Thailand’s Election Commission has announced a nationwide alcohol ban in Bangkok and Pattaya electoral areas during election hours on June 27–28, with penalties for violations under election law.

The case against former Culture Minister and former mayor of Pattaya City Ittipol Khunpluem will soon reach its statute of limitations, meaning that the charges against him will be dropped if he remains on the run until the end of office hours on Friday (September 8), a news source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.