Bangkok: Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, convened a meeting with the Labor Protection and Welfare Commission to address the extortion case related to labor license renewals. The meeting also focused on updates regarding alleged collusion among senators.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Phumtham chaired the 4th/2025 meeting of the Special Case Committee (SCCC) in his capacity as acting Prime Minister. The meeting was attended by Mr. Jirayu Huangsap, spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office, and Mr. Chusak Sirinil, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, along with Police Major General Yuthana Praedam, Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation, and other committee members.
The committee reviewed the progress of a significant public interest case involving a senator, identified as Special Case No. 24/2025. This case pertains to conspiracy to commit money laundering by a secret society, as per Section 209 of the Criminal Code. Initiated on March 31, 2025, the investigation has so far involved interviews with 90 witnesses. Efforts include a simulation of the senator election process and analysis of CCTV footage from multiple agencies. A financial probe has identified links between 1,200 individuals.
The investigation also involves scrutinizing phone records to verify connections within the network. Senators and Senate assistants across 45 provinces have been implicated. The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is preparing to summon an additional 1,200 Senate candidates for further information, given the case's complexity. To expedite the investigation, the DSI has allocated 10 subordinate units, including an investigative team.
Mr. Jirayu also highlighted the resolution of a second criminal case involving both Thai nationals and foreigners. This case concerns fraudulent activities where money was unlawfully demanded from employers and foreign workers for illegal work permits in Thailand. This matter has been classified as a special case under Section 21, paragraph one (2) of the Special Case Investigation Act of 2004, following the Cabinet resolution of September 24, 2024. The case will proceed as per the special case meeting's resolution.