The ruling was issued on Wednesday (Jan 21). The court found that Mr Cholsit possessed prohibited characteristics under the Constitution, which bars individuals who hold media shares from standing for election as constituency MPs.
Mr Cholsit had been registered as candidate number 1 on the ballot for Phuket Constituency 2.
In a Facebook post, Mr Cholsit said the decision was made in accordance with constitutional provisions governing candidate qualifications and that he respected the court’s ruling.
“I, Cholsit Kaewyarat, candidate for Member of Parliament for Phuket Constituency 2, sincerely apologise to the people of Phuket for being removed from the list of candidates due to a lack of qualifications related to holding media shares,” he said.
“This is a shortcoming that I must accept, and I respect the court’s decision under the rules,” he added.
Mr Cholsit thanked his supporters for their encouragement and said he would continue to contribute to society despite no longer being able to contest the election.
“Even though I cannot continue in the election, I remain committed to working for Phuket society and standing alongside the people,” he said.
A later statement from a family member confirmed that the disqualification stemmed from Mr Cholsit unintentionally retaining a single share in a radio media company dating back to 2012.
Phuket Election Commission (ECT Phuket) Chief Orapin Achivasuk confirmed that Mr Cholsit was officially removed from the constituency candidate list on Thursday (Jan 22) following the Supreme Court ruling.
Phuket constituency candidates (eligible to contest):
Constituency 1
- Somchart Techathaworncharoen (People’s Party)
- Supachai Srisawat (Economic Party)
- Thiwat Sidokbuab (Kla Tham Party)
- Soranan Saneh (Pheu Thai)
- Boonsupha Tandhai (Democrat Party)
- Ploytalay Laksmisangchan (Bhumjaithai Party)
Constituency 2
- Chalermpong Saengdee (People’s Party)
- In Phetchin (Setthakit Party)
- Sanakorn Kisin (Bhumjaithai Party)
- Somchart Somnam (Democrat Party)
- Natthaporn Phanitphichetwong (Pheu Thai)
Constituency 3
- Sakchai Chaowai (Pheu Thai)
- Thitikan Thitiphrutikul (People’s Party)
- Pol Sgt Dechawat Ounsorn (Setthakit Party)
- Wiwat Jindapol (Bhumjaithai Party)
- Orathai Kertsap (Kla Tham Party)
- Sirikes Chua Sakul (Democrat Party)
- Kasem Karimkar (Thaipakdee Party)
Mr Cholsit is the second Phuket candidate to be disqualified from contesting the election after the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (‘United Thai Nation Party’) has confirmed the expulsion of lawyer Anandrak Petchhin from party membership, rendering his candidate registration invalid.
The general election will be held on Sunday, Feb 8, with advance voting scheduled for Sunday, Feb 1.