Senate Moves to Oust Minister over Gang Allegations

Bangkok: The Senate is gearing up to file a motion to remove a minister who accused them of being involved in organized crime. Senators are set to request the removal of ministers who labeled them as triads and bandits, along with initiating a debate and inviting an investigation by a committee. According to Thai News Agency, General Kriangkrai Srirak, First Vice President of the Senate, addressed the response to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) accepting the case of collusion in the 2024 Senate election as a special case. He stated that the legal team would gather information to file a complaint against those accusing both government and private sectors, citing damage to the Senate and public misunderstanding. The Senate committee plans to invite relevant agencies to clarify the serious accusations regarding gangs, crimes, and threats to security. Additionally, a general debate without a vote or a no-confidence motion against involved executives is on the agenda. The legitimacy of DSI's accusat ions will be reassessed with the senators, with a debate expected within this session. When questioned about discussing Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, the sole Justice Minister, General Kriangkrai mentioned that Thawee was involved, and it was essential to identify the instigators. General Kriangkrai further stated that the Senate might petition the Senate President to forward the case to the Constitutional Court for a ruling on the removal of the relevant ministers, which they believe would be adequate. When asked if this was a political maneuver against the blue-shirt senators, General Kriangkrai speculated it might relate to constitutional amendments, but emphasized the damage to the Senate, prompting an urgent press conference during a seminar in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. General Kriangkrai also mentioned his 38-year experience in security affairs in the southern border provinces, expressing his inability to accept the allegations. He noted that other members who have served the count ry under the 2017 Constitution principles felt similarly.