Official under Election Commission accused of accepting bribe
Bribery Scandal Hits Thailand's Election Commission
It's no secret that Thailand's Election Commission (EC) is in the hot seat, thanks to a juicy bribery scandal that's been brewing since March last year. The culprit? None other than commissioner Thitichet Nuchanat, whose dirty deeds have left many questioning the integrity of the EC.
According to a police report from the infamous Office of the Auditor General, Thitichet and an official from the State Audit Office attempted to bribe the then head of the office, but they got a big fat rejection instead. The audit official involved in the sketchy deal was soon investigated and given the boot, but he's not going down without a fight—he's claiming manipulation and plans to appeal his dismissal.
EC chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong hasn't overlooked the situation entirely. He acknowledged the accusations and even received a petition from a group of senators to delve deeper into the case. But here's where things get a bit tricky—he turned down their request to form a special committee, citing existing investigation mechanisms and the need to maintain neutrality. Some senators, like Senator Kamrob Panyakaew, believe the EC needs to step up and investigate the case to enhance its credibility for future election-related matters.
So, where does this leave us? The case has been transferred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action, as the alleged offense took place while Thitichet was in office. But, as of May 2025, the NACC's findings or next steps remain under wraps.
Stay tuned for more twists and turns in this juicy scandal, folks. The drama's just getting started!
- The alleged bribery offense involving commissioner Thitichet Nuchanet at Thailand's Election Commission has raised concerns about the commission's policy-and-legislation and politics, and questions about its credibility.
- The commissioner's refusal to form a special committee to investigate the bribery scandal, as requested by senators, has led some senators, such as Senator Kamrob Panyakaew, to call for the EC to take stronger action in crime-and-justice matters to regain public trust.
- The case is now with the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation, but as of May 2025, the commission's findings and next steps remain confidential.
- As the bribery scandal unfolds, the general news media has been reporting on the ongoing developments in Thailand's Commission, keeping the public informed of the latest twists and turns in the investigation.
