Prolific petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has lodged another complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra regarding her recent appointment of a minister allegedly involved in corruption during a local election.
Surapong Piyachote, who is now the deputy transport minister, participated in the 2020 Kanchanaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) election, where a conviction for vote-buying purportedly in his favor occurred.
Mr. Ruangkrai expressed concerns about the ethical implications for both Mr. Surapong and the prime minister, questioning the decision to appoint him.
Last month, the Constitutional Court dismissed Ms. Paetongtarn’s predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for appointing a minister with a corrupt background to his cabinet.
Mr. Ruangkrai argues that Mr. Surapong’s appointment may breach Section 160 of the constitution and Article 8 regarding ethical standards, potentially jeopardizing the prime minister’s position.
The petition details a 2022 ruling by the Kanchanaburi Provincial Court, which sentenced an unnamed individual to two years in prison and a fine of 40,000 baht for violating Sections 65 and 126 of the Election of Members of Local Assemblies Act.
The court convicted this individual of bribing three candidates in the Kanchanaburi PAO election to support Mr. Surapong.
This person was apprehended in Nong Bua sub-district, Muang Kanchanaburi, Electoral District 5, where authorities confiscated three 500-baht notes he used for the bribery. Following his confession, his sentence was reduced to one year, and the fine was cut by half.
Currently, there are twelve active complaints filed against the ruling Pheu Thai Party or the prime minister, with Mr. Ruangkrai, a former senator, initiating at least three.
One complaint by Mr. Ruangkrai accuses Ms. Paetongtarn of dishonoring her civil service uniform by making a mini-heart gesture during a recent photo opportunity.
