Law
Constitutional Court Accepts Case Against MP Kongkiat for Alleged Eligibility Violation
Thailand's Constitutional Court has unanimously accepted a petition to disqualify Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Kongkiat Ketsombat over allegations of concealing a prior theft conviction.
On September 2, 2026, the Constitutional Court of Thailand issued a unanimous decision to accept a petition filed by the Election Commission (EC) regarding the eligibility of Kongkiat Ketsombat, a Member of Parliament representing the Kla Tham Party for Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The EC’s petition, submitted under Section 54 of the 2018 Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives, alleges that Mr. Kongkiat knowingly concealed a final court judgment concerning a theft conviction under Section 335 of the Criminal Code when he registered for the election. The EC is seeking to have his candidacy rights revoked on the grounds that he lacked the necessary qualifications to run for office.
Following the court's decision to accept the case, Mr. Kongkiat has been ordered to submit a formal defense statement within 15 days of receiving the petition copy.
For residents and expatriates, this development highlights ongoing scrutiny regarding the integrity of parliamentary candidates. While this case focuses on the legal qualifications of an individual representative, it underscores the rigorous oversight applied to political officeholders in Thailand. It remains to be confirmed how the court will rule after reviewing the defense, and whether this will lead to a by-election in the affected constituency. The court has not yet set a date for a final verdict.