Bangkok Post – Party spokesman fired over iCon link

Palang member Pracharath denies being heard on tape asking iCon CEO for money

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) on Friday sacked Samart Janechaijittawanich as deputy spokesperson following an allegation that he extorted money from the director general of The iCon groupthe direct selling company at the center of a supposed public fraud scam

PPRP secretary-general Paiboon Nititawan said party leader General Prawit Wongsuwon ordered Samart to be immediately removed from his post as the police investigation into the iCon scandal was expanding.

When asked if Mr Samart would be expelled from the party, Mr Paiboon said that according to regulations, the expulsion must be approved by the party’s executive committee. He added that Mr. Samart had refused to resign.

Paiboon said he is following the investigation closely and will report the matter to a party executive meeting on Oct 29, adding that General Prawit is concerned about the victims.

Samart was embroiled in scandal after the release of an audio clip purportedly featuring a conversation between Warathaphon Waratyaworrakul, the CEO and founder of The iCon Group, and a non-MP House committee member.

In a TV interview, Warathaphon explained that the man in the audio clip offered to help him settle a complaint in exchange for 100,000 baht.

According to Mr Warathaphon, the conversation took place about two years ago and had nothing to do with the current issue. Samart flatly denied that he was the other man on the recording and threatened to sue people linking him to The iCon Group.

Celebrity lawyer Sitra Biabangkerd on Friday filed a petition with House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha asking him to investigate two audio clips allegedly featuring Mr Samart.

Sitra also urged the Speaker of the House to remove Mr. Samart from all House committees he serves on if the man was unwell. He pointed out that Mr. Samart is part of almost 10 committees.

The lawyer also brushed off Mr Samart’s threat to sue anyone who accused him of being involved in the iCon group scandal, saying those close to Mr Samart confirmed it was Mr Samart’s voice.

Sitra also asked the PPRP to investigate the alleged extortion of Mr. Samart instead of simply removing him from the position of deputy spokesperson or expelling him from the party.

Muk Sulaiman, Wan Noor’s secretary, said yesterday that the Speaker of the House had ordered all committees to look into the conduct of members and any abuse of position.