Thai politician accused of raising votes with Viagra
An unidentified candidate for Thailand's parliamentary elections in December may have used Viagra to court elderly male voters at social functions, a campaign worker told the Bangkok Post Friday. "The politician is giving out Viagra to gain popularity and votes," said Sayan Nopcha, a campaign worker for the People's Power Party based north of Bangkok in Pathum Thai province.
Sayan said he could not reveal the name of the candidate in question because it was difficult to prove, but showed two pills of Viagra to reporters as "evidence," the Bangkok Post reported Friday.
The accusation comes amid strict new laws against vote buying, with punishments that include disqualification for candidates and prison time for voters receiving money or gifts, The Associated Press reported.
The People's Power Party faces stiff competition from 40 parties vying for 480 seats in the lower house of parliament, the first election since a military coup removed elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.
-P.C.
