Thailand's Supreme Court on Tuesday disqualified an appointed senator and banned him from politics for five years for failing to vote in a House by-election in 2009.

The disqualification of Prajit Rojanapruek was recommended by the Election Commission, which said in its petition that Prajit did not exercise his voting right in a House by-election in Pathum Thani's constituency 1 on Jan. 11, 2009 and did not explain to the authorities why he failed to vote.

Prasit was stripped of his senate seat and banned from active politics for five years.

The Senate of Thailand has 150 members -- 76 elected, one from each of the provinces, and 74 appointed from a selection process.