Bangkok: Parliament is in turmoil as the opposition slams allegations of Bhumjaithai Party officials being involved in collusion for Senate seats. Chayapol criticized the alleged involvement of Bhumjaithai Party officials in a Senate fraud scandal, questioning the Election Commission's (EC) failure to prosecute and dismantle the party's executive committee. He also revealed information about the Senate, causing unrest within the Bhumjaithai Party. Meanwhile, Polpeera taunted Chayapol, suggesting he apply for an EC position if he's so knowledgeable, and lashed out at those who claim to be "children of gods," implying that ordinary people can escape punishment.
According to Thai News Agency, the House of Representatives meeting, chaired by Ms. Mallika Chiraphanvanich, First Deputy Speaker, addressed the agenda item of acknowledging the performance report of the Election Commission (EC) for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Mr. Chayapol Sathondee, Bangkok MP from the People's Party, argued that the Election Commission's (EC) report for 2024-2025 contained the most questionable results, alleging that the EC itself might be an accomplice in the Senate collusion scheme. While charges were filed against 77 out of 229 individuals suspected of involvement in the collusion, a closer look reveals a possible cover-up. These individuals have clear financial connections, making their involvement undeniable. They allegedly used their own networks to solicit support, funding, and locations from the Bhumjaithai Party network to participate in the collusion. The EC's decision to refer the case to the Supreme Court on September 14th was a narrow interpretation, a subtle sacrifice of new f unds to protect key figures within the Bhumjaithai Party.
Mr. Chayapol stated that he would expose the network of close associates and influential figures within the Bhumjaithai Party. He mentioned Ms. Rattana, whose phone records showed 62 calls made between her and 19 Senate candidates during the Senate election period. The chairman of the meeting objected, suggesting Mr. Chayapol use an abbreviation instead of "Rattana," prompting him to change it to "Rattana." Mr. Chayapol argued that Ms. Rattana must have been a trusted individual to be entrusted with delivering money to those involved in the scheme. Of the 19 individuals who contacted Ms. Rattana, six have been indicted by the Election Commission (EC) in the Supreme Court, while 13 have not. Ms. Rattana holds positions as a specialist for a Member of Parliament and as a member of the Bhumjaithai Party's executive committee.
During one segment, Mr. Chayapol presented photographic evidence showing Ms. Rattana's desk, filled with numerous administrative documents, leaflets, and various party shirts. He also showed footage from a YouTuber's video taken on the 4th floor of the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, during a tour of the premises by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, which included a shot of Ms. Rattana's desk. Furthermore, Ms. Rattana had posted a picture of a racetrack in 2020 with the caption stating that she had worked for a political party for over 20 years.
During the discussion, Mr. Chayapol also mentioned the collusion in the Senate elections in Loei Province, linking it to a stone quarry owned by the family of a Bhumjaithai Party MP. He summarized that the five legitimate Senators are all connected to powerful political families. Despite clear evidence, the Election Commission allowed five Senators from Loei Province to be elected and did not indict anyone else in the province. He further stated that further investigation would reveal connections, indicating an attempt by political parties to utilize provincial networks and powerful families to organize and gather people, offering incentives for the collusion in the Senate elections for their political gain. This is seen as an attempt to monopolize power, create mechanisms to prevent scrutiny and interference with independent organizations, including the Constitutional Court, as a shield against investigation, and use it as a legal weapon in a political war.
Reporters said that during Mr. Chayapol's speech, many Bhumjaithai Party MPs rose to protest, including Mr. Siam Pengthong, MP for Bueng Kan, and Mr. Wichai Sudswasdi, MP for Chumphon, who stated that constantly mentioning the Bhumjaithai Party name was damaging to their constituencies. Then, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a party-list MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, exercised his right to respond to Mr. Chayapol's accusation that he was defending and pleasing a "boss." Mr. Supachai stated that there was no "boss" in the Bhumjaithai Party, and that he had been a member of the party's executive committee for 16 years, therefore his duty was to protect his party from slander and false accusations. He added that there was an attempt to connect the story like a soap opera, and that the discussion was outside the scope of the Election Commission's report.
Meanwhile, Parit Wacharasindhu, a list MP from the People's Party and chairman of the opposition coalition's whip, rose to speak, stating that the content of the discussions by fellow members today might be interpreted as relating to the Bhumjaithai Party, but he emphasized that it definitely concerns the scrutiny of the Election Commission's (EC) performance, as these individuals are on the EC's case file. Mr. Chayapol then discussed the relationship of "Khun Rattan" to the Bhumjaithai Party, prompting Mr. Siam to protest, insisting that it was unrelated to the Election Commission's work. Mr. Parit repeatedly clarified to the protesters, reiterating that the discussion concerned the Election Commission's operations. This led to a heated response from Mr. Polpeera Suwannachavi, a Bhumjaithai Party MP from Nakhon Ratchasima and Deputy Minister of Interior, who, speaking as an MP, argued that the decision on the Senate collusion case did not rest with those in power, and that the process was already complete. H e also stated that there was a deliberate attempt to shift the blame onto the Bhumjaithai Party.
"It's deliberately designed to shift all the blame and irregularities onto my party. That's fine. They call me a 'prince charming,' everything I do is wrong. Even taking this position is wrong. You ordinary people, you can do nothing wrong, can't you? What makes everything you say right? If you have so much knowledge and ability, why don't you apply to the Election Commission as candidates? Go and make your own decisions. I'm asking you honestly, today, ask these questions: How is the organization managed? What are the outstanding issues? How is the Election Commission's budget used? Which party received the most donations? What did they do with the money? But today you're dragging other issues into it. What's the point?" Mr. Polpeer said.
General Peerapong continued by saying that what the People's Party was doing, regardless of the evidence, did not lead to winning the election, but they themselves had won. Then there was an exchange between Mr. Parit, who rose to exercise his right to respond, and Mr. Koravee Prisnanantakul, MP for Ang Thong from the Bhumjaithai Party and Chief Government Whip, who rose to say that if the debate involved references to other individuals, including the Bhumjaithai Party, protests like this would continue. Therefore, he wanted the presiding officer to use his authority to stop the debate if further references were made. After that, Mr. Chayapol continued his speech until the end.