Chart Thai duo disqualified

Two Chart Thai candidates who won a seat in the general election were disqualified yesterday for vote-buying.

Ten others, including eight from the People Power Party, were suspended by the Election Commission.

The EC issued red cards against Nanthana Songpracha and Monthien Songpracha - Chart Thai candidates in Chai Nat's constituency 1.

Eight yellow cards were also given to winners from the PPP and one each to winners from Chart Thai and the Democrat Party.

The EC suspended six top vote earners in Udon Thani's constituency 1 and 2. The PPP candidates in seat 1 were Surathin Phimarnmekhin, Anan Sriphan and Cherdchai Wichianwan.

The three suspended in constituency 2 were Theerachai Saenkaew, Torpong Chaiyasarn and Thongdee Manissarn.

The other two, from Udon Thani's constituency 3, were Prasop Bussara-kham and Chakkrapat Chaiyasarn.

In Chaiyaphum, Chart Thai winner Bunthoon Kiatkongchoochai got a yellow card.

EC members said Suthat Jansaengsi, a winning candidate for the Democrat Party in Phetchabun's constituency 1, avoided a red card by one vote, so he - and all other recipients of yellow cards - would be able to stand again in re-run ballots.

Commissioner Somchai Jungprasert said the EC's rule was they only issue a red card if four of the five members support a winner being disqualified.

Last week the EC issued 3 red cards for winning candidates from the PPP in Buri Ram's constituency 1. Four yellow cards were also issued to PPP winners from Nakhon Ratchasima (three) and one from Lampang.

EC office secretary-general Suthiphon Taweechaiygarn said a by-election would be staged in Nakhon Ratchasima on January 13, with another in Buri Ram on January 17 and the rest on January 20.

Suthipon said the EC yesterday also endorsed six winning candidates, five from the PPP and one from the Democrats.

 Atthayuth Butrsripoom

 The Nation