Protesters Rally at BACC Demanding EC Prosecute 229 in Senate Election Collusion Case

BANGKOK — Crowds gathered at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre on Sunday as iLaw held a rally calling on the Election Commission (EC) to prosecute all 229 people accused in the alleged 2024 Senate election collusion case. The event, titled “People Take Action: Prosecute 229”, was organised by the Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, as a final show of public pressure before the EC is due to consider the case on 14 September. Participants called on the EC to pursue charges against all 229 suspects without exception. The crowd was joined by iLaw Executive Director Yingcheep Atchanont, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu. The group walked from iLaw’s office on Lat Phrao Road to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, arriving at about 15:00, where they were welcomed by a marching band. At the rally site, participants arranged blue sheets on the ground to form the number 229, representing the number of people accused in the case. Organisers said the blue colour was intended to reference the Bhumjaithai Party, which demonstrators believe is linked to the alleged Senate election collusion. The party has denied wrongdoing in connection with the case. The event also featured music and satirical songs criticising the EC and the “blue party”, while organisers distributed 2,229 copies of a tabloid about alleged Senate election fraud and sold iLaw campaign merchandise. Large crowds gathered both in the plaza and on the nearby skywalk. Uniformed and plainclothes officers from Pathum Wan Police Station were deployed around the area to monitor the event and maintain order. The EC is expected to announce its decision in the case on Monday, 14 September.