People’s Party Demands Election Commission Action on Senate Vote Rigging Allegations
The People’s Party is intensifying pressure on the Election Commission (EC) to act on allegations of collusion in the recent Senate elections, presenting what it claims is substantial new evidence. The group asserts that the EC’s 26th investigative panel has already identified sufficient grounds to implicate 229 individuals, citing evidence described as more robust than in previous election-related inquiries.
During a press conference held at the Future Forward Building, a prominent opposition figure stated that failing to address these allegations despite compelling evidence would raise serious questions about the EC’s impartiality. The remarks were made on the second anniversary of the Senate election, a date marked by the unveiling of this fresh information.
Detailed Look at New Evidence
The People’s Party has reportedly gathered evidence from multiple provinces, augmenting publicly accessible information with testimonies from individuals who have already appeared before the EC’s investigative body. While acknowledging they do not possess the complete case files, the party maintains that their own findings, if persuasive, suggest that evidence held by the EC, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and other investigative panels should be even more conclusive.
The party plans to progressively release evidence from across the country, commencing with Nakhon Phanom province in the northeast. They have compiled five key pieces of evidence from this region.
Key Evidence Points:
- Video Clip: A video features Supachai Phosu, a former Bhumjaithai MP for Nakhon Phanom, at a traditional ceremony celebrating the election of Sithikorn Khongyos as a senator. In the footage, Mr. Supachai refers to Mr. Sithikorn and two other Nakhon Phanom senators as part of the “blue faction,” a term closely associated with the Bhumjaithai Party. He expressed pride in publicly identifying them as “blue-line senators,” linking the color to loyalty to the monarchy and stating no reason to hide such an affiliation. He also highlighted Mr. Sithikorn’s long-standing support for his political activities, noting that while senators are barred from party membership, he remained part of the “blue” group.
- Alleged Meeting in Ayutthaya: Witness accounts describe a meeting at a hotel in Ayutthaya province between June 24-25, 2024, shortly before the Senate election. Attendees allegedly included Senate candidates, Mr. Supachai, the three eventual senators from Nakhon Phanom, and an academic identified as “Por Pla,” reportedly involved in preparing voting lists. Witness testimony suggests that recommended candidate lists were drafted on the back of official election documents for use during voting. Dissatisfaction reportedly arose among some candidates when their numbers were missing from these lists. One individual who later became a senator allegedly promised support from other provincial voters and offered 300,000 baht to any candidate who did not secure enough votes.
- Negotiations and Intimidation Allegations: When discontent grew, Mr. Supachai allegedly engaged in private negotiations with some candidates. Offers of rotating Senate assistant positions were reportedly made to those who failed to win election. Participants were allegedly instructed to sign undated resignation letters in advance, with warnings that CCTV footage of the meeting had been recorded. This was described as a form of indirect intimidation. Investigations by the party confirmed the hotel’s extensive security camera system, and it was noted that the property owner is linked to a local politician’s family.
- Airline Bookings: A third piece of evidence involves an alleged airline booking made by one of the newly elected senators from Nakhon Phanom. This individual reportedly purchased tickets for nine other people, with the party claiming to possess flight details and ticket prices.
- Gathering at Concrete Mill: The fourth piece of evidence pertains to a gathering at a concrete mill in Nakhon Phanom on June 20, 2024, approximately one week before the Senate election.
- Audio Recording: The fifth and final piece of evidence from Nakhon Phanom is an audio recording purportedly featuring a senator from the province discussing benefits with another local leader. The speaker allegedly discusses covering travel and accommodation expenses, persuading successful candidates to help “block” positions, and offering Senate assistant roles with salaries as incentives. The recording includes the statement, “We’ve already paid for everyone’s flights. The Nakhon Phanom group’s airfare and hotel expenses have all been arranged. If we don’t lock this down, we won’t be able to compete with them. I’ve seen people abandon their parents, but I’ve never seen anyone abandon money.”
Call for Decisive Action
The opposition leader emphasized that the collective evidence points to systematic coordination across provinces, involving financial inducements, logistical support, and promises of positions. They urged the EC to examine all evidence comprehensively, rather than in isolation.
With two years having passed since the Senate selection process, the party asserts that sufficient time has elapsed for the EC to take decisive action. They indicated that any further evidence in their possession could be submitted if deemed necessary, though they believe the EC and DSI already possess extensive information.
The importance of corroborating witness testimony with other forms of evidence, such as travel records and CCTV footage, was also highlighted, suggesting these are areas authorities could further investigate.
The party reiterated its call for all 229 individuals identified by the investigation panel to be referred to the courts, arguing that preliminary findings already indicate grounds for wrongdoing.
Previously, a group of reserve Senate candidates and an election inspector had presented additional evidence to the opposition, alleging misconduct by election authorities during the 2024 Senate elections. Pol Col Manas Nakornsri, an election inspector for Samut Prakan, stated that an EC investigative subcommittee had previously found grounds to pursue cases against 229 individuals, including 136 sitting senators, for alleged collusion during the election.
