Fresh election ordered for Pathum Thani PAO chairman

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Winner of Phoeu Thai disqualified for allegedly buying votes

PUBLISHED: 27 Aug 2024 at 17: 41

Charn Puangpetch celebrates his victory at his house in Sam Khok district, Pathum Thani on the night of June 30. He has since been disqualified but can stand in the recalled election. (Photo: Pongpat Wongyala)
On the night of June 30th, Charn Puangpetch celebrates his triumph at his home in Pathum Thani’s Sam Khok city. He is no longer eligible for the recalled vote, but he can run. ( Photo: Pongpat Wongyala )

The Election Commission (EC ) has ordered a new election to be held and disqualified the winner of the election for chairman of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administration Organization ( PAO ) &nbsp.

Charn Phuangphet, success of the June 30 vote, has been issued a yellow passport over concerns about alleged voting purchase. He reportedly threw a pre-polls group to woo citizens.

But, Mr Charn can remain afterwards, competing with other individuals for the seats. No date was set for the vote.

Mr. Charn contested the vote as a member of the Pheu Thai Party.

He received 203, 032 vote, beating Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang, the original PAO chairman, who received 201, 212 seats. Noppadol Laddayaem came second with 16, 983 and Athiwat Sonnoei third with 7, 122 seats

Charn, 62, and Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit, 72, were the main contenders in the PAO vote.

In addition to his previous roles as PAO president more than ten years ago, Mr. Charn is facing a misconduct trial.

The National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC ) concluded in 2012 that there were grounds to believe that Mr. Charn had knowingly squandered funds in order to pay for the PAO’s purchase of aid during the 2011 floods.

The NACC next forwarded the situation to the Region 1 Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct, which suspended Mr. Charn from his job after that time. The&nbsp, situation remains unfinalised.