Bribery claim needs proof

The internal rift within the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party is getting uglier, with a prominent campaign against polluting factories being drawn into the saga.

- 

Deputy leader of the UTN, Suchart Chomklin, recently made a shocking accusation against the so-called Sud Soi Team, set up by a party rival, of demanding bribes from the owners of factories that the team had inspected, in exchange for avoiding penalties.

Deputy Commerce Minister Suchart is trying to have UTN’s ministers, such as party leader and Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaka and Industry Minister Akanat Promphan, removed from the cabinet.

The Sud Soi team is a task force founded by Mr Akanat, secretary-general of the UTN. It is getting good press coverage from civic groups for launching a crackdown against polluting factories and recycling plants.

Usually, factory inspections are criticised by environmental activists as “clandestine operations’ carried out by officials from the Department of Industrial Works.