The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders revoked the voting rights of Bhumjaithai MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat Mukdawan Luangseenil today, after finding her guilty of vote buying in the 2023 election.
The court also ordered her to pay eight million baht in compensation, to cover the election expenses.
Mukdawan, 63, won the election in Constituency 8 of Nakhon Si Thammarat province with 23,393 votes. In January last year, however, the Election Commission (EC) issued her with a “red card”, after discovering that she gave 25,000 baht in cash to a canvasser to buy the votes of eligible voters at 500 baht per head.
The case was forwarded to the Supreme Court on July 5th last year. The court’s acceptance of the case and subsequent verdict has resulted in the automatic suspension of Mukdawan from parliamentary duties.
The date of a by-election will be announced by the Interior Ministry.
Constituency 8 comprises four districts, Na Bon, Chang Klang, Chawang and Phipoon. In 2023, there were 117,640 eligible voters. The election turnout was 76.52%.
Four candidates have expressed interest in contesting the by-election. They are Chinnavorn Bunyakiat of the Democrat Party, Kongkiat Katesombat of the Kla Dham Party, Natthakit Yuduang of the People’s Party and Komdet Matchimawong of the United Thai Nation Party.
The Bhumjaithai Party is yet to decide on a candidate, from a choice of Sunthorn Rakrong, Kravee Wankaeo and Sawai Luangseenil, Mukdawan’s husband.
