The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has stripped Pheu Thai MP for Mukdahan Province, Anurak Tangpanithanont, of his parliamentary status as of December 15th, 2021, after finding him guilty of a gross violation of ethical conduct.

The court also withdrew his voting rights and the right to contest elections for ten years in its ruling, which was announced today (Friday).

Anurak was accused by the National Anti-Corruption Commission of demanding five million baht from the director-general of Groundwater Resources Department, Sakda Vichiensil, in exchange for the smooth passage through parliament of the department’s budget for the 2021 fiscal year.

The corruption case was accepted by the Supreme Court on December 15th, 2021. On the same day, the court ordered Anurak to cease performing his duties as an MP, pending his trial on the corruption charge.