Vachara revealed that the Surat Thani Election Commission decisively found potential vote-buying at the house of the chairman of the Bueng Khun Thale Elderly Club. A list of names was sent via LINE along with the message "Election Commission is here" to notify an Assistant MP, who promptly requested a court warrant to search the house for additional evidence, fearing vote-buying before the election day.
At 11:30 a.m. on 1 February 2026, Mr. Vachara Phetthong, candidate for Surat Thani MP, District 1, Democrat Party, disclosed that he was informed by a concerned citizen about election law violations reported to the Surat Thani Election Commission. Locals observed vote-buying at the home of Mrs. P., chairman of the Bueng Khun Thale Elderly Community Club, noting unusual comings and goings. Consequently, the Surat Thani Election Commission coordinated with police from Muang Surat Thani Police Station to visit a house in Soi Pho Khun Thale 20/1, Ban Makham Tia, Village 3, Khun Thale Subdistrict, Muang District, Surat Thani Province. Inside, three women appeared suspicious. Police invited them outside and requested to seize all their phones for examination, which the owners consented to. Upon inspection, handwritten lists of voters' names and images containing full names were found in a LINE group on the phones. Police asked the Election Commission staff to document this as evidence.
Further investigation uncovered a significant conversation in the LINE group with the message "Election Commission is here." When police asked why someone sent that message, a middle-aged woman replied, "I am an assistant MP..."
Police requested to search inside the house, but the homeowner refused. Therefore, the Surat Thani Election Commission arranged to obtain a search warrant from the Surat Thani Provincial Court to proceed lawfully. Currently, police and the Election Commission’s investigation team remain on-site awaiting the court order.
"Upon learning of the incident, I personally came to follow up and inquire, coordinating with the media to encourage local press to help monitor this case further with relevant state officials at both Muang Surat Thani Police Station and the Surat Thani Election Commission office. This matter shows signs of election law violations and appears to be an organized operation, which can be traced back to the candidates and their political parties. Moreover, today coincides with the announcement by the central Election Commission for citizens nationwide to cast early votes," Mr. Vachara stated.
