Disqualifications leave Sriyada to run unopposed

PHUKET CITY: The Supreme Court has upheld the disqualification of two of the three parliamentary candidates for Phuket Electoral District 1, which includes Phuket City and its surrounds.

This leaves Dr Sriyada Palimapan of Thai Rak Thai (TRT) as the sole candidate, the Phuket Election Commission (PEC) has announced.

PEC Director Kittipong Thiengkunagrit told the Gazette that the Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld the PEC’s ruling that lawyer Thavorn Permpoon, of the Thai Chuay Thai Party, was not qualified because he had not been a member of the party for at least 90 days, the minimum required by electoral law.

K. Thavorn had appealed to the Supreme Court on grounds that that he more than fulfilled the 90-day requirement. He earlier told the Gazette that he was surprised by the PEC’s decision. “I have been a registered member of the party since March 23, 2005, and the party appointed me an honorary member on May 11, 2005,” he said.

K. Kittipong said, however, “The PEC has conclusive evidence that K. Thavorn has not been a member of the Thai Chuay Thai Party for more than 90 days.”

K. Kittipong also said that the Supreme Court yesterday ruled that Pol Sgt Panya Borirak of the Pattana Chart Thai Party also failed to meet the 90-day party membership requirement.

An announcement posted at the PEC offices in Phuket City explained that the party membership number entered on K. Panya’s election registration form was that of another person, Watcharaprateep Varaphiang.

K. Kittipong said, “The PEC is waiting to hear from the Central Election Commission whether it will prosecute the disqualified candidates or not.”

In the election for District 2, which represents all other areas of Phuket, TRT member Wisut Santikul is also the sole candidate.

In order to win seats in Parliament, K. Wisut and Dr Sriyada must each garner a number of votes equivalent to at least 20% of the number of registered voters in their district.