Khun Thale Police Station has charged six people, including a former SAO head and health volunteer, with vote-buying for a prominent political party. Evidence seized includes a list of names and 70,000 baht in cash.
At 13:30 on 7 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the Surat Thani Election Commission's rapid response team visited the home of a former SAO head in Kanchanadit district, Election Zone 7, after receiving a tip-off about election violations a few days earlier. They found five men, including former SAO heads and village chiefs, and one woman who is a health volunteer, totaling six people. They were found with a list of names and 70,000 baht in cash. Initially, they denied the charges, so they were taken to Khun Thale Police Station.
Later, Pol. Col. Phonlat Nilnaowarat, Director of the Surat Thani Election Commission, together with Pol. Col. Sombat Chamsaeng, Deputy Chief of Surat Thani Provincial Police, interrogated the suspects. Evidence links to one candidate, and investigations are ongoing.
Recently, investigators at Khun Thale Police Station charged the suspects with violating Section 73(1) of the 2018 Election Act under the Constitution. This section prohibits candidates or anyone from doing anything to induce voters to vote for themselves, another candidate, or a party list, or to abstain or refrain from voting for any candidate or party list, including offering or preparing to offer any assets or benefits convertible to money.
Violators face imprisonment from one to ten years, fines from 20,000 to 200,000 baht, or both. Additionally, courts can revoke their voting rights for up to 20 years.