Prosecutors drop ex-mayor’s case against media
The prosecution has decided not to indict three journalists accused by former Ban Phai municipal mayor Premsak Piayura of coercion in a dispute between the two parties dating back to last year, a source close to the case has said.
Ban Phai police station in Khon Kaen received a letter from regional prosecutors yesterday informing it of the public prosecutors’ decision to dismiss a criminal case brought against the three journalists by Dr Premsak, the source added.
The letter, dated Sept 14, apparently explains why the prosecutors decided not to indict.
Dr Premsak, who is married, filed the criminal case last September following a dispute over media coverage of his suspected engagement to an underage girl in Khon Kaen.
His actions against the members of the press were seen as a form of revenge after one of the reporters published a story on July 26 in the Daily News featuring a picture of Dr Premsak and a young girl with 400,000 baht in cash in front of them at the girl’s house.
The photos were taken by a Daily
News reporter named Mr Korsit.
The photos quickly went viral as they were circulated online and featured on the front page of the daily, garnering nationwide attention.
According to the news story, the girl was a Mathayom 5 student, indicating she was only 16 or 17 years old at the time.
The following day, five journalists went to interview Dr Premsak at his office when he allegedly locked them in a room, had his subordinates collect their mobile phones and cameras, and stripped one man of his clothing.
The reporters lodged a complaint with the police accusing Dr Premsak of intimidation and public indecency.
The case is pending consideration by regional prosecutors.
Pratchaya Thepsakul, a cable TV reporter and one of the three accused journalists, said he was very relieved to learn of the prosecution’s decision.
He insisted the reporters had done nothing that could be considered as an act of coercion.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha suspended Dr Premsak from duty that August by issuing an order under Section 44 of the interim charter.
Gen Prayut said this was appropriate as the former mayor was facing a disciplinary probe for humiliating one of the journalists.
The Interior Ministry ordered him to step down as mayor this July.