The rival Pheu Thai and Democrat parties are gearing for a major by-election battle in Bangkok's Don Muang district following the disqualification of sitting Pheu Thai MP Karun Hosakul by the Supreme Court on Thursday.
Karun Hosakul addresses a campaign rally in the build up to the general election in July 2011, when he won Bangkok's constituency 12, defeating his major challenger from the Democrat Party. (File photo by Apichit Jinakul)
Pheu Thai leader Charupong Ruangsuwan said the ruling government party would seek a well qualified candidate to run in the by-election to be announced by the Election Commission after Mr Karun is given his final marching orders by parliament.
Mr Charupong said a meeting of executive members of the party will be called soon to decide on a suitable contender to retain the seat in constituency 12.
He was speaking after the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division disqualified the Pheu Thai MP and ordered the EC to hold a by-election in Bangkok's constituency 12 to replace him.
Taenkhun Jitt-itsara (File Photo by Kosol Nakachol)
The court also imposed a five-year electoral rights ban on Mr Karun.
On June 20, 2012 the EC decided by a majority to red-card Mr Karun after finding him guilty of making false accusations that defamed rival candidate Taenkhun Jitt-itsara and the Democrats at campaign rallies in Boon-Anant market in the Don Muang area on June 3, 2011 and Kosum Ruamjai market on June 12, 2011 during the lead-up to the July 2, 2011 general election.
The false accusations could have misled people into not voting for Mr Taenkhun in violation of section 57 of the law on the election of MPs and senators, the EC concluded.
The EC submitted its finding and recommendation to the Supreme Court's Election Cases Division on July 15, 2012, seeking a final order.
The court's ruling will be sent to the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister's Office and the EC for formal acknowledgement.
The Democrat Party plans a meeting on Monday to discuss possible candidates, with Mr Taenkhun the front runner for a second shot at the seat.
Democrat deputy leader Korn Chatikavanij openly backed Mr Taenkhun for the poll, but said the decision would be made by party executives after names are forwarded to them.
Mr Korn, who is a member of candidate selection committee, conceded that it would be an uphill battle to unseat Pheu Thai in constituency 12.
"The party did not win in Don Muang in the Bangkok governor election,'' he added.
Democrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra won the election for Bangkok governor in March, but most voters in Don Muang backed Pheu Thai representative Pongsapat Pongcharoen. Pol Gen Pongsapat won about 40,000 votes while MR Sukhumbhand could manage only 28,000 supporters in the district.
In the general election in July 2011, Mr Karun saw off Mr Taenkhun by about 7,000 votes.
The Democrat deputy leader said he thought Mr Taenkhun deserved another chance. Bangkok voters had already chosen MR Sukhumbhand, a Democrat, for a second term as city governor, he pointed out.