Crime Son of Prominent MP Sparks Violence at Songkhla Polling Station

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin 

 

An incident disrupted the voting process in Songkhla Province afternoon of 11 May, when the son of a well-known Member of Parliament reacted angrily to being told not to take photographs inside a polling booth. The situation escalated when a group of seven men later assaulted a police officer at the scene.

 

The confrontation took place at Polling Station 7, Moo 2, in the Phawong subdistrict of Songkhla. Reports indicate that the son of a prominent politician attempted to take photographs while voting, an act prohibited under Thai electoral law. When a police officer intervened to prevent the violation, the individual became irate and verbally abused the officer.

 

Approximately 20 minutes after the initial altercation, three pickup trucks arrived at the polling station, carrying a group of young men allegedly affiliated with the MP’s son. They proceeded to physically assault the officer involved, identified as Pol. Sgt. Nisatit Kongthep, a Border Patrol Police officer. The attackers reportedly used chairs to strike the officer, causing injuries to his head, eye and wrist. He is being treated at Songkhla Hospital.

 

Pol. Lt. Col. Somnuek Kunmanee, Director of the Songkhla Provincial Election Commission Office, confirmed the attack and stated that authorities have identified the individuals responsible. Efforts are underway to persuade them to surrender to the police.

 

In addition to this violent incident, two other complaints have been reported in Songkhla during local elections: one involving alleged vote-buying and another concerning the destruction of a ballot paper. Authorities have pledged to conduct thorough investigations into all reported incidents, using available evidence and witness statements.

 

The events have raised serious concerns over election security and the behaviour of individuals connected to political figures, as well as the need for enforcement of electoral laws.

 

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-12.

 

 

[Jim Blue]

Interesting to see how this plays out .

 

[ikke1959]

Rules and laws are only for the common people, High ranked people and Government officials and their family members are free to do as they want.. Seen and heard it many times already...This is just another case... 

[JoePai]

Efforts are underway to persuade them to surrender to the police       🤣

[impulse]

3 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Interesting to see how this plays out .

 

Songkhla is a world unto itself. 

 

If the guy's connected to the fishing families, they'll probably end up apologizing to him and offering to replace any chairs that got damaged beating the cops with them.

  

But, I hope I'm wrong.  I love Songkhla and the people.  But they have messed up politics.

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Police Chief Condemns Brutal Attack on Officer at Songkhla Polling Station

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

National police chief has issued a firm condemnation after a border patrol officer was viciously beaten at a polling station in Songkhla province, vowing that all perpetrators will face the full force of the law.

 

Pol. Gen. Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, described the attack as “brazen and lawless” after Pol. Sgt. Maj. Nisathit Kongthep, of Border Patrol Police Company 43, was assaulted while on duty during municipal council and mayoral elections in Phawong subdistrict.

 

The incident took place at polling station no. 7 in Moo 2 of Mueang district, when Sgt. Maj. Nisathit intervened to stop a group of individuals from taking photographs inside the station, an act prohibited under Thailand’s electoral laws. It later emerged that the person taking photos was a member of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), who was accompanied by a group of followers.

 

According to reports, tempers flared when the officer warned the group that photography was not permitted. A mob of five to seven men then attacked Sgt. Maj. Nisathit, before fleeing the scene. He is currently recovering at Songkhla Hospital.

 

Pol. Gen. Kittirat has ordered a swift and thorough investigation, assigning the Songkhla provincial police chief to personally oversee the case. He has also instructed special operations teams to crack down on any influential figures or groups attempting to act above the law.

 

“This type of lawless behaviour will not be tolerated,” said the police chief. “It does not matter who the perpetrators are, everyone must be held accountable. No one has the right to place themselves above the law.”

 

He also confirmed that the investigation will explore whether the attackers are linked to any broader criminal activity. Authorities have been tasked with collecting evidence quickly and preparing legal proceedings against all involved.

 

In addition, Pol. Gen. Kittirat has dispatched senior officers to provide support to the injured officer and has demanded full legal action be pursued without delay.

 

“This incident is a stark reminder that respect for the rule of law is essential in a democratic society,” he added. “Anyone who dares defy it will be met with strong and decisive justice.”

 

The investigation is ongoing.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-05-12.

 

 

[Geoffggi]

1 hour ago, Georgealbert said:

Pol. Gen. Kittirat has ordered a swift and thorough investigation, assigning the Songkhla provincial police chief to personally oversee the case. He has also instructed special operations teams to crack down on any influential figures or groups attempting to act above the law.

 

Start at the top & work downwards ................LOL

[Gottfrid]

8 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Efforts are underway to persuade them to surrender to the police.

Persuade? Isn´t it just to go arrest them? Oh sorry, forgot. The RTP is too busy!

[KireB]

So who is this MP?

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Son of Democrat MP Surrenders to Police Over Assault on Officer at Songkhla Polling Station

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A man wanted in connection with the assault of a police officer during local elections in Songkhla has turned himself in to authorities, accompanied by his father, a sitting Member of Parliament.

 

At 12:30 on 12 May, Mr Siradon Phlaiduang, 28, known locally as “Sajor Golf,” arrived at Mueang Songkhla Police Station alongside his father, Mr Somyot Phlaiduang, Democrat Party MP for Songkhla’s Constituency 3. Mr Siradon is among seven suspects named in arrest warrants following the violent incident, which took place at a polling station in Phawong Subdistrict.

 

The case involves the assault of Pol. Sgt. Nisatit Kongthep, an officer attached to Border Patrol Police Company 43, who was reportedly injured while attempting to prevent unauthorised photography at Polling Station 7 during the municipal elections for Phawong Subdistrict Municipality.

 

Mr Siradon, who declined to speak to reporters, was led alone into the interrogation room as officers prepared his arrest record. His father briefly addressed the media, stating: “I’ve brought my son in to show that he is innocent.”

 

Police confirmed that of the seven suspects named in the warrant, six have now presented themselves to the authorities. Five of them , Mr Rapeepong “Aon” Sawatchookaew (40), Mr Numsek “Khao” Thongsri (34), Mr Jakkrapong “Jak” Thepchoom (45), Mr Sarayut “Not” Noochaikaew (32), and Mr Pongthep “Nueng Freedom” Wadwilai (41), have been detained. Mr Pongthep remains at large.

 

Another suspect, Mr Yotsaran Sangaban-Khok, also known as “Bang Jai,” aged 38, has not yet been apprehended and is still being sought by police.

 

According to investigators, Mr Siradanai faces two charges:

 

Participating with three or more persons in using force or weapons to resist or obstruct an officer performing official duties

 

Instructing others to commit an offence against an officer acting under legal authority

 

The remaining six suspects face the same first charge and a second charge of physically assaulting an officer acting within their official capacity. The investigation has so far revealed that instructions were allegedly given via mobile phone and that one suspect had stored a firearm at a family residence.

 

Police have strongly opposed bail for all seven individuals, citing the seriousness of the offence and risk of evidence tampering.

 

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has publicly condemned the use of violence against election officials, urging that the matter be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.

 

The Democrat Party has sought to distance itself from the incident, with senior figures asserting that it is a personal matter involving the MP’s son and not related to the party’s activities.

 

The investigation continues as police move forward with legal proceedings against those involved.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khomchadluek 2025-05-13.