Thai Deputy PM won't misuse his post in by-election: ex-PM

Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban was unlikely to use his post as deputy prime minister for his personal advantage when running in the by- election next month, former PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh said on Monday.

Suthep is planning to run in the by-election for the Southern province of Surat Thani's Constituency 1 seat.

"Suthep will decide whether it is appropriate for him to step down from the deputy prime minister's post before contesting the by-election. The Puea Thai Party gives great importance to the by- election and the party has four or five candidates in mind," Bangkok Post quoted Chavalit, who is also opposition Puea Thai Party chairman, as saying.

Suthep has confirmed he is ready to contest in the by-election, but would not resign as deputy prime minister, reports say.

The seat was vacated when the Supreme Court found Democrat incumbent Chumpol Kanchana guilty of falsely declaring 200 million baht in assets.

Source: Xinhua