Kla Tham MP for Khon Kaen suspended for alleged breach of ethics

Kla Tham party MP Ekkarat Changlao, of Khon Kaen province, has been suspended from performing his parliamentary duties by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders, after it agreed to consider a petition from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

The suspension of Ekkarat, a former Bhumjaithai MP, was announced by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha in parliament on Wednesday.

The MP, who joined the Kla Tham party, is accused by the NACC for a gross violation of ethical standards, after he was sentenced to 12 years and nine months in prison by Khon Kaen Provincial Court in April.

He had been found guilty of embezzling about 405 million baht from Khon Kaen teacher’s cooperatives and was, subsequently, expelled from the Bhumjaithai party.

The court has scheduled the first hearing for August 29.

He is currently free on bail and has been banned from leaving the country.