May 25, 2023
BANGKOK – Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, who describes himself as an activist, submitted more documents to the Electoral Commission (EC) on Wednesday purported to support his claim that Avança Party leader Pita was ineligible to run – himself in the elections because he allegedly had shares in a media company. .
Ruangkrai also demanded that the Election Commission dissolve Move Forward and seven other political parties with which it is forming a coalition to form the next government.
On May 9, Ruangkrai filed a complaint with the EC, alleging that Pita held 42,000 shares in ITV Plc.
Pita dismissed the initial complaint as “nonsense.”
Ruangkrai previously said that Article 98 (3) of the Constitution prohibits owners or shareholders of media companies from standing in national elections.
Ruangkrai told reporters on Wednesday that he presented a list of ITV’s shareholders over the past 18 years along with its financial reports for the period.
Ruangkrai said the new documents clearly show that the TV station is indeed a media company.
Ruangkrai also said the eight political parties in the process of forming a governing coalition violated Article 38 of the Political Parties Law, which prohibits parties from allowing interference from outsiders.
The eight parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 22 to form a coalition government.
By signing the memorandum of understanding, each of the political parties allowed seven other parties to intervene, Ruangkrai alleged.
In addition, he said, he has examined Move Forward’s letter and found nothing in it that would entitle its leader to sign the May 22 MoU.
It is up to the EC to decide whether or not the eight political parties violated the Political Parties Act, Ruangkrai admitted.
As Ruangkrai spoke to EC reporters he was interrupted by Waranchai Chokechana, another self-proclaimed activist.
Waranchai Chokechana stood behind Ruangkrai and raised a banner in support of Pita and shouted phrases of support to the Move Forward leader.
Thai-language media reports often portray Ruangkrai and their grievances as entertainment.
