Lampang Soldier Accidentally Tears Election Ballot, Claims No Intention to Damage

On February 8th, 2567, the Lampang Public Relations Office reported a minor incident at Polling Unit 14 in Electoral District 1, where retired Lieutenant Boon Yao, 65, tore his election ballot in front of polling station officials. Following the incident, Thong Net Doojai, the provincial election director, immediately went to the Hang Chat Police Station to meet with investigators. The perpetrator claimed he did not intentionally damage the ballot, but had accidentally torn it while handling the paper too forcefully. Station officials secured the torn ballot as evidence and reported the incident to provincial authorities. Election law strictly prohibits intentionally damaging ballots, with potential penalties including up to 5 years imprisonment, 100,000 baht fine, and a 10-year voting rights suspension.