Villager Turns in 500 Baht Election Bribe Money to Election Commission After Wife's Scolding

On February 19, a 43-year-old villager named Suea from Don Hai Sok Subdistrict traveled to the Udon Thani Election Commission office to return 500 baht in alleged campaign bribes. He received the money from a parliamentary candidate's campaign worker to distribute in his local area before the February 8 election. After his wife scolded him about the illegality of the money, telling him he could go to jail, Suea borrowed 500 baht from her to return to the Election Commission. The investigation team accepted the money and will use Suea as a witness. Local political activist Phanumast Jitrawasinakul explained that while distributing or receiving election bribes is illegal, individuals who voluntarily return the money and provide testimony can avoid prosecution.