The Election Commission (EC) unanimously resolved to refer the case of Senator Thanakorn, who was disqualified but still ran for Senate, to the court. They requested the court order him to return his salary and revoke his voting rights.
On 21 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the Election Commission Office revealed the EC meeting's resolution regarding Mr. Thanakorn Thavornchinchoti, elected as a Group 6 Senator, position 7. He is accused of running for Senate despite knowing he was ineligible due to a final judgment by the Pattaya Provincial Court, case number 10664/2011 (black case) and 10706/2011 (red case), dated 17 Dec 2011. He was convicted of operating as a gambling operator under the Gambling Act B.E. 2478 (1935) and its amendments, violating the law on Senate membership acquisition under the Constitution and related laws, specifically Section 74 in conjunction with Section 14(12) of the Senate membership law B.E. 2561 (2018).
The Election Commission meeting unanimously resolved to proceed as follows:
1. Refer the matter to the Constitutional Court for ruling under Section 63 of the Senate Membership Acquisition Act B.E. 2561.
2. File a petition with the Supreme Court to revoke Mr. Thanakorn Thavornchinchoti's rights to run for office or vote, as per Section 62 of the Senate Membership Acquisition Act B.E. 2561.
3. Pursue criminal proceedings and request the court to order Mr. Thanakorn Thavornchinchoti to return his salary and other benefits received from holding office to the Senate Secretariat, according to Section 74 paragraphs one and two of the Senate Membership Acquisition Act B.E. 2561 and Section 137 of the Penal Code.