Sanan quits party post after conviction for graft

BANGKOK, Aug 10 (AFP) – Thailand’s former interior minister Sanan Kachornprasart Thursday resigned as secretary general of the ruling Democrat party, hours after the Constitutional Court found him guilty of corruption. “I listened to the court’s verdict with respect, and I do not regret the verdict. I accept the court’s decision,” he said in a statement read out by government spokesman Akapol Sorasuchart. Sanan, who was found guilty of filing a false statement of his assets, said he will quit his position as Democrat secretary general after 15 years in the post, although he vowed to continue working with the party. “I want to express my gratitude to the Democrat party which I am resigning from as secretary general today to preserve the party’s dignity,” the statement said. Sanan insisted that he will pay back all his debts to the AIS Auto Service Company, a car parts dealership from which he claims to have received a 45-million-baht (1.2- million-dollar) loan. However, the court ruled that no such loan was ever made, raising doubts over the source of some of Sanan’s considerable personal wealth. Chamni Sakdiset was assigned as acting secretary general until party leader, Chuan Leekpai, calls a meeting to select a new candidate for the post.