Registration for candidates opened on Monday last week (Oct 11) and drew to a close at 5pm on Friday (Oct 15). A total of 104 candidates registered to contest the elections as councillors.
Phuket is home to six* subdistricts that are administered by OrBorTor: Koh Kaew, Thepkrasattri, Kamala, Cherng Talay, Mai Khao and Sakhu.
Of note, the Cherng Talay area has an OrBorTor and a municipality. Cherng Talay OrBorTor, which has been headed by MaAnn Samran since the military coup of 2014, oversees the beach areas, while Cherng Talay Municipality, led by Mayor Suniran Rachatapruek, oversees the inland areas of Cherng Talay.
In accordance with election law, all previously serving OrBorTor chiefs and councillors are no longer in office, pending the outcome of the election.
Mr MaAnn has not registered to run for re-election, but was present on the opening day of registration in Cherng Talay to congratulate other candidates running for election and to wish them the best of luck.
With elections currently tentatively set for Nov 28, under election law a ban on the sale of alcohol will be in effect in the five OrBorTor areas from 6pm the night before the election day through to 6pm the night of the election.
The penalty for breach of the alcohol ban is a fine up to B10,000 or up to six months in prison, or both.
* CORRECTION: There are six OrBorTor in Phuket, not five, The error is regretted.