Election cases set to begin

Chanikarn Phumhirun

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court's Election Division is scheduled to hear on March 14 a red-card case against Pheu Thai Party Bangkok MP constituency 12 Karun Hosakul, chairman Chaiyasit Trachutham said yesterday.

The Election Commission red-carded Karun for allegedly defaming Democrat Party MP candidate Thaenkun Jitissara and the Democrat Party during his election campaign on June 3, 2011, at the Bunanant market and at Kosum Ruamjai market on June 12, 2011.

Other election cases the court will hear this year include that against Democrat Si Sa Ket MP candidate Somkiat Traisaranapanya, who is accused of buying votes. The EC has red-carded Somkiat and revoked his election rights for five years. The court has scheduled the first hearing on January 15.

The court will hear a case of buying votes against Pheu Thai Party Surin MP candidate Kollayuth Ruangkanchanaset on February 20.

Chaiyasit said last year the court had heard 18 election cases involving MP and senatorial elections. Three Senators were disqualified - Sak Korsaengruang, Srisuk Rungwisai, and Prajit Rojanapruek, who has also been deprived of election rights for five years.

Two MP candidates also deprived of election rights for five years are: Matubhum Party MP Si Sa Ket candidate Pittaya Bunchaliew, and Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Maha Sarakam candidate Apirat Bannarak.

The court also ordered two re-elections - in Chon Buri's Constituency 2 where Palang Chon Party MP Ukrit Tansawat won the election but has been disqualified; and at Lop Buri's constituency 4 where Bhum Jai Thai Party MP Kiat Luangkachornwit won the election but has been disqualified.

-- The Nation 2013-01-03

"Red carding!" Wow these Thais. What a technique to enforce will on another. Red card them. Boy oh boy these Thais - very clever I would say.

Democrats buying votes...never heard of. No extremist apologists on here for them. Not surprised

Wow! Candidates from FOUR different parties investigated with three cases out of 18 left (if I understand correctly). Mind you with elections way back July 3rd, 2011, the Supreme Court's Election Commission might want to explain to the general public what took them so long

I think I have been here too long. I saw this headline, and thought by some miracle they were

going to prosecute PTP for vote buying....