January 26, 2006
BANGKOK (AFP) - A Thai massage parlor king turned politician was kicked out of parliament Thursday, after the Constitutional Court ruled he had failed to comply with election law.
Chuwit Kamolvisit won a seat with the Chart Thai party in last year's general election, but the court ruled he had not been a member of the party for long enough to run for office.
The politician, who made a fortune peddling sleaze but reinvented himself as a champion against corruption, had started his own party but merged with Chart Thai shortly before the February 2005 polls.
The court ruled he had only been a Chart Thai member for one day before the election, not the 90 days required by law. The party must now name someone to replace him.
Chuwit, who had campaigned heavily to show his drive against corruption, said he had no regrets and declined to speculate on his political future.
"I have to study the Constitutional Court's ruling. But I shall return," he told reporters.
In the meantime, Chuwit said he plans to complete a masters degree in political science.