Ex-election commissioner Somchai has a change of heart

Sacked election commissioner Somchai Srisuttiyakorn has cancelled his plan to hold a press conference Friday (March 23) and also dropped his plan to seek redress from the Administrative Court for his ouster from the Election Commission by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Council (NCPO).

On Thursday, Mr Somchai posted in his Facebook page of his plan to hold a press conference today to talk about his dismissal from the EC by Gen Prayut, invoking his special power under Section 44 of the interim Constitution, citing his improper conduct.

The former-election commissioner, however, said after collecting his belongings at the EC office that he would take a one-month break to make an overseas trip and said he had forgiven everyone for everything.

“Everyone has their own reasons and what had happened partly stemmed from my own actions. I am no longer an election commissioner and I have decided to let it go,” he told reporters.

EC chairman Supachai Somcharoen assured that the four remaining election commissioners would continue to perform their duty as normal.  He met with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam today to discuss about the government’s invitation for all political parties – both old and new –  for discussions on the elections and related issues on March 28.

Asked about Mr Somchai’s about-face, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon did not give an answer but just shook his head.