Bangkok: Thammanat Phromphao has addressed concerns regarding the Election Commission's decision to remove two Kla Tham Party candidates, stating that the move will not hinder the party's campaign efforts.

According to Thai News Agency, Captain Thamanat Phromphao, who serves as the chairman of the advisory board of the Kla Tham Party, discussed the Supreme Court's recent order to disqualify Mr. Cholsit Kaewyarat from running in Constituency 2, Phuket. The disqualification was due to Mr. Cholsit's ownership of shares in a media company, a detail the party became aware of only after his registration. An investigation confirmed his 1% stake, prompting a prior warning from the party. Thamanat emphasized the importance of adhering to due process and accepting the investigation's findings.

In a separate case, Mr. Kongkiat Ketsombat, a candidate for Constituency 7, Nakhon Si Thammarat, was asked by the Election Commission to withdraw due to a previous conviction involving the theft of four trees, which resulted in a two-year suspended sentence. Thamanat described the situation as a historical misunderstanding with the opposing party and noted that the matter is currently pending a court decision. He reiterated that these cases are not instances of political persecution against the party.

Thamanat expressed confidence that the removal of candidates in these two constituencies will not significantly affect the Kla Tham Party's performance. With candidates fielded in over 300 constituencies, he believes the party's campaign remains robust and unaffected by these developments.