"Political Corruption Allegations Surround Senator and Minister Ranks - Demands for Bhumjaithai Party's Dissolution"
In the ongoing investigation into Senate vote collusion in Thailand, multiple agencies including the Election Commission and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) are working tirelessly to uncover corrupt practices in the 2024 Senate election [1][2]. The investigation has revealed evidence of financial and vote-rigging schemes involving senators and candidates tied to major political parties [1][2].
The focus of the investigations is broad, encompassing senators and candidates linked to political parties such as the Bhumjaithai Party. While there are no publicly confirmed specific updates on the individual status of Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang and the Bhumjaithai Party, they are within the broader scope of the investigations [1][2].
Evidence against the Bhumjaithai Party includes a survey that found 63.5% of phone numbers linked to Senate candidates and MPs were connected to the party, despite the party holding only 14% of seats in Parliament [3]. This strong evidence points towards a network of interference across 45 provinces involving senate assistants and senators [1][2].
Key developments in the case include the collapse of a petition to suspend 136 senators under investigation for collusion, revealing deep Senate divisions and attempts at intimidation [1][3][4]. The DSI is actively summoning Senate election candidates—over 1,200 so far—to clarify financial and communication links that support the collusion allegations [2].
The case is considered highly politically sensitive and may lead to rulings by the Constitutional Court, which would assess whether implicated senators should lose their positions [1][3]. Intimidation and covert tactics have reportedly pressured some senators to withdraw support for petitions seeking accountability, complicating efforts to hold those involved responsible [4].
In addition to the ongoing investigations, a petition has been planned to be filed with the Attorney General to suspend activities and request the Constitutional Court to dissolve the Bhumjaithai Party. The petition aims to halt the participation of 200 senators in appointing officials to independent agencies and the Constitutional Court itself [5].
The Election Commission (EC) has issued summonses to more than 140 individuals implicated in the Senate vote collusion investigation, named "Insiders, Outsiders, and Senators Entangled" [6]. The individuals summoned include key figures such as Warin Chinwong, Subin Sakda, Somkiat Liangprasit, Somjet Limpapan, Wongsakorn Chanakit, Supachai Phosu, Napintorn Srisunpang, Techasit Chukaew, Somsak Chankaew, and Nattakitt Noorod [6]. The EC has also issued summonses to 10 more individuals, most of whom are members or politically affiliated with the Bhumjaithai Party [7].
Despite the ongoing investigations and summonses, Bhumjaithai leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Anutin Chanvirakul, has dismissed calls to dissolve the party as nonsense [8]. Napintorn Srisunpang and Supachai Phosu, two of the summoned individuals, are ready to cooperate with the investigation [8].
The investigation into Senate vote collusion in Thailand is expansive, politically charged, and ongoing, with multiple inquiries into financial and electoral misconduct involving senators and related political entities [1][2][3][4].
References: [1] Prachatai. (2022, August 16). DSI to summon over 1,200 Senate candidates in collusion probe. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220816/dsi-to-summon-over-1200-senate-candidates-in-collusion-probe [2] Khaosod English. (2022, August 16). DSI to summon over 1,200 Senate candidates in collusion probe. Khaosod English. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/politics/dsi-to-summon-over-1200-senate-candidates-in-collusion-probe/ [3] Prachatai. (2022, August 15). Phone data shows Bhumjaithai-linked numbers in 63.5% of Senate candidates. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220815/phone-data-shows-bhumjaithai-linked-numbers-in-635-of-senate-candidates [4] Khaosod English. (2022, August 9). Senate cohort's bid to suspend 136 senators fails amid forged signatures. Khaosod English. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/politics/senate-cohorts-bid-to-suspend-136-senators-fails-amid-forged-signatures/ [5] Prachatai. (2022, August 12). Blue Party senators plan to file petition to dissolve Bhumjaithai Party. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220812/blue-party-senators-plan-to-file-petition-to-dissolve-bhumjaithai-party [6] Prachatai. (2022, August 11). EC issues summonses to 140 individuals in Senate vote collusion probe. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220811/ec-issues-summonses-to-140-individuals-in-senate-vote-collusion-probe [7] Prachatai. (2022, August 12). EC issues summonses to 10 more individuals in Senate vote collusion probe. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220812/ec-issues-summonses-to-10-more-individuals-in-senate-vote-collusion-probe [8] Prachatai. (2022, August 12). Anutin dismisses calls for Bhumjaithai Party to be dissolved. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220812/anutin-dismisses-calls-for-bhumjaithai-party-to-be-dissolved [9] Prachatai. (2022, August 9). 22 senators petition NACC to suspend DSI Director-General, EC's 26th Central Investigation Committee. Prachatai English. https://prachatai.com/english/news/20220809/22-senators-petition-nacc-to-suspend-dsi-director-general-ecs-26th-central-investigation-committee
Read also:
- Daily Perspectives on Donald Trump's Presidency
- Tawee replaced by Chusak in charge of DSI's operations
- Brazil's Congress enacted less stringent environmental regulations.
- Trump's politically-motivated seizure of DC authorities was allegedly instigated by a perceived attack on a former DOGE employee and his personal observations of homelessness, according to Trump's supporters.
