Supreme Court Revokes Rights of Candidate Kong Kiat, Kla Tham Party, Due to Previous Theft Conviction

On February 5, 2024, the Supreme Court's Election Division issued a ruling in case number ลต.สขข. 16/2569 regarding the Election Commission's removal of Kong Kiat Ketesombat from the candidate list for Nakhon Si Thammarat's 7th electoral district of the Kla Tham Party. The decision stems from Kong Kiat's previous criminal conviction for theft in case number 3673/2542 from Surat Thani Provincial Court, which makes him ineligible under Thailand's Constitutional provisions and election laws. The case originated from a complaint by Somkid Wan-lua, a voter who challenged Kong Kiat's candidacy based on his criminal record. Kong Kiat argued that there were inconsistencies in his criminal record documentation, but the Supreme Court ultimately upheld the original decision to disqualify him from running in the election.