The election will be held on Jan 14, ECT Phuket announced through a notice posted publicly yesterday (Nov 29).
Of note, although the notice is signed by Rattana Laptanapong, Election Director of Kathu Municipality, Kathu Municipality itself has yet to announce the election date on its official website or official Facebook page.
The notice marks that the election is to be held in accordance with the Local Council Election Act. As such, the election for Kathu Mayor must be held within 60 days of Nov 21, 2023, the notice said.
Why the 60-day period was invoked on Nov 21 was not explained.
The notice did mark that the position of Kathu Mayor “became vacant” by order of the Governor of Phuket.
The position of Kathu Mayor became “vacant” after years-long incumbent Chai-anan Suthikul was summarily dismissed from office by previous Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew in late January this year.
Mr Chai-anan’s dismissal from office followed an investigation into allowing a private operator to pump water from a lagoon at the Tin Mine Museum in Kathu.
Local officials attempted to hold an election to install a new Kathu Mayor, on Mar 19, but the attempt to hold a mayoral election was suspended by court order.
Dechakorn Kaenmuang, Election Director at Kathu Municipality at the time, said, “The enforcement of Phuket Provincial Order No. 439/2560 dated January 20, 2023 and and Phuket Provincial Order No. 440/2560 dated January 20, 2023 have been temporarily rescinded, therefore resulting in the Phuket Provincial Orders temporarily ceasing to be in force pending the proceedings of the Phuket Administrative Court and the post of Mayor of Kathu is considered to not yet be vacant.”
Under the election notice issued by ECT Phuket, candidates can submit their applications to contest the election at Kathu Municipality from next Monday to Friday (Dec 4-8), between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Registration of candidacy requires evidence of Thai citizenship, house registration, a medical certificate, a photo of the candidates face and a fee of B4,000
Evidence of education of at least a bachelor’s degree. or equivalent, or evidence of having served as a local council member or local administrator or a member of parliament, is required, as is evidence of paying personal income tax for the past three years. Candidates who have not paid personal income tax for the past three years must provide a written statement explaining why.
Other necessary evidence such as an official change of name or surname, a birth certificate or change of registered residence, along with one copy, may be required.
Not noted in the election notice is that, in accordance with election law, there will be a 24 hour ban on the sale of alcohol in Tambon Kathu on the day of the election, Jan 14