Democrat Party Moves to Take Legal Action Against Bangkok City Council Member Over Proxy Voting
The Democrat Party holds a press conference accusing a People's Party Bangkok City Councillor of proxy voting, planning to file complaints with the NACC and the Interior Minister.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- The Democrat Party exposes a proxy voting incident involving a People's Party member in the Bangkok City Council.
- Legal complaints will be filed with the NACC, the Interior Minister, and Council leadership.
- Eyewitness accounts and electronic voting logs confirm the violation occurred during the session.
On August 3, 2026, at the Democrat Party headquarters, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, Spokesperson for the Democrat Party, joined by a team of Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) members including Mr. Napapol Jeerakul (Bangkok Noi), Ms. Nipaphan Chuenglertsiri (Pom Prap Sattru Phai), Mr. Phinit Kanchanachusak (Sampanthawong), Mr. Suchai Pongphianchob (Khlong Toei), and Mr. Anurak Lertwattana-paiboon (Wang Thonglang), held a press conference to highlight and object to a proxy voting incident committed by a People's Party councillor during a recent BMC meeting.
Mr. Pongsakorn stated that the incident actually took place and was admitted to by the offender, noting that despite subsequent conflicting statements on social media, the core issue remains an inappropriate action violating the "one person, one vote" principle, amounting to corrupt use of public power to maintain legislative numbers while absent. The party plans to pursue action across three fronts: filing a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) under Section 157 of the Criminal Code and Section 172 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption; submitting a letter to the Minister of Interior to invoke the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Organization Act to investigate ethical breaches; and signaling the Council President to clarify and execute proper disciplinary procedures.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
"This press conference is not political bullying or an attack, but a gesture of support for the Council President's own transparent council policy. Once the criminal code and facts are sufficiently clear and transparent, the question is whether the Council President is transparent enough to prosecute and punish this matter equally to eradicate corruption and establish a lawful standard for the BMC."
Mr. Napapol explained that the BMC's electronic voting system mirrors that of the House of Representatives, requiring personal ID cards for member verification.
- On the day of the incident, 41 members registered on screen, but only 40 members were physically present in the room.
- This indicated a card was left inserted, and when the vote was opened with a 3-color flashing light signal, 41 votes were recorded, proving one illegal proxy vote.
- Mr. Pattarasak Mainakhorn, a People's Party councillor for Yannawa, admitted in the meeting that he pressed the voting button for Mr. Sairam Prakaikij, a People's Party councillor for Sathorn, meaning he cast two votes.
Proxy voting incidents in legislative bodies, whether local councils like the BMC or national parliaments, severely undermine the principles of direct democracy and accountability. Every vote represents a constituent's voice, and unauthorized cast of votes by another member not only constitutes official misconduct under criminal law but also heavily damages the public trust in local legislative institutions.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nipaphan, an eyewitness, confirmed that she saw Mr. Pattarasak vote on his own terminal before reaching over to press Mr. Sairam's button. This discrepancy between the total votes and present members led to questioning, taking several minutes before vote records were disclosed, after which Mr. Pattarasak raised his hand to admit he pressed the wrong button. BMC records clearly maintain the chronological timestamps of the button presses.
Source: Khaosod Politics
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