Bangkok: "Natthaphon" has officially submitted a request to the Lawyers Council, asserting that there is substantial evidence of collusion in the selection process of senators. This move comes as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) prepares for a crucial meeting tomorrow to decide whether this case should be treated as a special case.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nattaporn Toprayoon, a former advisor to the Ombudsman, along with his team, has approached the Lawyers Council to prompt an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the 2024 senator elections. Mr. Nattaporn claims to possess evidence including images, audio clips, and witness testimonies, which he intends to present to the Constitutional Court on March 10. The Constitutional Court is anticipated to reach a conclusion within 2-3 months. An assistant professor, allegedly responsible for generating a collusion list, will be named when the evidence is presented to the court. Furthermore, evidence pointing to money transfers and connections to high-ranking political figures has been identified, suggesting organized crime activities. Mr. Nattaporn argues for charges related to secret societies, gangs, and money laundering, urging the DSI to investigate.
Dr. Wichian Chubthaisong, President of the Lawyers Council, has assured that all evidence will be compiled and forwarded to the appropriate authorities. He plans to present this information to the Special Case Committee, of which he is a member, during tomorrow's meeting. The committee will then decide whether to classify this as a special case.
In a related development, Mr. Sonthiya Sawasdee, a former Senate candidate, has submitted a letter to the DSI asking them to reconsider accepting the case as a special case. Mr. Sonthiya, who was a Senate candidate in Pathumwan District and was eliminated at the provincial level, had previously lodged a complaint about collusion during the initial district-level selection. The Election Commission (EC) has investigated this twice already, and the matter remains under consideration.
The EC possesses comprehensive evidence, including images, audio, and video, but for this data to be shared with any agency, a court decision is required. Mr. Sonthiya questions whether the DSI has requested this information from the EC, emphasizing that the DSI must exercise caution to avoid legal infractions or constitutional breaches.