ECT Orders Criminal Proceeding Against 1,767 Senate Candidates
for Lacking the Required Qualifications or Being Under Prohibitions
Pursuant to Section 74 of the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, B.E. 2561 (2018)

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The Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (OECT) announces that, following an examination of the information and supporting documents submitted by Senate candidates, certain candidates were found to lack the required qualifications or to be under prohibitions prescribed by law but nevertheless applied for selection. The matters were therefore submitted to the Election Commission for consideration and legal action.

At the Election Commission Meeting No. 46/2569, held on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, the Election Commission resolved to order criminal proceedings against 1,605 Senate candidates pursuant to Section 74 of the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, B.E. 2561 (2018). Subsequently, at the Meeting No. 51/2569, held on Thursday, 4 June 2026, the Election Commission resolved to order criminal proceedings against an additional 162 candidates, bringing the total to 1,767 candidates.

Section 74 of the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators, B.E. 2561 (2018) provides that any person who, knowing that he or she is not entitled to apply for selection for any reason, nevertheless applies for selection shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of 1 - 10 years and a fine of 20,000 - 200,000 Baht. The court shall also order the revocation of that person’s rights to vote for a term of 20 years.

In the case where the offender has been selected as a senator, the court shall also order that person to return to the Secretariat of the Senate the remuneration attached to the position and any other benefits received by virtue of holding such office.

Following the Election Commission’s resolutions to order criminal proceedings, the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand proceeded in accordance with the prescribed procedures by referring the matters to the Department of Legal Affairs and Lawsuits for relevant action before forwarding them to the respective Provincial Offices of the Election Commission of Thailand
for further action in accordance with the procedures and their powers and duties under the law.

Further information and details regarding election laws are available on the website of the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand at www.ect.go.th or contact the Election Commission Hotline at 1444.

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