bangkok governor election, citing violations of election law. Since MR Sukhumbhand's victory had been endorsed by the EC,a court order was sought to nullify the election and call a re-run.
The Appeal Court yesterday spent five hours reading out its decision to dismiss the allegations against the governor.
The case was based on suspicions that former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban — who supported MR Sukhumbhand's election campaign — defamed Pheu Thai Party candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, thus influencing the decisions of voters.
According to the EC, Mr Suthep made campaign speeches at Wong Wian Yai and in front of City Hall claiming that voting for MR Sukhumbhand's rival could lead to the country being ruled under a presidential system.
The EC said Mr Suthep's speeches violated the laws governing local elections.
In dismissing the case, the Appeal Court said Mr Suthep did not intend to slander Pol Gen Pongsapat.
Mr Suthep was "passing on" a piece of information he had learned about during United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protests in 2010, when he served as deputy prime minister. The court also said the information was not new and had already been released to the public.
Wasant Meewong, the governor's personal spokesman, said MR Sukhumbhand was relieved the case had been thrown out.
He said the governor is worried about the build-up of work that must have accumulated during the five months that he was suspended from performing his duties.
The governor will get back to work immediately, starting by inspecting Department of Drainage's preparations to handle flooding, Mr Wasant said.
MR Sukhumbhand, accompanied by his wife, was greeted by throngs of supporters. He said he was eager to get back into the job after his long break.
Veera Yiphrae, director of the Bangkok election office, said the decision on the case is considered final and the EC cannot appeal.
He added that the court ruling against the EC was nothing out of the ordinary.
Mr Veera said MR Sukhumbhand's term in office officially began on March 3, 2013 after he won the election.
Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra will return to work today after the Appeal Court yesterday dismissed a case seeking to nullify the 2013 election that put him in his post. MR Sukhumbhand was suspended from performing his duties as Bangkok governor in March this year when the court agreed to accept a case against him filed by the Election Commission (EC).
The EC voted 3-2 in March this year to disqualify MR Sukhumbhand as winner of the Bangkok governor election, citing violations of election law. Since MR Sukhumbhand's victory had been endorsed by the EC,a court order was sought to nullify the election and call a re-run.
The Appeal Court yesterday spent five hours reading out its decision to dismiss the allegations against the governor.
The case was based on suspicions that former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban — who supported MR Sukhumbhand's election campaign — defamed Pheu Thai Party candidate Pol Gen Pongsapat Pongcharoen, thus influencing the decisions of voters.
According to the EC, Mr Suthep made campaign speeches at Wong Wian Yai and in front of City Hall claiming that voting for MR Sukhumbhand's rival could lead to the country being ruled under a presidential system.
The EC said Mr Suthep's speeches violated the laws governing local elections.
In dismissing the case, the Appeal Court said Mr Suthep did not intend to slander Pol Gen Pongsapat.
Mr Suthep was "passing on" a piece of information he had learned about during United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protests in 2010, when he served as deputy prime minister. The court also said the information was not new and had already been released to the public.
Wasant Meewong, the governor's personal spokesman, said MR Sukhumbhand was relieved the case had been thrown out.
He said the governor is worried about the build-up of work that must have accumulated during the five months that he was suspended from performing his duties.
The governor will get back to work immediately, starting by inspecting Department of Drainage's preparations to handle flooding, Mr Wasant said.
MR Sukhumbhand, accompanied by his wife, was greeted by throngs of supporters. He said he was eager to get back into the job after his long break.
Veera Yiphrae, director of the Bangkok election office, said the decision on the case is considered final and the EC cannot appeal.
He added that the court ruling against the EC was nothing out of the ordinary.
Mr Veera said MR Sukhumbhand's term in office officially began on March 3, 2013 after he won the election.
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