Election Commission Issues Red Cards to Suthep Mayor and Council Members

On September 3, 2026, Nopadol Suya, Director of the Chiang Mai Election Commission, announced that the central Election Commission has issued 'red cards' to Surachet Takamma, the Mayor of Suthep Municipality, and six members of the municipal council from the second electoral district. The disqualification stems from allegations of campaigning beyond the legally permitted timeframe.

While the Election Commission has reached this decision, the process is not yet finalized. The commission must submit its investigation files and findings to the Region 5 Court of Appeal for a definitive ruling. As of now, the files have not yet been formally submitted to the court.

For residents and visitors in the Suthep area, it is important to note that the Mayor and the council members remain in their positions and continue to perform their official duties as usual. They will only be required to suspend their duties if the court formally accepts the case for trial. Should the court uphold the disqualification, a new election must be organized within 60 days. Both the complainants and the accused are expected to present their evidence during the upcoming judicial proceedings. The situation remains fluid, and further updates will depend on the court's eventual review of the evidence.