Anchalee’s election confirmed

PHUKET: The election of Anchalee Vanich-Thepabutr as President of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) has been confirmed by the Central Election Committee (CEC) in Bangkok, though an official announcement has yet to be made in Phuket. Dr Prapa Kayee, Chairman of Phuket Election Commision (PEC) told the Gazette that the CEC had also confirmed the elections of other members of the OrBorJor in polls on March 14. The official announcement will be made on Monday, she said. “I have been told that the CEC met and approved K. Anchalee as president of the OrBorJor, but we have not yet received confirmation in writing,” she said, explaining the delay in the announcement. K. Anchalee declined to comment on the confirmation of her election until after the official announcement is made. Her overwhelming election – she is a former Democrat Member of Parliament – put paid to an attempt by the ruling Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party to become a force in local politics on the island. Dr Prapa said that the results of the Patong Municipality election of February 7 and the Phuket City Municipality election of April 4 had not yet been confirmed. Both are still under investigation, she said, because complaints of misconduct had been filed against winners. Also still awaiting the completion of investigation are the results of by-elections in four tambons. The by-elections were themselves called after winning candidates in earlier Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor) elections were disqualified by the CEC for campaign misdeeds. The by-elections were called for Moo 7, OrBorTor Rawai; Moo 3, OrBorTor Wichit; Moo 2, OrBorTor Rassada; and Moo 3, OrBorTor Koh Kaew.