The Election Commission (EC) resolved today to ask the Supreme Court to consider revoking Senator Dr Keskamol Pleansamai’s voting rights, over an allegedly fraudulent claim regarding her doctoral degree from the University of California.
The EC also sought an order to suspend her from her senatorial duties, should the Court agree to take the case.
Dr Keskamol received the highest number of votes in the final national round of Senate elections held on June 26 last year.
Her educational background has come under public scrutiny, following her claim of holding a PhD in Business Administration from the University of California.
The EC received a complaint against her one month after the Senate election, but only announced its decision today.
The commission’s investigation concluded that there are grounds to believe that the senator misled others about her educational qualifications and capabilities.
“She claimed in her Senate application that she had earned a doctoral degree from California University and identified herself as Dr Keskamol,” the EC stated.
The EC ruled that the title "Dr." may only be used if the individual has studied in person at an accredited institution. The “California University”, however, operated via a system of report submission and grade transfers and is not recognised by the relevant Thai authorities.
Anyone found guilty of such deception, under Section 77(4) of senate election laws, may face imprisonment for a term of one to ten years, a fine ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 baht, or both.
