Ratchaburi: Anutin Charnvirakul has signed an order removing Songyot Aranyakanon from his position as mayor of Tha Pha Municipality, Ratchaburi Province, for violating the law by refusing to cease performing his duties after being indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Meanwhile, the Ratchaburi Election Commission is expediting the process of holding a new election.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order removing Mr. Songyot Aranyakanon from his position as Mayor of Tha Pha Municipality, Ban Pong District, Ratchaburi Province. This follows an investigation that found him to have violated legal provisions by failing to cease performing his duties after being indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and facing charges in the Region 7 Anti-Corruption Court. The Ministry of Interior order, dated May 29th, states that the Ratchaburi Provincial Governor appointed a committee to investigate the case after it was discovered that Mr. Songyot had been indicted by the NACC and charged. According to the law, he should have ceased performing his duties, but the investigation found that he continued to sign several official documents and continued to act as Mayor of Tha Pha Municipality even after the court had accepted the case.
The investigating committee concluded that the actions constituted a violation of the law, a failure to cease performing duties as legally required, and were considered conduct that violated public order under Section 73 of the Municipal Act B.E. 2496 (1953) and its amendments. Following the receipt of the investigation report, the Minister of Interior approved the committee's opinion and, exercising the authority under Section 73/1 of the Municipal Act B.E. 2496 (1953) and its amendments, ordered Mr. Songyot Aranyakanon to be removed from his position as Mayor of Tha Pha Municipality, effective May 29th onwards. This order covers both the terms of office elected on March 28th, 2021, and May 11th, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Ratchaburi Provincial Election Commission issued an urgent letter dated June 12th, instructing the Director of Elections for Tha Pha Municipality to prepare for the new mayoral election following the vacancy of the local administrator. The Ratchaburi Provincial Election Commission emphasized the need to report on the vacancy, assess the readiness of the municipal election committee, and prepare personnel, documents, and related procedures to ensure the election proceeds smoothly, transparently, and in accordance with the law. This is a crucial step following the vacancy of the Tha Pha mayor and will lead to the official setting of the election date for the new mayor. It is expected that the Election Commission will expedite the process within the legal timeframe to prevent a vacuum in the administration of Tha Pha Municipality.