Nakhon Pathom: Nakhon Pathom Court has mandated that the Palang Thai Rak Chart Party return 1.5 million baht in subsidies to the Political Party Development Fund following a lawsuit over non-compliant expenditure.
According to Thai News Agency, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) revealed that the Nakhon Pathom Provincial Court issued rulings on January 20 and January 28, requiring the Palang Thai Rak Chart Party to repay the full amount, totaling 1,519,683.90 baht, plus interest. The repayment is directed to the Political Party Development Fund as per the lawsuit's claim.
In 2020, the Political Party Development Fund of the EC Office distributed subsidies to 61 political parties, amounting to 119,694,070.57 baht. These parties were required to engage in political activities according to Section 84 of the Political Party Act of 2017. Investigations into party expenditures revealed non-compliance with laws, regulations, and criteria, prompting legal action to recover funds. Once reimbursed by the Palang Thai Rak Chart Party, the Fund plans to reallocate the money to political parties for activities in the upcoming fiscal year. All parties receiving funds are urged to adhere strictly to legal, regulatory, and criterion guidelines.