The Secretary of Kalasin Provincial Administrative Organization clarified that the overseas leave requests of three provincial councilors—"Councilor Ney," "Councilor Nu," and "Councilor Piao"—have not been approved by the governor. Therefore, any travel abroad would violate the Ministry of Interior regulations. Regarding the case where "Councilor Ney" and "Councilor Piao" might become suspects in gambling and money laundering websites, the council has the right to consider disqualifications which could lead to a resolution for removal from office.
In the case where the Minister of Justice and the Cyber Police issued an arrest warrant for “Councilor Ney,” Mr. Pathanun Chandorn, a provincial councilor from Khong Chai District, Kalasin Province, and his wife, who were identified as involved with online gambling and money laundering, earlier reports indicated that "Councilor Ney" and his wife fled abroad via Laos. Meanwhile, there are reports that two other councilors, "Councilor Nu," Mr. Charoen Chandorn, a provincial councilor from Mueang Kalasin District, Zone 2 (and father of "Councilor Ney"), and "Councilor Piao," Mr. Pathompong Phutao-ngern, a provincial councilor from Yang Talat District, Zone 4, also submitted leave requests to travel abroad.
Regarding this matter, on 28 January 2026 at the Kalasin Provincial Administrative Organization, reporters met with Mr. Sunan Kotawinnat, Secretary of the Kalasin Provincial Administrative Organization, to inquire about the facts concerning the overseas leave requests of "Councilor Ney," "Councilor Nu," and "Councilor Piao." He stated that their overseas leave has not been approved by the provincial governor. Therefore, if it is found that they have traveled abroad, it would be considered a violation of Ministry of Interior regulations.
Mr. Sunan Kotawinnat, Secretary of the Kalasin Provincial Administrative Organization, said that the leave requests for overseas travel by the three councilors were submitted in two batches. The first batch included "Councilor Ney," Mr. Pathanun Chandorn, from Khong Chai District, and "Councilor Nu," Mr. Charoen Chandorn, from Mueang Kalasin District, Zone 2, who submitted their leave requests on 22 January 2026. The requests were for leave to travel abroad from 1 February to 28 February.
Meanwhile, "Councilor Piao," Mr. Pathompong Phutao-ngern, a provincial councilor from Yang Talat District, Zone 4, submitted his leave request on 23 January 2026, also seeking permission to travel abroad from 1 February to 28 February 2026. However, after submitting the leave forms, they were not permitted to travel abroad because, according to Ministry of Interior regulations on leave for local administrators, their assistants, and local council members (B.E. 2547/2004, Section 5, Article 14), any local administrator, assistant, or council member wishing to travel abroad must obtain approval from the provincial governor as deemed appropriate.
"Since the Ministry of Interior regulations set the principle, the authority to approve overseas leave for provincial council members depends on the provincial governor's consideration. Documentation must be submitted at least seven days in advance to allow the governor to review. It was found that all three councilors submitted documents in accordance with travel regulations for leave effective 1 February 2026. However, the governor of Kalasin Province has not yet approved the overseas leave as it is still under review. The governor requires the three councilors to provide complete reasons for their leave. As the secretary, I have informed all three to submit further explanations, but none have come forward to clarify so far," Mr. Sunan said.
"Therefore, the governor of Kalasin Province has not approved the overseas travel documents. If it is found that the three councilors have traveled abroad, it will be considered a violation of the Ministry of Interior's regulations regarding overseas leave."
"Regarding the case where ‘Councilor Ney’ and ‘Councilor Piao’ might become suspects in online gambling and money laundering, under the Provincial Administrative Organization Act B.E. 2540 (1997), as amended by the fifth amendment in B.E. 2562 (2019), Section 11 sets forth grounds for termination of provincial council membership. This includes disqualifications or prohibitive characteristics, and if a member behaves in a way that brings disgrace or causes unrest to the provincial administrative organization, or acts to the detriment of the council’s interests, at least one-third of the council members may propose a resolution for removal from office," Mr. Sunan concluded.