The Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) has questioned the appropriateness of People’s Party (PP) leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut leading a march to pressure the Election Commission (EC) ahead of its decision on the alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election.
Mr Natthaphong, also the opposition leader, has invited supporters to join an 11-kilometre march on Sunday from the iLaw office to the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, one day before the EC is expected to reach a final decision in the case.
The PP and its allies, including NGO group iLaw, have demanded the EC prosecute all 229 suspects identified in the case.
Suphachai Jaismut, a Bhumjaithai list-MP, on Wednesday questioned whether a party leader should organise a public demonstration to pressure an independent organisation before it makes a ruling. He said criticism of the EC and calls for transparency were legitimate, as was peaceful assembly, but questioned whether the march was appropriate if its purpose was to influence the outcome of the case.
“Cases must be decided by the law and the evidence, not by public sentiment or political pressure,” Mr Suphachai said, adding party leaders should respect the rule of law.
He also raised the possibility of a similar situation arising if pressure were later brought to bear on the courts in a case involving 44 former Move Forward Party (MFP) MPs facing an ethics investigation. The MFP is the immediate precursor to the PP.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a BJT MP and deputy transport minister, said the opposition had sought to pressure the EC over the Senate case, including a previous exercise activity held outside its headquarters.
Mr Siripong also questioned who would benefit if the EC acted against the senators, suggesting reserve senators could gain from such an outcome. He urged the public to consider whose interests the campaign ultimately served.
Meanwhile, a group calling itself the National Thai People’s Assembly, together with Senate candidates from Group 17 in Nakhon Pathom, petitioned the EC and National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) over two election commissioners, Anan Suwannarat and Narong Rakroi.
They called for the two commissioners to be excluded from deliberations on the Senate case, arguing that they were selected by senators who are themselves under investigation for alleged election fraud.