Khon kaen: The court has ordered a new election for the Khon Kaen Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) chairman to be held within 60 days. Polling is expected to begin this October. According to Thai News Agency, the Region 4 Appeals Court overturned the results of the Khon Kaen PAO mayoral election following a petition from the Election Commission (EC) that alleged vote buying and selling, rendering the election unfair and dishonest.
The Court of Appeals Region 4 spent over an hour reading its verdict in the case between the EC and Mr. Wattana Changlao, ordering the annulment of the election results and the holding of a new election for the Khon Kaen PAO chairman. The court found that the EC's evidence, particularly regarding the giving of 100 baht to three witnesses along with the candidate's number, was credible. The court reasoned that the giver, being a mature individual with election experience, could not have been joking. The EC's explanation that the money was for fish fry, diapers, or cow feed was deemed inconsistent with the facts and therefore inadmissible. The court further stated that this conduct indicated election fraud and a lack of transparency, negatively impacting the image of Khon Kaen province and its people.
After hearing the verdict, Mr. Wattana Changlao, along with his team and lawyers, immediately left the court without giving any interviews to the media. Mr. Wachara Srisarn, Director of the EC of Khon Kaen Province, revealed that the verdict immediately removes the incumbent from office. The Khon Kaen PAO Secretary will assume acting duties, and the verdict will be reported to the central EC office for further legal proceedings. The law stipulates that a new election must be held within 60 days of the date the position becomes vacant according to the court's verdict, with the election date expected to be set for early October 2026.
This election will be open to all new candidates. Those who meet the qualifications can apply, just like in a general election. This includes Mr. Wattana Changlao, the former Khon Kaen PAO Chairman, who can still run if he does not have any disqualifying characteristics or political restrictions, as the EC has previously dismissed any complaints regarding his qualifications. The person elected as Khon Kaen PAO Chairman in this new election will begin a new four-year term as stipulated by law. Furthermore, the Khon Kaen Provincial Election Commission advises prospective candidates to check their qualifications and disqualifying characteristics, and prepare supporting documents, especially proof of tax payments for the past three years, and to verify that they have not had their voting rights revoked or restricted, to ensure their application is in accordance with the law.