The Democrat Party is confronting the Bangkok Council President over the investigation of proxy voting by councilors, citing precedent cases involving MPs. They emphasize the need for transparency and reveal plans to take legal action against the council president for interfering in work orders on the Bang Sue district park renovation, considering filing a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission under Section 157.
At 10:00 a.m. on 13 Nov 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, along with members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) from the Democrat Party, held a press conference urging Ms. Phattharaporn Kengrungrueangchai, President of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, to expedite transparency policies within the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, especially regarding proxy voting. He stated that a disciplinary committee has been established to investigate and hold councilors accountable. He urged the Council President to conduct the investigation transparently and not deceive the public, noting that video footage of the incidents exists contrary to the president's claim of not seeing such footage. For transparency, the disciplinary committee's review must be open, transparent, and verifiable.
He added that if violations are found, penalties such as warnings or removal should be applied. A mere warning is inadequate because proxy voting is a criminal offense, with precedent set in MP cases. Therefore, the same standards must apply, and misconduct should not be concealed; otherwise, the declared transparency policy of the Bangkok Council is meaningless.
Meanwhile, Mr. Napapol Jeerakul, Bangkok Noi district councilor from the Democrat Party, said the disciplinary committee comprises the chairpersons of 13 ordinary committees of the Bangkok Council. However, the majority are affiliated with the People’s Party and allied groups. He called for the disciplinary meetings to be open, broadcast live, and based on factual evidence of wrongdoing. As the complainant, he has provided information to the fact-finding committee and has seen the video footage in the Council’s meeting room showing clear instances of proxy voting. This footage has never been released to the media despite his requests, with the committee saying permission from the Council President is required. He urged the media to formally request the Council President to review and disclose the footage.
At the same time, Mr. Napapol, as chairman of the Public Works and City Planning Committee of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, also stated that the Public Works Committee and the Governance and Order Committee, chaired by Mr. Pinit Kanjanachusak, Samphanthawong district councilor from the Democrat Party, have received complaints from a private company contracted to renovate Chotiwat Park in Bang Sue district. The complaints allege that Ms. Phattharaporn, the Council President and Bang Sue district councilor, interfered with the Bang Sue district office’s work and the BMA budget by issuing orders to alter renovation details after the company had completed over ten reports. Initial findings show the requested changes do not align with the TOR agreed upon by the district office and the contractor.
“Although this matter has been resolved—Bang Sue district office did not comply with the Council President’s orders and paid the contractor according to the contract because the company filed a lawsuit with the administrative court—the fact remains that Ms. Phattharaporn’s misconduct is established. I plan to send a letter to the Council President to investigate her own ethics, though the outcome is uncertain because it may result in her suspension. If this approach fails, I may file a complaint with the oversight agency to prosecute her for misconduct under Section 157 with the National Anti-Corruption Commission,” he said.
Mr. Nipit added that the Governance Committee has already investigated the matter by inviting the contractor to provide explanations and plans to summon Ms. Phattharaporn for further clarification. They intend to request the Bangkok Council Affairs Committee to establish an investigation committee to examine the Council President separately.
