Thailand’s Election Commission has accused 26 incumbent senators of conspiring to rig the June 2024 Senate election in an alleged vote-buying scandal that has triggered public protests and could lead to criminal charges. The commission announced on Monday that it plans to refer the case to the Supreme Court, as part of a broader investigation involving 77 individuals linked to election fraud.
The accused senators are reportedly aligned with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai party. Alongside them, 36 unsuccessful Senate candidates and 15 other political figures face similar accusations. If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, those found guilty could face up to 10 years in prison, fines of 200,000 baht (approximately RM24,390), or both.
The 200-member Senate, which reviews legislation passed by the lower house and appoints leaders of key government bodies such as the Constitutional Court, National Anti-Corruption Commission, and Election Commission, was elected through an indirect voting process. Instead of direct public voting, senators were selected by their peers to represent 20 different professional sectors, including justice, education, public health, industry, arts, and sports. This election marked the first Senate poll since a military coup in 2014, which had previously seen senators appointed by the military.
Analysts note that the newly elected Senate features a significant proportion of former civil servants, military officers, police officials, and numerous supporters of the Bhumjaithai party. Reports have indicated that a total of 229 individuals, comprising over 130 senators, senior party members, and other politicians, have been implicated in a government probe into election fraud. However, senior Election Commission officials refrained from confirming this number during Monday’s press conference.
The allegations have fueled public outrage, culminating in a protest on Sunday in Bangkok, where hundreds of demonstrators called for the indictment of the individuals involved. The rally was organised by the accountability group iLaw. Yingcheep Atchanont, iLaw’s executive director, stated that unless the Supreme Court takes up the case, the organisation intends to publish extensive documents purportedly obtained from the Election Commission’s investigation.
The Election Commission has a 60-day window to submit its petition to the Supreme Court, which will then decide whether to accept jurisdiction over the matter. The development marks a significant moment in Thailand’s ongoing efforts to address electoral integrity amid concerns of political influence and corruption.