Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Wednesday vowed to prosecute politicians found to be involved in the drugs trade, amid reports that several MPs in his ruling coalition were under suspicion.
The Nation newspaper said anti-narcotics police had informed Thai Rak Thai party chief Purachai Piemsomboom of the identities of up to eight newly-elected politicians accused of being connected with the illicit trade.
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) turned over the list to the ruling party to prevent the suspects from being appointed to Thaksin's cabinet which is to be sworn in at the weekend, it said.
Thaksin said he had not yet discussed the matter with Purachai, who is expected to become Thailand's next interior minister.
"I don't know yet, Purachai has not yet given me the details," he told reporters.
"If this is true, all of them will be prosecuted indiscriminately. And if we merely suspect them to be involved with drugs we will monitor their behavior," he said.
The NSB's Major General Intharadej Pornpiraphan told The Nation that police lacked the evidence to prosecute the suspects who were elected to government in the January 6 elections.
The report said the suspects come from the ranks of Thaksin's three-party coalition, which comprises the Thai Rak Thai, New Aspiration and Chart Thai parties and is supported by 339 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives – BANGKOK (AFP)
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