Prasit ordered to retract sexual remarks

Prasit Chaisrisa, a Pheu Thai MP for Surin province, was accused of sexually harassing Democrat Party MP Rangsima Rodrassami during yesterday's censure debate.

Prasit Chaisrisa, a Pheu Thai Party MP for Surin, speaks during the censure debate, where he was accused of verbally harassing Democrat Party MP Rangsima Rodrassami. PHOTOS: THITI WANNAMONTHA

Mr Prasit was told to retract the remarks by House Deputy Speaker Charoen Chankomol and opposing Democrats.
Democrat party member Sathit Wongnongtoey also asked that the House committee on ethics investigate the MP's behaviour. A heated exchange occurred when Ms Rangsima was speaking during the debate. She accused the Ground Water Resources Department of irregularities and mishandling the flood relief projects.
During her speech, Ms Rangsima gave information about alleged corrupt practices and on one occasion spoke about a dream, prompting Mr Prasit to rise in protest.
Mr Prasit said Ms Rangsima could not cite her dream when accusing the government of malpractice: "What would Ms Rangsima say if I said that in my dream I slept with her?" he said.
Mr Prasit's remark drew protests from several female members of the opposition.
Democrat MP for Trang Sathit Wongnongtoey asked that Mr Prasit withdraw his statement and that he be investigated for sexual harassment by the House committee on ethics.
House Deputy Speaker Charoen Chankomol, who was in the chair at the time, told Mr Prasit to retract his remark. He agreed.
Mr Sathit later posted on his Twitter page that Mr Charoen had agreed to have the House ethics committee investigate Mr Prasit's behaviour.
If found guilty, Mr Prasit could be reprimanded and a petition might be sent to the Office of the Ombudsman to seek his removal, Mr Sathit said.
He also posted a message saying that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra should weigh in on the matter.
In remarks written afterwards on her Facebook page, Bangkok senator Rossana Kosittrakul said this kind of sexual abuse should not occur in parliament.

Democrat Party MP Rangsima Rodrassami presents a chart as she accuses the Ground Water Resources Department of irregularities in the government’s flood relief projects.

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