Thai Opposition Pledges to Investigate Alleged Senate Vote-Buying Scheme Involving Key Ministers

PHNOM PENH, July 21, 2026 – The Thai opposition has vowed to investigate an alleged vote-buying scheme in the Senate elections, after civil society group iLaw submitted evidence implicating nine ministers and MPs, including Deputy Prime Ministers Anutin Charnvirakul and Songsak Thongsri.

On July 21, Mr. Yingcheep Atchanont, Director of the iLaw project, presented evidence to Mr. Parit Wacharnsinthu, leader of the Thai Pakdee Party and Chairman of the Government Coalition MPs Coordination Committee, at Parliament.

Mr. Yingcheep stated that iLaw had been gathering information since early 2023 but had seen no progress. He expressed concern that key government figures implicated in the case could escape accountability due to the actions of the Election Commission, and urged the opposition to investigate.

The evidence presented includes allegations against:

1. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health: Witnesses claimed he met with a group of 14 people at Parliament and provided contact details for coordination. He was also seen meeting with over 100 senators at the Pullman Hotel in July 2023, after which certain individuals were selected as President and Vice President of the Senate.

2. Mr. Songsak Thongsri, Deputy Prime Minister: Witnesses in northeastern provinces reported being invited to a hotel in Nong Bua Lamphu, where a Senate candidate announced, allegedly on behalf of Mr. Songsak, that attendees should be divided into groups and their identities recorded.

3. Mr. Phradon Prissananantakul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office: Allegedly led a group responsible for gathering information and designing the candidate selection process, requesting financial support of 10,000 baht per candidate, with additional funds for those reaching the national level.

4. Mr. Karavee Prissananantakul, MP for Ang Thong: Allegedly involved in transporting Senate candidates to preparatory meetings.

5. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport: Witnesses claimed his wife and daughter attended Senate election preparation meetings, and his advisor is now a senator.

6. Mr. Naphinthorn Srisaraphang, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office: Allegedly met with a Senate candidate and discussed a pre-signed resignation letter.

7. Ms. Suksomruay Wantaniyagool, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office: Allegedly involved in paying a "fee" to a Senate candidate and holding meetings in Amnat Charoen.

8. Mr. Pichai Chomphunpol, MP from Surat Thani: Financial records show 500,000 baht transferred into his account, and his assistant is a suspect in a money laundering investigation.

9. Mr. Supachai Pothisu, former Deputy Speaker: Allegedly met with candidates at a hotel in Ayutthaya and instructed them to fill out forms and choose specific numbers.

Mr. Parit Wacharnsinthu pledged that the opposition would thoroughly investigate the matter, stating: "We will do our utmost to investigate this Senate corruption case thoroughly."

Reported by The Khmer Today