Kathu residents eligible for upcoming mayoral election in Phuket

The Phuket branch of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket) officially announced that residents of the Kathu subdistrict will be eligible to participate in an upcoming mayoral election in January.

The announcement was made public through a notice yesterday, November 29, although the official date of the election was not disclosed on Kathu Municipality’s official website or Facebook page.

The notice clarified that the election is to be conducted in compliance with the Local Council Election Act, which mandates that the mayoral election must take place within 60 days of November 21. The reason for the 60-day period starting specifically from November 21 was not detailed.

Interestingly, the mayoral position of Kathu had been declared vacant under orders from the Governor of Phuket. This followed the abrupt removal of long-standing Mayor Chai-Anan Suthikul from his position by the preceding Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew in late January. The dismissal was the culmination of an investigation into allegations that Chai-Anan had authorised a private entity to extract water from a lagoon at Kathu’s Tin Mine Museum.

An earlier attempt to conduct an election to fill the vacant mayoral slot was made on March 19, but this was halted by a court injunction. At that time, the Election Director at Kathu Municipality, Dechakorn Kaenmuang, stated that the enforcement of two Phuket Provincial Orders had been temporarily rescinded, making the mayoral position of Kathu still officially occupied.

According to the election notice issued by ECT Phuket, potential candidates can submit their applications to join the race at Kathu Municipality, from December 4 to 8, between 8.30am and 4.30pm. The registration process will require proof of Thai citizenship, a house registration, a medical certificate, a facial photograph of the candidate, and a fee of 4,000 baht, reported Phuket News.

Mayoral election proof

Additionally, candidates must provide evidence of a minimum educational qualification of a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, as well as proof of having served as a local council member, a local administrator, or a member of parliament. They must also show evidence of having paid personal income tax for at least the past three years. Candidates who have not fulfilled this tax obligation are required to submit a written statement explaining their circumstances.

The notice also indicated that other documents such as an official name or surname change, a birth certificate, or a change of registered residence might also be needed. Notably absent from the notice was the fact that, in line with election law, a 24-hour alcohol ban will be in effect in the Kathu subdistrict on the day of the election, January 14.