Bangkok: The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that reports claiming it is preparing to consider a petition to dissolve six political parties currently in power are false. The EC stated that the matter is still at the office level, where facts and evidence are being collected. It emphasized that the process is lengthy and has yet to reach the EC for formal consideration. The commission urged media outlets to verify facts before reporting to avoid public confusion.
According to Thai News Agency, the EC released a document addressing the misinformation. The document referred to a specific news report claiming that on July 15, 2025, the EC would consider petitions to dissolve the Pheu Thai Party along with six former coalition parties due to allegations against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He has been accused of influencing these parties despite not being a member. The EC clarified that the petitions are still in the collection phase and have not been submitted for consideration.
The EC outlined the procedure for party dissolution as per the Political Party Act B.E. 2560. If a party or individual violates Section 28, which prohibits external control or influence over a political party, the political party registrar can recommend that the EC petition the Constitutional Court for dissolution. This process involves several steps, including a preliminary investigation by an assigned official and a review by the Registrar of Political Parties.
The fact-gathering process must align with the Political Party Act B.E. 2560 and involves several steps. Initially, an official conducts a preliminary investigation to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed. If sufficient evidence is found, a team is appointed to collect further facts and evidence, with the process taking up to 30 days, extendable by another 30 days if needed. During this period, the accused party is allowed to present its case. If no credible evidence is found, the petition is dismissed.
If the registrar finds credible evidence, the case is forwarded to the EC, which has 30 days to make a decision. If the EC disagrees with the registrar, the petition is dismissed. However, if the EC agrees, the case is taken to the Constitutional Court. If the EC believes the evidence is incomplete, it sends the case back for further investigation.
The EC has called on media and social media users to ensure the accuracy of their reports to prevent public confusion.