Politics
Election Commission Seeks Disqualification of Nakhon Si Thammarat MP
Thailand's Election Commission has petitioned the Constitutional Court to revoke the candidacy and pursue criminal charges against MP Kongkiat Ketsombat.
On August 13, 2026, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) announced a formal petition to the Constitutional Court regarding Kongkiat Ketsombat, an MP representing Nakhon Si Thammarat for the Kla Tham Party. According to Khaosod Online, the ECT has requested that the court revoke Mr. Kongkiat’s candidacy and initiate criminal proceedings against him.
The commission alleges that Mr. Kongkiat knowingly registered for the 2025 by-election despite possessing prohibited characteristics that disqualified him from running. This by-election was held to fill a vacancy in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s 8th constituency, which opened after the previous MP, Mukdawan Luangsrinin, was disqualified by the Supreme Court for a ten-year period. The ECT is invoking Section 54 of the 2018 Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, alongside criminal charges related to providing false information.
For residents and observers of Thai politics, this case highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding candidate eligibility and the integrity of by-election processes. While the ECT has made its recommendation, the matter is now pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court. It remains to be confirmed how the court will interpret the evidence and what specific legal penalties, if any, will be imposed on the MP. The situation underscores the volatility of local political representation in the region.