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

[webfact]

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


Deposed Patong Mayor Pian Keesin will run for re-election in the election to take place within the next 60 days. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

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.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2014/Patong-Mayor-Pian-guilty-of-vote-fraud-but-will-run-for-re-election-27786.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-03-08

[Tatsujin]

"red card/yellow card" . . . what a joke . . . ban them for life . . .

[NamKangMan]

Red Card - Yellow Card - seems they were dealt the "Get out of gaol Free" card. :)

[LivinginKata]

so, no rule that anyone found guilty of electoral fraud be banned from signing up as a future candidate. Oh well....

[Guest]

This is one place where the Phuketians should use actully their whistles.. but I suppose it will never happen.

[Pikeybkk]

What a joke, how can the Thai people put up with this <deleted>! Is he not with the PDRC?

[madmitch]

He'd be hit with a life ban and possibly a jail term in most civilised countries but the Thai form of democracy is different to anywhere else.

And as for five weekends of booze bans in the next couple of months in Patong: this is something the newly elected mayor should try to do something about for the future.

[xminator]

That is one guy with his connections sorted...

[arthurboy]

I give up...yet again.

sent from my hippo phone

[SouthernMan3]

Just gotta love this government.

They show their stand on corruption quite clearly.

[scorecard]

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"red card/yellow card" . . . what a joke . . . ban them for life . . .

Another good reason for reform before next general election.

IMHO people caught vote buying should be banned for life from any involvement in elections and banned from holding any form of public office or employment in agencies funded by taxpayers funds.

IMHO jail for vote buying should be mandatory, at least 12 months, and longer jail terms in more serious cases.

[Shot]

[kannot]

He sure looks a slimy individual......should do real well here then.

[ezzra]

Being implicated in wrong doing or corruptions is not a enough now days

to deter crooked politicians for re running, just look at that disgusting slob

that running Toronto...

[GAZZPA]

Found guilty of fraud and yet can stand for re election!!

I thought Thailand wanted to stamp out its corruption? How can people seriously put up with this? Surely the Thai's should be looking at this guy in disgust, surely he should be banned for life from standing for anything? Surely he should be facing a jail sentence?

This is in the press for everyone to read. Thailand must be the laughing stock of the rest of the world with headlines like this. I hope the Thai people wake up and soon if they want their country to prosper and for all the money to be spent for the good of the people..

[ajarnmarc]

Wow, after paying 500bht per vote, this Mayor still finds his position / post valuable enough to do it all over again?

There must be huge upside to his post / position as Mayor.

Great for the voters, they get to collect twice.

This time around, they should charge more,

since they know he really wants the job.

Thai style...

[johnlandy]

"red card/yellow card" . . . what a joke . . . ban them for life . . .

Yes! where else but in Thailand

[Emster23]

Clearly need to import some FIFA qualified refs here. Pure straight red card. Studs up!

[max72]

Just gotta love this government.

They show their stand on corruption quite clearly.

This are the yellowish politicians, who are 1000 more corrupt than the PTP, according all international ONGs (see Transparency International).

Nothing can be more corrupt than the "un-democratic" thugs

Edited March 8, 2014 by max72

[Somtamnication]

A lot of money to get a yellow card as opposed to a red card. Just sayin'.

[PepperMe]

You red shirt lot.... have any comments? I suppose you support this guy and the corruption surrounding him also.

Isn't that your mantra?

Corruption is the way forward.

[tomacht8]

It is a shame
Fraudsters in public office everywhere.
As long as that is not changed, Thailand will never have honest politicians.

Please Thailand
exclude from now on, all persons from electoral lists, Parlament, Government and public offices which

a have criminal records.

b running free on bail.

c were already banned from parliament in the past.

d against are corruption or crime cases opened.

[arthurboy]

Guys, the laws already exist and have done long before the current government.

On paper, Thailand has some of the most stringent legislation anywhere and has had so for eons.

So why does nothing happen?

Give me a second, and I'll get back to you...

sent from my hippo phone

Edited March 8, 2014 by arthurboy

[godden]

When are they going to clean this septic tank, and start afresh!!!!

[steveyinasia]

Found guilty yet get to do it all again….another quality Thai politician.

[MobileContent]

Thats what I always say. The EC is biased against the Northern Thai's but not again the Southern politician's.

A vote buy in the North or Northeast will be a red card but not so on Suthep's territory in the South.

[godden]

The voters must ask their selves would i buy a second hand car from this ars*hole

[seabass69]

"red card/yellow card" . . . what a joke . . . ban them for life . . .

Yes! where else but in Thailand

Brazil?

[soalbundy]

This is just one glaring example off all that is wrong with Thailand. The FTI is worried that foreign investment may go elsewhere, they should be.

[Pinot]

Patong has an unusual voting base. It's very small for the amount of people that live there. That's probably why they can bring in a small amount of bribed voters that will swing the difference. I don't know the details of how this works but It's been explained to me in the past that the voter base is small and it's difficult to register to vote without being a long time resident. Thus you get the same crooks over and over again and why things will never change.