Thai Election Commission Refers 77 People to the Supreme Court in the 2024 Senate Collusion Case, Including 26 Sitting Senators
Thailand's Election Commission ruled on September 14 in the collusion case surrounding the 2024 Senate selection, deciding to refer 77 people to the Supreme Court, including 26 sitting senators. The commission announced the decision in its news release No. 456/2569, and criminal proceedings against members of the group are to follow.
The 77 comprise 26 serving senators, 36 other people who were eligible to take part in the Senate selection, and 15 other individuals. The referrals concern allegations including improper candidate introductions and the offering or accepting of property, meals, money or other benefits to influence the selection. The commission did not publicly identify the 77 in its announcement, giving only numbers and categories. It has 60 days to finalise the text of its ruling on the investigation files before formally petitioning the Supreme Court; if the court finds against them, those referred face revocation of their electoral rights and criminal liability.
By contrast, the two allegations accusing political figures of assisting candidates were not referred: the commission resolved not to petition the court against the 21 and 140 respondents in those parts of the case, a group that included Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the influential Bhumjaithai figure Newin Chidchob. That split decision set off a new political fight. People's Party leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut accused the commission of breaking an interconnected case into separate pieces, and his party is considering legal action against the commissioners themselves.
The formal investigation was much larger than the widely reported group of 229 people: it involved 67 complainants and 427 respondents, and the file ran to 75,722 pages. More than two years after the June 2024 selection, the case remains a central controversy in Thai politics.
(Source: Election Commission of Thailand)
Source: Election Commission of Thailand
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：位于泰国曼谷的国会大厦 Sappaya-Sapasathan（资料图）。CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Sappaya-Sapasathan, the Parliament House of Thailand in Bangkok (file photo). CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
