Law
Bangkok City Council Member Admits to Proxy Voting Scandal
A Bangkok City Council member has admitted to casting a vote on behalf of an absent colleague, sparking calls for a formal investigation into potential legal violations.
On August 3, 2026, Bangkok City Council (BCC) members from the Democrat Party addressed a controversy involving a proxy voting incident. According to reports from Khaosod Online, Mr. Phattharasak Mai-phranet, a council member for the People's Party representing Yannawa District, admitted to using the voting card of Mr. Sairam Prakaikit, the council member for Sathon District, during a session on July 31, 2026.
The incident occurred during a deliberation on amendments to BCC meeting regulations. Discrepancies were noted when the vote count reached 42, despite only 41 members being present in the chamber. Mr. Suthichai Veerkulsunthorn and Mr. Napapon Jeerakul, representing the Democrat Party, characterized the act as a serious breach of conduct, noting that BCC regulations strictly prohibit proxy voting. They emphasized that such actions undermine the legislative process, which directly impacts public policy and city governance.
The Democrat Party members have announced plans to file a formal complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on August 5, 2026. For residents and observers, this incident highlights concerns regarding the integrity of local legislative procedures. While the admission of the act has been made, the final legal consequences—which could potentially include imprisonment or permanent disqualification from office—remain subject to the findings of the upcoming NACC investigation.
Translated from Thai.
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