Phuket candidate in national election expelled by own party

The controversy centres on events over Dec 30–31, the final days of candidate registration.

The Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party announced on Dec 30 that Anandrak Petchhin had been dismissed from party membership, effective that date. Under election law, party membership is a key qualification for candidates contesting seats under a party banner.

Despite this, on the morning of Dec 31, Anandrak registered as a candidate for MP in Phuket Constituency 1 at Phuket Provincial Hall, declaring affiliation with the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party. He subsequently drew ballot number 8.

Earlier the same morning, the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party issued a clarification stating that Anandrak had already ceased to be a party member as of Dec 30 and therefore was not eligible to register as a candidate under the party’s name.

The party reiterated its position later that day via its official Facebook page, stating: “Attorney Anandrak Petchhin is no longer a member of the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party as of December 30, 2025, and therefore cannot register as a candidate for Member of Parliament in Phuket under the party’s banner.”

In response, Anandrak posted on social media that he was preparing legal action against the registrar of political parties, alleging his registration time had been falsified and that his name was secretly removed from party records after working hours.

“Preparing to sue the Registrar of Political Parties for falsifying registration times and secretly deleting my name from the registration list after working hours. #DefinitelyGoingToJail,” he wrote, adding that he had evidence ready to file a police complaint and invited those involved to meet him at Phuket City Police Station.

Of note, Anandrak’s Facebook page, with more than 50,000 followers, marks that he still Lives in Thung Song, in his home province of Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Anandrak has lived in Phuket for years, working for the Lawyers Council of Thailand.

The dispute unfolded on the final day of MP candidate registration, which closed at 4pm on Dec 31. The atmosphere at Phuket Provincial Hall was described as lively from early morning, with a final applicant arriving at about 8:30am, bringing the total number of candidates across Phuket’s three constituencies, still including Anandrak, to 21.

According to unofficial figures released on the day, there are eight candidates in Constituency 1, six in Constituency 2, and seven in Constituency 3.

Orapin Achivasuk, Director of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (PEC Phuket), said all applicants had passed the initial qualification screening.

She explained that following the close of registration, documents would be forwarded to relevant agencies for detailed verification of qualifications and disqualifications, with the official list of eligible candidates to be announced within seven days.

The final list of candidates posted before the New Year break was as follows:

Constituency 1 ‒ 8 candidates

1. Saran Sen (Pheu Thai Party)
2. Supachai Srisawat (Economic Party)
3. Somchat Techawanjaroen (People’s Party)
4. Ploythalay Laksmi Saengchan (Bhumjaithai Party)
5. Tiwat Sidokbuap (Kla Tham Party)
6. Bunchupha Tanthachai (Democrat Party)
7. Worapong Yuraman (Palang Pracharath Party)
8. Anandrak Phetthin (United Thai Nation Party)

Constituency 2 ‒ 6 candidates

1. Chonsit Kaewmarat (Kla Tham Party)
2. In Phetthin (Economic Party)
3. Chonlakorn Kim (Bhumjaithai Party)
4. Nutthaporn Phanichphicharong (Pheu Thai Party)
5. Somchat Somman (Democrat Party)
6. Chalermpong Saengdee (People’s Party)

Constituency 3 ‒ 7 candidates

1. Sakchai Chaowiwai (Pheu Thai Party)
2. Thritikant Thitiphrutikul (People’s Party)
3. Orathai Koedsap (Kla Tham Party)
4. Weerapat Jintaphon (Bhumjaithai Party)
5. Siriket Thuansakul (Democrat Party)
6. Dechawat Oonsorn (Economic Party)
7. Kasem Kanhimkan (Thai Pakdee Party)

Ms Orapin also urged voters to carefully consider their choices and encouraged eligible residents to turn out to vote on Saturday, Feb 8.

As of the release of the final list of candidates, PEC Phuket continues to list Anandrak Petchhin (United Thai Nation Party) among the eight contenders in Phuket Constituency 1, alongside candidates from Pheu Thai, the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai, Democrat, Palang Pracharath, Kla Tham and the Economic Party.

Under election law, a nationwide ban on the sale of alcohol will be enforced from 6pm on Feb 7 until 6pm on Feb 8 in line with polling day regulations.