Politics EC Seeks to Revoke Senator Keskamol's Voting Rights Over Qualification Misrepresentation

[snoop1130]

Photo via Keskamol Pleansamai/Facebook

 

The Election Commission (EC) is poised to petition the Supreme Court in a bid to strip Senator Keskamol Pleansamai of her voting rights. This move follows allegations that Keskamol misled the public regarding her academic qualifications during her Senate campaign in June 2024.

 

At the heart of the controversy is Keskamol’s claim of holding a professorship and a PhD from California University, assertions that helped her secure the most votes in the final polling round on June 26. However, the EC’s investigation revealed discrepancies, noting that while California University serves as a foreign credential evaluation body, its certificates are not accredited by Thai authorities. This discrepancy violates Section 77 of the 2018 Senate election law, which prohibits misleading declarations to deceive voters.

 

Keskamol, who does hold a legitimate medical degree from Rangsit University, faced further criticism on social media about her self-proclaimed multiple graduate degrees and professorial title. Furthermore, the Medical Council of Thailand clarified that she is not certified as a skin specialist, thus should not label herself as such.

 

In addition to her political career, Keskamol owns four beauty clinics with substantial online exposure. Interestingly, she opted to join the Freelance Workers group rather than the Public Health group in the Senate election.

 

 

 

If found guilty under Section 77, Keskamol could face substantial legal repercussions: a prison sentence of one to ten years and/or fines between 20,000 and 200,000 baht, coupled with a potential 20-year disqualification from voting. Should the Supreme Court accept the EC's case, Keskamol would need to suspend her duties as a senator while awaiting a verdict.

 

Adding to her legal battles, Keskamol is facing another complaint of possible collusion during last year’s Senate election. EC Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong recently announced that the commission aims to complete its inquiry into alleged election fraud by the end of this month. Concurrently, the Department of Special Investigation is probing related accusations of vote-rigging and money laundering connected to the election.

 

This unfolding saga underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, as well as the stringent measures in place to uphold the integrity of Thai politics.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-05-01

 

 

[mfd101]

Corruption 360 in all directions. All possibilities covered.

[DPKANKAN]

noting that while California University serves as a foreign credential evaluation body, its certificates are "not accredited by Thai authorities"

 

So are they real or not????

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, DPKANKAN said:

noting that while California University serves as a foreign credential evaluation body, its certificates are "not accredited by Thai authorities"

 

So are they real or not????

 

More not than real...