Marchers demand mass prosecutions in senate collusion case

Supporters of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw) marched 11-kilometres through Bangkok on Sunday demanding the Election Commission submit the senate election collusion case and its 229 suspects to the Supreme Court for judgement.

They marched from the iLaw office in Chatuchak district on Sunday morning, past Phahon Yothin and Phaya Thai roads to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre at Pathumwan intersection in Pathumwan district.

The marchers called on the EC to decide on Monday to forward the collusion case and all  229 suspects to the Supreme Court. 

Opposition and People's Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut took part in the rally, saying it might be the biggest election fraud case in Thai history.

iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanon said that if the EC spares any suspect, his group will reveal evidence against that particular suspect.

iLaw, the opposition-core People’s Party and allies have demanded the EC prosecute all 229 suspects identified in the case concerning the election of senators in June 2024.

The EC's 26th inquiry sub-committee, working with the Department of Special Investigation, concluded in July that 138 of the 200 sitting senators had obtained their seats unlawfully, and implicated 91 other politicians and associates, bringing the total recommended for prosecution to 229.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and several senior Bhumjaithai figures are among the 229, but have denied any involvement. The EC's 36th sub-committee voted 5-2 to dismiss the complaints.

The senate election collusion case has become one of the most closely watched political investigations since the nationwide senate election on June 26, 2024.

Investigators allege an organised network coordinated senate candidates across all 20 occupational groups, with senior politicians, cabinet members and influential provincial political families accused of supporting the operation.

Under the EC investigation, 229 people have been formally accused, 138 senators and 91 political figures.

The case has been jointly investigated by the EC and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

While the EC's original panel recommended referring the case to the Supreme Court, a later subcommittee concluded by a 5-2 vote that no offences had been committed, creating conflicting recommendations.