A member of the Songkhla Provincial Administration Organisation has been sentenced to two years and six days in prison without suspension for his role in the assault on a policeman who told him not to take photos at a polling station last year.
The Criminal Court convicted Siridanai ‘Golf’ Plaiduang and eight co-defendants of criminal association and ordering or committing assault on a person with weapons, according to media reports on Tuesday.
The offence occurred on May 11, 2025 during voting for a municipal mayor and councillors at a polling unit in village 2 of tambon Phawong in Muang district of the southern province.
Mr Siridanai, 29, was there to vote and told one of his associates to take a photo of him putting his ballot paper into the box. This is against voting rules.
Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nisathit Kongthep, who was on duty at the polling station, warned them that the photograph was not allowed.
Mr Siridanai became angry and asked him, ‘Do you know who I am?’, before returning at the station with more of his henchmen, who were ordered to beat the policeman.
The assault took place in full view of local residents casting their votes, and the policeman required hospital treatment. The Songkhla Provincial Court approved arrest warrants for the group the next day.
The case also raised questions among the public about whether local political bosses still wielded significant influence over law enforcers.
Mr Siridanai, 29, also referred to as ‘Sor Jor Golf’ and known as a new-generation politician, is the son of prominent local politician Somyot Plaiduang, the Bhumjaithai Party MP for Songkhla Constituency 3.
Five of the defendants in the case were sentenced to two years in prison, while Mr Siridanai was given another six days for not complying with an order of an official.
Three others received longer sentences, two years and eight months, as they were repeat offenders, according to the court.
In May last year, cyber police also found Mr Siridanai was linked to a gambling website as an alleged beneficiary.