Dems seek hearing into 'sexual harassment' in House

The Nation

November 29, 2012 1:00 am

The Democrat Party yesterday petitioned for a hearing into alleged misconduct by Pheu Thai MP Prasit Chaisrisa.

Prasit came under fire during the censure debate after he said from the House floor that he dreamt of having slept with Democrat MP Rangsima Rodrasamee.

Democrat MP Pusadee Tamthai said she suspected Prasit had violated the House code of ethics, particularly the provision on sexual harassment.

"Prasit was very rude to women and should be held accountable for his remarks, which were made despite the fact that he is led by a female prime minister," Pusadee said.

Pusadee and two other Democrat MPs would petition the Office of the Ombudsman to launch a separate hearing on Prasit's remarks, she said.

If Prasit was found to have violated the code of ethics, the next move would be to initiate impeachment proceedings, she added.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said he would instruct the House committee on ethics to rule on the incident in a speedy manner.

In a counter move, Pheu Thai MP Sunisa Lertpakawat called for a review of Pusadee's remarks.

Pusadee had inappropriately reacted to Prasit's comments by reminding the Pheu Thai MP what would happen if someone spoke of dreaming about sleeping with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Sunisa said.

Surin youth leader Surachai Supanimit said Prasit should issue an apology to Rangsima and the public for being a bad role model.

Speaking in his defence, Prasit said it was not his intent to sexually harass Rangsima.

He said that in his speech, he had made it clear he was referring to an imaginary situation.

He said he had already agreed to have his remarks deleted from the House meeting records in the face of protests from the opposition bench.

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