Bangkok: During a heated budget debate in parliament, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a party-list MP from the Bhumjaithai Party, made bold allegations regarding a case against 229 senators, describing it as a "poisonous fruit" intended to undermine his party. He warned of a potentially shocking outcome in the senators' case set for September 14.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Supachai addressed the draft Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2027, focusing on Section 32 concerning the budget for independent organizations and the Attorney General's Office. He argued that the investigation into the senators was not initiated by the Election Commission (EC) but by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in September 2024. The investigation, identified as Case No. 151/2567, has raised suspicions of being "predetermined" to target specific individuals, with initial findings suggesting connections to Senate candidates who are police cadet graduates and a former deputy director-general of the DSI.
Mr. Supachai criticized the method of allegation, where the same content appeared on a single sheet of paper with different names substituted. He argued that such a method is improper and carries potential legal repercussions. He emphasized that the rule of law requires individual assessments of behavior to justify criminal penalties.
Continuing his argument, Mr. Supachai disclosed that some individuals were allegedly protected as witnesses, a practice he noted the EC does not typically follow. He claimed that serious details, including attempts to intimidate witnesses, were disclosed in the case file. Allegations also involved the misuse of the DSI and Royal Thai Police to politically defame the Bhumjaithai Party, with fabricated evidence purportedly used to accuse individuals of collusion in Senate elections.
Mr. Supachai described the situation as "poisonous fruit from a poisonous tree," expressing concerns over potential witness intimidation and the case's possible shocking revelations. He questioned the lack of acknowledgment of these issues and emphasized that the matter was politically motivated, aiming to topple the Bhumjaithai Party rather than the Senate. He urged that the Election Commission's efforts should not be hampered by budget cuts if they are performing well.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Supachai criticized the Election Commission for its handling of leaked confidential documents and questioned the absence of legal action against those responsible. He highlighted alleged collusion involving meetings and financial exchanges at various locations, urging future budget considerations to focus on agency performance, not just financial allocations.