The election, held within the mandatory 60-day period following a local administrator’s resignation, will decide the direction of Sakhu’s administration for the next four years.
The Phuket office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT Phuket) has reminded candidates and voters to comply strictly with election laws and ensure transparency.
Under Section 65 of the Local Council Members or Local Executives Election Act B.E. 2562 (2019), candidates and their teams are barred from offering money, gifts, or benefits to individuals, communities, temples or organisations. Campaigning through entertainment or intimidation is also prohibited.
Under election law, alcohol sales and distribution in Tambon Sakhu are prohibited from 6pm tonight (Oct 25) to 6pm tomorrow (Oct 26).
Pol Lt Col Wisanu Chalok, Deputy Chief at Sakhu Police, confirmed that “the ban applies to all bars, restaurants and retail outlets such as minimarts and 7-Eleven stores within the election area.”
“However, alcohol sales inside hotels and at Phuket International Airport are permitted,” he said.
Of note, Section 123 of the Election Act (2019) mandates a ban on the sale of alcohol within the area where an election is being held, but does not list any exemptions.
Tambon Sakhu comprises five ‘moo baan’ (‘housing village’) ‒ Baan Nai Yang, Baan Trok Muang, Baan Sakhu, Baan Nai Thon and Baan Bang Ma Lao.
In general, the area covers from Route 4031, which parallels the runway at Phuket International Airport, all the way to Thepkrasattri Rd, and as far south as Soi Bang Ma-lao at the southern end of Nai Thon Beach.
Two candidates are contesting the position of Sakhu OrBorTor Chief.
Ekaphon Phang-nga of the Sakhu Power Party, running under the slogan ‘The Power of Change’, has drawn No.1 on the ballot. He is promoting reform across four key areas: economy, society, education and youth engagement.
Mayor Trin ‘Noi’ Panyawai of Love Sakhu Party, defending his record under the slogan ‘The real deal, proven winner’. Mr Trin is running for re-election under his support for community projects such as boat taxi services, career support and sustainable development projects.
Mr Trin’s resignation, and immediate run for re-election, comes as he faces controversial accusations that he resigned only in order to avoid having to publicly disclose his income and assets in a standard declaration, as is required by all public office holders when they start their term in office, and when they conclude their term.
The allegations come amid a broader trend of early resignations by local executives seeking to avoid restrictions under Thailand’s expanded 180-day rule.
The law, under Section 61 of the 2019 Election Act, now bans campaign spending and project approvals for 180 days before a term’s end ‒ three times longer than the previous 60 days.
Many administrators have stepped down early to sidestep the rule’s strict spending limits and complex reporting requirements.
Mr Trin came under scrutiny two years ago, in 2023, during his most recent term in office, when Thalang District Chief Bancha Thanuin ordered an investigation into 49 unlicensed buildings near Phuket International Airport ‒ 15 within Sakhu OrBorTor’s area of responsibility.
Mr Trin said the land in question belongs to the Royal Forest Department, which authorised the Royal Thai Navy to oversee the area, leaving the OrBorTor responsible only for building control.
“The direct authority isn’t ours. It’s the Forest Department’s responsibility to proceed. We must first submit a request to both the Forest Department and the Navy, because this is not our area,” Mr Trin said at the time.