PM dismisses Senate poll allegations as no threat to coalition

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed concerns that allegations of collusion in the Senate election could undermine the coalition government’s stability. He was commenting on Monday after Yingcheep Atchanont, the director of the election watchdog group iLaw, pledged to continue releasing evidence about alleged manipulation of the 2024 election. Mr Yingcheep recently submitted a petition to opposition chief whip Parit Wacharasindhu seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the alleged involvement of nine senior Bhumjaithai Party figures, including the prime minister, in orchestrating irregularities. iLaw alleged that Mr Anutin had attended a gathering at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel while other senior party figures were involved in different stages of the operation. Mr Anutin reiterated his insistence that his party and its members were not involved in the Senate election process, and that there was no need to establish a “war room” to respond. He said he had issued a written directive to all party members one month before the 2024 election, instructing them not to become involved in the selection process. Responding to the Pullman allegation, the premier said he was a frequent guest of the hotel and rejected any suggestion that his visits were linked to the election. He also dismissed speculation that the allegations could lead to the party’s dissolution, while confirming his intention to pursue legal action against Mr Yingcheep. PM’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul, one of those named by iLaw, insisted the planned legal action was not a strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP). “This is not a SLAPP suit. The allegations have damaged not only me personally but also the party, making legal action necessary,” he said. PM’s Office Minister Suksomruay Wantaneeyakul, also named by iLaw, urged the opposition to verify its information before making public allegations. “Mr Parit is a little late. It’s been two years, and he’s only now raising issues based on information that has already been examined,” she said. At a recent forum marking the second anniversary of the Senate election, Mr Parit outlined his own evidence of collusion and concern the Election Commission might not pursue all complaints. The 2024 Senate election gave rise to allegations of systemic fraud and vote-buying by at least 130 of the 200 senators who were ultimately chosen in the three-stage poll. The vote produced some highly unusual results, notably a preponderance of winners from provinces where the Bhumjaithai Party, which now leads the government, is strong electorally. After months of reviewing complaints from candidates and the public, the Election Commission appointed an investigative committee in March 2025. It spent four months investigating before recommending action against 229 people, including 138 senators. The case was then reviewed by an adjudication panel, which reached the opposite conclusion in March this year and recommended dismissing all the allegations. The second panel’s decision only reached the full seven-member EC in June, and it has 90 days, or until Sept 8, to issue a final ruling on whether to send the case to the courts. The commission has said it hopes to release its decision in August. The Department of Special Investigation, meanwhile, has interviewed hundreds of people about reports of money-laundering related to the election and is now reviewing the findings.