Bangkok Councilors Accused of Proxy Voting Face Prison Time
A Bangkok assembly member faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting he cast a proxy vote for an absent colleague during a July 31 council session, violating strict assembly rules against the practice.
On August 3, 2025, Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly officials Suthichai Veerakulsunthon from Jomthong district and Naphapol Jirakul from Bangkoknoi district questioned the case of Pattrasak Niempraneth, a Phaya Thai district assembly member from the People's Party, who allegedly cast a vote for absent colleague Sairam Prakaikit of Sathorn district during a July 31 council session on amended assembly procedural rules.
The vote count showed 42 votes with only 41 members physically present in the chamber. Pattrasak later admitted to casting the proxy vote. System checks revealed that Sairam's voting card remained inserted in the machine despite his absence, a procedure that should have been prevented by removing the card.
Suthichai stated the incident constitutes a serious violation that cannot be overlooked, as assembly rules strictly prohibit proxy voting. Each vote represents law-making that affects the public, and claims of machine malfunction or operator error are unacceptable. Officials must be notified to fix problems rather than having members vote for one another.
Naphapol noted the action violates Section 157, carrying sentences of 1-10 years imprisonment and potential lifetime loss of political rights. Both the person who cast the proxy vote and the absent member who consented bear responsibility. Sairam's failure to object or deny involvement after learning of the proxy vote constitutes complicity in concealing wrongdoing.
On August 5, the Democrat Party will file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission and notify the Interior Ministry, potentially triggering an investigation and removal proceedings. Historical precedent from parliamentary cases shows courts typically impose prison sentences without suspended sentences for proxy voting violations, considered a serious breach of public representation.
