Bangkok: "Thepthai Senpong" has called on "Phumtham Wechayachai" to clarify his role amidst allegations of political interference with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in the ongoing Senate collusion case. This plea comes as scrutiny intensifies over the 2027 budget, following accusations by the Bhumjaithai Party that the Paetongtarn administration manipulated the DSI for political leverage.
According to Thai News Agency, political analyst Thepthai Senpong expressed concerns on his Facebook page, "Thepthai - Political Talk," over alleged governmental interference in the DSI's handling of the Senate collusion case. These allegations suggest that the administration of General Aung San Suu Kyi is involved in meddling with the investigation.
As the House of Representatives continues its deliberations on the government's 2027 annual budget bill, public interest has shifted away from the specifics of budget allocations. Instead, attention is focused on discussions concerning the Election Commission (EC). A motion regarding the southern border provinces preceded the agenda on the EC's performance report, causing delays. The report will now be addressed following the budget bill's completion, although a specific timeline remains unclear.
During budget discussions, various MPs highlighted issues surrounding Senate collusion, referencing numbers such as 229, 44, 143, and 7-157, which pertain to the case. Members of the Bhumjaithai Party frequently responded to these debates with protests.
Notably, Supachai Jaisamut, a list MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed the Senate collusion case, alleging political interference in the DSI's classification of the case as special. He contended that these actions occurred under a different government, not under Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul's administration. Supachai implied that the Election Commission's Subcommittee 26, which indicted 229 individuals, acted under political pressure from the previous government led by Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, where Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
This interference allegedly influenced the subcommittee's resolution to indict, highlighting the Senate collusion case as politically charged under Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra's government. Supachai further noted that Subcommittee No. 36's decision not to indict during Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul's government also indicates political interference.
In response to Supachai's claims, stakeholders in Ms. Paetongtarn's government, particularly Phumtham Wechayachai, are urged to clarify their position. Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong, who was Minister of Justice at the time, has already addressed the allegations. However, Phumtham Wechayachai, as the DSI board chairman, remains to speak out against accusations of orchestrating political interference leading to the indictment of 229 individuals, allegedly targeting the Bhumjaithai Party.
Thepthai Senpong emphasizes the need for Phumtham to address these allegations publicly, disregarding coalition government protocols. Clarification is necessary to prevent damage to the Pheu Thai Party and Ms. Paetongtarn's administration.
In conclusion, there is a call for transparency from the Pheu Thai Party and related parties in Ms. Paetongtarn's government to elucidate the facts surrounding the Senate collusion case to the public.