The Election Commission (EC) plans to take legal action against a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP after it was found that he was previously convicted of theft.

Thai PBS reported that MFP MP Nakornchai Khunnarong has announced his resignation as MP to demonstrate his responsibility in relation to his conviction for theft in 1999.

On 29 July 2023, EC Chair Ittiporn Boonprakong stated that if a candidate runs for MP despite knowing that they are ineligible, they may be subject to criminal penalties under Section 151 of the Election Law.

Ittiporn added that they may be held responsible for the expenses incurred in conducting a by-election, according to Section 420 of the Civil and Commercial Code.

Ittiporn mentioned that the MP has announced on Facebook that he will resign next week. It is expected that he will submit a formal resignation letter, which will be effective immediately. The EC has already acknowledged the case.

Nakornchai explained that the incident took place in October 1999 when he was 20 years old.

He was partying with friends and noticed a wristwatch placed on a table. He picked it up and asked to find its owner. The police came to the scene. His friend confessed to stealing the wristwatch but he denied it. He was taken into custody and given a confession to sign .

Nakornchai was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. He believes that the crime for which he was convicted did not constitute an offence as stipulated in the Election Law and did not disqualify him as an MP.

Public attention was drawn to the case when it was disclosed by Sereepisuth Temeeyaves, leader of the Thai Liberal Party, one of the eight parties in the MFP-led coalition.

The EC office in Rayong Province stated that they had already sent information on Nakornchai’s conviction to the central EC office for verification at the beginning of July. A complaint against him was filed during MP candidate registration, but at the time, the only evidence was a police case number, so the EC office in Rayong had to declare Nakornchai eligible.

Meanwhile, Nattawut Buaprathum, MFP deputy leader and also head of the party's legal team, has asked Nakornchai for an explanation. He has received some documents and is aware that this case occurred a long time ago. He acknowledged that not all the relevant information has been found, and the Party will make an announcement when it has.