The chair of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) has warned that councillors found guilty of serious ethical violations over alleged vote-card misuse could face removal from office, as the council begins reviewing complaints over the alleged misconduct.
Speaking on Tuesday, BMC chair Pattraporn Kengrungruengchai said she had received a petition from activist Srisuwan Janya alleging that councillors had used one another's voting cards.
The complaint stems from a July 31 council meeting at which Yannawa councillor Phattharasak Mai-Pranet admitted pressing both his own voting button and that assigned to fellow People's Party councillor Sairam Prakaikij, claiming a technical malfunction. Opposition councillors have disputed that explanation.
Ms Pattraporn said the council secretariat would first determine whether the petition complies with council regulations before forwarding it to the BMC for consideration. If accepted, the council would appoint a 13-member fact-finding committee drawn from councillors.
The committee would have 30 days to submit its findings. If it concludes the allegations have merit, or if Ms Pattraporn rejects a finding that they do not, the case will be referred to an ethics committee. The ethics committee will comprise the chairs of the council's special committees and a BMC deputy chair, who will lead the panel.
If the committee finds the violation is not serious, the case will end with a warning or reprimand. However, if it determines a serious ethical breach has occurred, it may recommend removal proceedings. Such a motion would require the support of at least half of all councillors before being put to a vote, and removal would require a two-thirds majority. Ms Pattraporn said she had not yet received complaints announced by the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties and was unsure how they would be submitted. She noted that the Democrats had said they filed a complaint with the Interior Ministry, which could delay its arrival at the council.
