Bangkok: The Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Local Administration Act, focusing on the qualifications and disqualifications for village headmen. Mr. Karom Polpornklang, Deputy Government Spokesperson, announced the approval of the draft amendment proposed by the Ministry of Interior. This amendment targets Section 12 (11) of the Local Administration Act B.E. 2457, which was previously modified by the Local Administration Act (No. 10) B.E. 2542.
According to Thai News Agency, the amendment stems from a Constitutional Court ruling, which found that Section 12 (11) of the Local Administration Act B.E. 2567, as modified by the Local Administration Act (No. 10) B.E. 2542, unjustly increased burdens and restricted individual rights. The court deemed it disproportionate and conflicting with Section 26 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. The contentious section involved offenses related to forestry, narcotics, and election laws without specifying types or severity, thereby affecting those eligible for election as village headmen.
The Ministry of Interior proposed the draft amendment, which has already received principle approval from the Cabinet and has been reviewed by the Office of the Council of State. The amendment specifies that individuals elected as village headmen must not have been convicted by a final judgment of offenses under laws listed in the Act's attached List A and List B. These lists include laws related to narcotics, elections, forests, national forest reserves, and firearms. Additionally, candidates must not have been convicted within a 10-year period following their release from prison or suspension of punishment. After this period, they may qualify to be elected as village headmen.