Media group strikes back at Premsak
The Khon Kaen Association of Mass Media yesterday lodged a police complaint of defamation against Ban Phai district municipality mayor Premsak Piayura.
Earlier, Dr Premsak accused the association of receiving money from Happy Family Association chairwoman Rabiabrat Pongpanich to attack him on social media.
Association president Pisit Chancharoen, accompanied by the association committee, yesterday filed the complaint with Muang Khon Kaen police chief Noppadol Petchsutthi against Dr Premsak.
He denied taking any payment and said the claims had damaged his reputation.
The move came after Dr Premsak earlier posted a photo along with a message on his Facebook page, accusing Lt Col Pisit of receiving 5,000 baht in cash from Ms Rabiabrat on July 29 in exchange for attacking the mayor on social networks.
Lt Col Pisit said the photo on Dr Premsak’s Facebook page was taken last Friday while he, as the association representative, donated the money to a charity event to help HIV/Aids patients, chaired by Ms Rabiabrat.
Meanwhile, Pol Col Noppadol said police will summon Lt Col Pisit and witnesses for questioning.
After the investigation wraps up in about a week, a summons will be issued for Dr Premsak to acknowledge the defamation charge, Pol Col Noppadol added.
Last week, Dr Premsak, a former Khon Kaen MP, was accused of ordering subordinates to strip the trousers off Korsit Kongchom, 64, a reporter for Daily News, a Thai-language newspaper, in front of four other reporters while they were locked in a room in his offices on July 26.
The mayor also allegedly ordered his subordinates to seize cameras and mobile phones from Mr Korsit and the other reporters.
Earlier, he told them he would make a statement regarding a news story about him and a teenage girl.
He was upset after the newspaper published a story on its front page last Tuesday suggesting Dr Premsak and a Mathayom 5 girl had become engaged.
The reporters later filed a complaint against Dr Premsak with the Khon Kaen provincial police commander.