Bangkok to see by-election in late January
The cabinet has approved a royal decree to hold a by-election in Constituency 9 in Bangkok which is expected to be held on Jan 30, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
The date is to be set officially when the decree is announced later. But the poll is expected on Jan 30.
The by-election is being called to fill a vacancy left by Sira Jenjaka who was disqualified as a ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP last week by the Constitutional Court.
Sira was convicted of fraud by the Pathumwan District Court in 1995 and sentenced to eight months in jail.
The term was halved because he confessed.
The ruling was prompted by a petition submitted by Seri Ruam Thai Party leader, Pol Gen Sereepisuth Temeeyaves. He had asked the court to rule on whether Sira was qualified to be an MP, pointing to his prior conviction.
Mr Wissanu said on Tuesday Sira must retroactively pay for the expenses for organising the last election in Constituency 9 while the Election Commission will cover the cost of the upcoming poll.
Traisuree Taisaranakul, a deputy government spokeswoman, said the royal decree is expected to take effect on Jan 2 and the registration of candidates to run from Jan 6-10.
Also on Tuesday, the Kla Party ("brave party") announced that its secretary-general Atavit Suwannapakdee will contest the by-election in a bid to reclaim his former turf.
Earlier, Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said former candidate Surachart Thienthong, who remains active in the constituency, is expected to stand under his party's banner.
The Move Forward Party (MFP), meanwhile, has endorsed actor Karunpol Thiansuwan as its candidate in the by-election instead of former candidate Kritnucha Sansern, who finished third in the 2019 poll. Read More…
