Bangkok: The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has requested the Supreme Court to revoke the candidacy rights and initiate criminal proceedings against seven senator candidates in Roi Et Province. The candidates are accused of engaging in vote-buying activities, with the ECT presenting clear evidence supporting these allegations.
According to Thai News Agency, the ECT has filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to annul the right to run for election or the right to vote for Lt. Gen. Sopon Siri-ngam, Mr. Rueangwit Payuhamaruey, Mr. Chalermsak Saenpang, Mr. Chaichana Naowong, Mr. Banlu Butsat, Mr. Methee Buncharoenthanakul, and Mr. Sanong Kasingh. These individuals were participants in the provincial senator election in Roi Et Province, Group 1, Administration and Security. The petition also seeks action against Col. Sombunchai Aranpoon and Ms. Natthaya or Natthanicha Rattana, who were not senator candidates, under the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senate Members B.E. 2561 (2018) and the B.E. 2561 (2018) Constitution.
The investigation revealed that a senator, identified as the second witness, was approached between June 10-14, 2024, by Lt. Gen. Sophon, who arranged a dinner meeting with provincial senators at Sukjai Land Restaurant in Roi Et Province. During this meeting, Mr. Rueangwit allegedly offered the witness 15,000 baht to vote for him and Lt. Gen. Sophon. The money was reportedly exchanged at a Cafe Amazon located in a PTT gas station in Mueang District, Roi Et Province.
Further evidence indicated that Lt. Gen. Sophon facilitated financial transactions to promote his candidacy, including money transfers through Col. Sombunchai and Ms. Natthaya or Natthanicha. These transactions were corroborated by photographic evidence, LINE conversations, and video clips.
Additionally, evidence suggested that Mr. Chaichana, Mr. Banlue, Mr. Sanong, and Mr. Methee promised payments between 20,000 and 50,000 baht to the second witness to secure votes in favor of Mr. Chaichana and Mr. Banlue. Evidence of a 1,500 baht bank transfer for hotel reservations also emerged, linking Mr. Chaichana and Mr. Sanong to voter inducement.
On the election day, June 16, 2024, evidence of further financial inducements surfaced, implicating Lt. Gen. Sophon in facilitating a 15,000 baht transfer to Mr. Rueangwit to influence the election outcome.
The ECT concluded that these actions breached the Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senate Members 2018, compromising the integrity and fairness of the election as outlined in Section 62 of the same law. Consequently, the ECT has pursued legal action with the Supreme Court to address these allegations.