First candidate registers for Phuket PPAO by-election

Andaman Kreuphanich was the only candidate to register on the opening day of nominations for the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation by-election on June 22 and was assigned candidate number one.

The by-election is being held to fill a vacant seat on the PPAO council after former councillor Pongsakorn Panyawai resigned on June 8 to move to Bangkok to work for the Democrat Party.

Candidate registration remains open until June 26 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the PPAO office in Phuket Town.

Voting is scheduled for Sunday, Aug 2, with polling stations open from 8am to 5pm across Constituency 4.

PPAO Election Director Akkharawat Sirithanyathanakorn oversaw the opening of candidate registration, joined by the provincial election committee and Phuket Election Commission Director Orapin Achivasuk.

Election preparations are continuing under the supervision of the PPAO election committee chaired by Vice Governor Suwit Phansaengiam. Officials met on June 21 to review candidate qualification procedures, polling arrangements and designated campaign locations, and stressed that the election must be conducted transparently and in accordance with election laws.

An alcohol sales ban will be enforced across the constituency from 6pm on Aug 1 until 6pm on election day. Orapin said the ban applies only within PPAO Constituency 4, comprising Moo 5, 7, 8 and 9 of Thepkrasattri, Moo 4 and 6 of Srisoonthorn, and Moo 2, 3, 4 and 5 of Sakhu.

The ban covers the sale, distribution and serving of alcoholic beverages, with offenders liable to prosecution under election law.

Despite repeated requests from The Phuket News, election officials and Thalang Police had not provided a detailed map showing the exact boundaries of the constituency or the areas where the alcohol ban will apply.