Patong Mayor Pian guilty of vote fraud, but will run for re-election

PHUKET: Deposed Patong Mayor Pian Keesin yesterday was found guilty of electoral fraud in the September 2012 council election, but is free to run for re-election to head Phuket’s key resort town.

Also found guilty for their roles in importing voters specifically to cast votes in the election were Jaroern Khwanyeun, Prasarn Noochet, Prasit Phatkor, Mana Phanchalad and Narong Cheuayuan.

“Two of the five councilors were issued “red cards”, meaning they cannot stand for the next election, which must be held within 60 days,” Phuket Election Commission (PEC) Director Kittipong Thiengkunakrit told the Phuket Gazette.

The remaining three councilors were issued “yellow cards”, meaning they could stand for re-election, he added.

Mr Kittipong said that he was not yet sure which two councilors were issued red cards.

Mayor Pian and all five councilors were suspended from office in September last year (story here) pending the outcome of their trial, which concluded at the Administrative Court in Phuket Town yesterday morning.

The councilors are all members of Mr Pian’s Rak Patong (Love Patong) party.

“We have yet to be officially informed of the full sentences and penalties handed down by the court. We expect to receive that information by next week,” Mr Kittipong said.

Mr Pian assured the Gazette that he would stand for re-election.

“I was sentenced a ‘yellow card’ and plan to run for re-election as Patong Mayor,” he confirmed.

He declined to comment further.

The ruling for by-elections to be held in Patong within the next 60 days will require an additional mandatory alcohol ban in Phuket’s premier party town.

Under election law, alcohol bans begin at 6pm the night before the election and extend to midnight on the day of the election.

The Patong by-election will subject Phuket to five election alcohol bans within just two months (story here).

— Saran Mitrarat