Senator faces Supreme Court over misleading PhD claims
The Election Commission (EC) intends to request the Supreme Court to revoke the voting rights of Senator Keskamol Pleansamai, who has been accused of misleading the public regarding her educational qualifications.
In her Senate campaign in June 2024, Keskamol claimed to be a professor with a PhD from California University. She received the highest number of votes in the final polling round on June 26. However, in July, a complaint was filed concerning her qualifications, and the EC’s investigation determined that the use of a PhD title necessitated actual study, graduation, and certification.
California University is described as a foreign credential evaluation institution, and the certificates it issues lack accreditation from relevant Thai authorities. The EC concluded that Keskamol’s claims violated Section 77 of the 2018 Senate election law, as they were aimed at deceiving voters.
Keskamol, who holds a verified medical degree from Rangsit University, also faced scrutiny on social media regarding her alleged multiple graduate degrees and professorship.
Additionally, she owns four beauty clinics with a significant online presence and chose to compete in the Freelance Workers group, rather than the Public Health group, during the Senate election.
The Medical Council of Thailand previously stated that Keskamol was not authorised to label herself a skin specialist, lacking recognised dermatology certification.
Under Section 77, candidates found guilty of deceiving voters about their educational qualifications face imprisonment ranging from one to ten years and/or fines between 20,000 and 200,000 baht. A conviction would result in a 20-year loss of voting rights.
Should the Supreme Court accept the case, Keskamol would be required to suspend her senatorial duties pending a ruling.
Keskamol is also subject to another complaint concerning alleged collusion in the Senate election last year. EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong recently indicated that the commission plans to conclude its investigation into alleged election fraud within this month.
The Department of Special Investigation is also addressing several complaints related to vote-rigging and money laundering tied to the election, reported Bangkok Post.
Latest Thailand News
Follow The Thaiger on Google News:
