Government accused of stalling Senate election probe

Thailand's main opposition People's Party says the government used an urgent parliamentary debate on unrest in the country's three southernmost provinces to postpone scrutiny of the Election Commission's handling of alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election.

Deputy party leader Rangsiman Rome said the House had already agreed on procedures to consider the EC's annual report, which would allow lawmakers to question the polling agency. He accused the government of extending the speakers' list to delay the discussion, warning that the debate could have been completed before Thursday's meeting ended if the matter had not been referred to a House committee or the Cabinet.

Rangsiman questioned why an urgent debate on unrest was needed when lawmakers from the affected provinces should have attended and helped maintain a quorum. He said the delays could fuel public suspicion that the government was trying to avoid questions about alleged collusion.

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Further delays could fuel public suspicion that the government was seeking to avoid questions about the alleged collusion.

The EC is due to vote on the Senate election case on Sept. 14. Bangkok People's Party lawmaker Bhumintin Nounmuang accused the Bhumjaithai-led government of shielding the EC from parliamentary scrutiny. He said the commission had suffered a serious loss of public confidence and faced numerous election-related complaints. The allegations include claims that an EC official received payments and that witnesses in the case had faced pressure.

Several senior Bhumjaithai figures, including Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, have been recommended for prosecution over the alleged manipulation. They have denied involvement. The opposition said it would closely monitor the next House meeting, while Anutin rejected criticism that his government had failed to address unrest in the southern provinces.

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The government could not act without courage.