The Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket) confirmed the position through a formal notice posted today (May 14).
Under the “electoral process” published in the Royal Gazette on Monday (May 13), members of the public claiming to represent any one of 20 “civil groups of society” may apply for selection as a senator.
ECT Phuket today through a slew of notices announced the times and locations in Phuket for submitting applications for the selection process. Oddly, much of the official announcements by ECT Phuket used the word “elected”.
According to the official announcement, the timeline for the senatorial selection process is as follows:
May 11 - The Royal Decree on the Selection of Senators B.E. 2024 comes into effect
May 13 - Election Commission of Thailand announces application date and time. and selection days at the district, province, and country levels
May 14 - District Selection Director announces application locations
May 20-24 - Applications accepted to be elected [sic] as senators
May 29 - The last day for announcing the list of candidates elected [sic] to the Senate.
June 9 - District-level senator election day [sic]
June 16 - Provincial-level senator election day [sic]
June 26 - National senator election day [sic]
July 2024 - Announcement of Senate selection results (date not specified)
In Phuket, the provincial selection committee will comprise Governor Sophon (Chairman) along with:
- Suwit Suriyawong, Mueang Phuket District Chief
- Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum, Phuket Provincial Police Commander
- Wuttichai Bamrungrat, originally from Chiang Mai currently serving as Chief of the Phuket branch Department of Local Administration (DOLA)
- Wikrom Jaktee, Phuket Provincial Administrative Chief (Palad)
- Uthai Thabthong, chief of the Phuket branch of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA)
- Orapin Acheevasuk, Director of ECT Phuket
Applications for candidates in Phuket will be accepted May 20-24, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
Applications for candidates for Mueang Phuket District will be accepted on the second floor of the Kanchanaphisek Building at the Mueang Phuket District Office.
The Mueang Phuket district-level selection committee comprises: Mueang Phuket District Chief Mr Worasit Putjeeb (Chairman); Mrs Kanisorn Kaewthipnil; Mrs Monthira Jiwtan; Mrs Pornthip Bualuang; Mr Thaweesak Sawatdivej; Mr Prasert Thongsomboon; and Mr Wichet Suyanun.
In Kathu, applications for candidates will be accepted on the second floor of the Iyara Meeting Room at the Kathu District Office.
The Kathu district level committee comprises: Kathu District Chief Mr Theeraphong Chuaychu, Kathu Police Chief Pol Col Rungrit Ratanapakdee, Kathu District Public Health Chief Mr Peeraphong Cheeplek, Kathu District Learning Promotion Center Director Miss Kanokorn Maknakorn, Mr Somphet Musophon, Mr Preecha Sakdiwong and Thammarong Chuay-aksorn (the last three all listed as “experts”).
In Thalang, applications for candidates will be accepted at the meeting room on the second floor of the Thalang District Office.
The all-male district level committee comprises: Thalang District Chief Pairoj Srilamul (Chairman), Thalang Police Chief Pol Col Nikorn Chuthong, Sathaporn Wajasat, Somchai Jiamtua, Sombat Burirak, Siriphong Liprasit and Wisut Romin.