Phuket Senator selection underway
More than 240 people have registered their candidacy to be selected as the next senator representing Phuket. Orapin Acheevasuk, Director of the Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket), confirmed the count during an inspection visit by Phuket Vice Governor Nirsak Suksomboon to one of the registration centres on May 22.
Although the rate of applications has fallen since acceptance of applications began on Monday, May 20, the number of applications continued to flow in steadily from all 20 society groups eligible to enter, Ms Orapin said.
Mr Norasak said that ensuring that the process was in accordance with the regulations, and ran smoothly, and with transparency, was of high importance. Police were on standby to respond to any incidents, he noted.
Registrations closed at all three registration centres ‒ at Kathu District Office, Thalang District Office and Muang Phuket District Office ‒ at 4:30pm last Friday (May 24).
ECT Phuket now has until May 29 to vet the applications and present a list of candidates eligible to enter the selection process.
After that, the District-level selection committee has until June 9 to finalise their lists of preferred candidates, with the provinciallevel senator election committee, headed by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, having until June 16 to announce its list of candidates to the national-level selection committee.
The “national senator election day” [sic] is to be observed on June 26, with all new senators in the country to be formally announced sometime in July ((date not yet specified).
ECT Phuket has issued a long list of what candidates can and cannot do while waiting for the selection process to be completed.
Candidates can announce their registration through any channels, and formal registration can be done either on paper in person or submitted electronically.
Candidates are not permitted to canvas at registration centres, but can “introduce yourself through any online platform”.
However, any canvassing must comply with the following rules:
Do not involve the monarchy.
Do not allow other candidates, MPs, members of the local councils or local administrators, executive, directors, or people holding any position in a political party or person holding a political position, to endorse any candidate
Do not introduce yourself by arranging entertainment or festivities.
People who work in the media or the entertainment field are prohibited from using their own abilities or profession to benefit them in introducing themselves.
Do not distribute identification documents by placing, scattering or posting notices in public places.
Do not introduce yourself by using violent words or inciting to cause unrest in the area.
Do not introduce yourself on radio, television or printed media.
Do not give interviews to the media, journalists or advertising media published on various digital platforms.
People were advised to follow news about the selection of senators via the Smart Vote’ app.
Any tip-offs could be reported via the ‘Pineapple eyes’ community organisation.
Complaints could be reported directly via the Election Commission of Thailand hotline 1444 or via the Ombudsman’s Office (Damrongtham Center_ hotline 1567.