Election Court Hears Challenge Against Two Senators' Occupational Classification
Thailand's Supreme Court Election Division is hearing a challenge against two senator candidates from Amnat Charoen accused of registering under the wrong occupational group. The plaintiffs allege the candidates' actual jobs — pork and noodle vendors — belong to a different category than the one they used to qualify. Witness examinations are set for late November and early December, with a ruling expected by year-end.
On November 6, 2026, at the Supreme Court on Ratchadamnoen Road, the Election Division held its second evidence examination session in Case No. Black Sor Sor 10/2026. Reserve senator Akkarawong Phongthanachalitkul filed a petition under Section 44 of the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators B.E. 2018, challenging the candidacies of two applicants from Amnat Charoen: Ms. Daeng Kongma and Mr. Sompong Phalasuk, who listed their occupations as fresh pork vendor and noodle vendor respectively.
The plaintiff argues these occupations fall under Group 19 (independent/freelance or sales) but were certified as Group 10 (other business operators), and seeks revocation of the related Election Commission (EC) rulings.
After the evidence review, Mr. Akkarawong stated he has long fought to resolve public doubts about senator selection, bringing the matter to the Supreme Court. Today's session addressed the qualifications of Ms. Daeng and Mr. Sompong, previously postponed once for additional opposition filings.
The defense submitted a motion seeking postponement, questioning the plaintiff's standing and whether the EC's withdrawn ruling could be revived. The court found the plaintiff not yet ready to respond and no timeline indicated, so it dismissed the EC's ruling from the case.
Mr. Akkarawong said they aim to present all facts and evidence — 11 witnesses total, with four personal witnesses and various document witnesses already permitted — to prove what he called a 'major fraud' damaging the nation. He warned that without swift judicial process, the impact could spread to other institutions, citing the EC's 5-2 vote to petition the Constitutional Court to overturn the Supreme Court's decision — an unprecedented move.
He emphasized the necessity of public transparency: the country has a judicial process where disputes must ultimately end at the Supreme Court. The court aims to expedite proceedings, scheduling plaintiff witnesses for November 24 and defense witnesses for December 8, rejecting the EC's attempt to delay until January 2027.
Former EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn commented on the EC's Constitutional Court petition challenging the Supreme Court's jurisdiction. He noted the Constitutional Court's role under Article 120(2) covers five bodies — House, Senate, Ministers, Cabinet, and independent organizations — but not courts. He believes the Constitutional Court is unlikely to accept the petition.
Regarding today's case, the witness list includes plaintiff's personal witnesses...
