Urged Termination of Coalition Parties Due to Thaksin's Influence Sought from Election Commission
The investigation by the Election Commission (EC) in Thailand regarding allegations of interference by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in seven political parties is at a critical stage. A political activist, Nopparuj Vorachitwutthikun, lodged a complaint with the EC on Tuesday, urging the commission to determine whether Thaksin’s involvement constituted illegal control over the parties.
The complaint, which includes evidence from a leaked phone conversation, alleges that Thaksin has been interfering in the internal affairs of the parties, in violation of the organic law on political parties. If found guilty, these parties could face dissolution under Thai law. The parties in question are Pheu Thai, Chartthaipattana, Chart Pattana, Democrat, Kla Tham, United Thai Nation, and Prachachat.
The EC subcommittee has forwarded a major case accusing Thaksin of undue influence over these coalition parties despite not being a member of any. This case is linked to allegations of breaches under Sections 28 and 29 of the organic law on political parties, and possible dissolution under constitutional provisions.
The complaint references events such as political figures visiting Thaksin’s residence, meetings held at the Shinawatra-linked Rosewood Hotel, and leaked communications. These events have already triggered other legal and political repercussions, including the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter, by the Constitutional Court.
As of early August 2025, no final ruling or public decision from the EC on this particular complaint has been announced. The situation remains part of broader political turmoil involving investigations into the ruling coalition and vote-buying scandals.
In a separate development, the final hearing in Thaksin's legal case concerning his controversial stay in a premium ward on the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital is scheduled for Wednesday. The court is expected to set a date on Tuesday to deliver its ruling in Thaksin’s case. The defence will call former deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam as its sole witness in Thaksin’s case.
Nopparuj emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and urged the EC to consider the matter seriously. He also questioned whether Thaksin’s comments about the Thai-Cambodian border conflict could threaten national security.
The investigation at the EC is active, and significant legal moves have been made, but no definitive outcomes such as party dissolution or formal rulings have yet been reported publicly as of early August 2025.
- The allegations made by Nopparuj Vorachitwutthikun to the Election Commission (EC) involve concerns over policy-and-legislation, specifically the organic law on political parties, as he accuses Thaksin Shinawatra of illegally controlling political parties and potentially causing their dissolution.
- The ongoing investigation by the EC into Thaksin's influence over several political parties is a matter of high politics, with implications for general-news items such as the Thai-Cambodian border conflict, and it is closely linked to legal proceedings, including Thaksin's court case over his controversial hospital stay.
