Ruangkrai Urges Election Commission to Investigate Luxury Plane Used by Suriya for Campaign Activities

On February 6th, 2024, Ruangkrai Leekijwattana, a Bangkok MP candidate from the Palang Pracharath Party, submitted a letter to the Election Commission requesting an urgent investigation into Suriya Juiroongruang, a Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate. The request focuses on whether Suriya used a private Gulfstream G550 aircraft for campaign activities, whether he reported all aircraft usage, and if such usage potentially violates election campaign laws. According to information from Thai Post website, a social media page revealed that a high-ranking politician (referred to as 'Big S') purchased a Gulfstream G550 from Ben Smith for approximately 800 million baht, with monthly payments of 100 million, but declared only 30 million to the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Ruangkrai highlighted discrepancies in Suriya's asset declarations, noting inconsistencies in the aircraft's reported value and acquisition date. He urged the Election Commission to conduct an immediate investigation into the aircraft's usage, potential campaign law violations, and its origins, and to forward findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.