Protest Demands Prosecution of 229 in Senate Election Rigging Allegations

A rally under the banner ‘Indict the 229 Senators’ was held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BAAC) on September 13, where people’s leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut stated that he and others present were attending as private citizens to pressure the Election Commission (EC) to forward the names of all 229 suspects in the 2024 senatorial rigging conspiracy to the Supreme Court. The decision was scheduled for the following morning. Nattapong emphasized that it is the duty of citizens to make their voices heard, particularly given that this case is considered the biggest fraud scandal in Thai political history. He expressed concern that public passivity could lead to the matter being dropped without accountability. Earlier, former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn had suggested that the current EC might press charges in the Supreme Court against at least six out of 22 Bhumjaithai party figures. These individuals, who are current ministers, lawmakers, or executive board members, are allegedly involved in vote-buying and bloc-vote rigging during the Senate elections two years ago. The conspiracy is reportedly designed and manipulated by those associated with the Bhumjaithai party, a core component of the current coalition government. Nattapong clarified that the rally's primary goal was to demonstrate collective strength and exercise constitutionally protected rights, rather than to pressure specific individuals. Publicly available evidence suggests potential fraud or dishonesty in the Senate election process, prompting the group’s demand for transparency and prosecution by the EC. Addressing the potential impact on the government, Nattapong noted the lack of a direct link between the current checks and balances system and the people. He pointed out that election commissioners are selected by the Senate, whose members emerged from an election process itself marred by fraud suspicions. Upon arriving at BAAC, Nattapong mentioned that the EC intends to disclose only the number of individuals involved, not their names, on the upcoming decision day. Responding to a social media post by Pheu Thai's former deputy prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai, which implied that the Senate election collusion case could have been resolved sooner had the People’s Party voted for their prime minister candidate instead of Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, Nattapong reiterated that the demands were not directed at any specific political party but sought a public-accountable scrutiny process and public trust. He underscored that existing public evidence provides credible grounds to believe that collusion and fraud occurred in the Senate election process, leaving the EC with the course of action to submit the list of 229 individuals to the court for a ruling. Preparations at BAAC included setting up booths and a stage for a final show of force, led by iLaw Executive Director Yingcheep Atchanont. The central demand was “Prosecute all 229 suspects” without exception. Activity booths and a stage were being set up, and tarps were laid out to symbolically form the number “229.” According to the event schedule, a diagram illustrating the connections between the 229 individuals involved in the Senate election fraud case was to be unveiled, followed by an "iLaw Open Floor" session and the formation of the number “229” by participants, sending a clear message to the EC. Information source: Thai Newsroom