EC Probes Bhumjaithai MP Over Gambling-Linked Donations
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On October 29, 2026, at the Election Commission office, Srisuwan Janya, leader of the Rak Chat Rak Din Party, testified to EC investigators regarding a complaint requesting an investigation into Chaiyaphum MP Suchada Saeng of the Bhumjaithai Party. The complaint asks whether her donations to the party violated Articles 72, 74, and 92(3) of the 2017 Organic Act on Political Parties. If violations are found, the EC must refer the case to the Constitutional Court under Article 92(4), with the ultimate penalty being party dissolution.
Srisuwan stated that Suchada donated to Bhumjaithai multiple times, both before and during her tenure as an MP. Questions have been raised about the source of her wealth, which may be linked to her husband's assets. Her husband declared 1.974 billion baht in assets to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on March 15, 2026. Yet Suchada reported annual income of only about 1.7 million baht, while her husband claimed no occupation and no annual income despite holding massive assets. He is not Thai but a Chinese national holding Australian citizenship.
Under NACC regulations, spouses must file joint asset declarations. The NACC has confirmed it is conducting a deep investigation into the origin of the assets, income, and debt repayment capacity.
Suchada later admitted her husband previously held a 1.47% stake in Mixed Order Limited, operator of the Shuffle gambling website, but sold it before she became an MP. Before entering politics, she served as Secretary to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society and as a ministry spokesperson from October 7, 2025, under Minister Chaiyaphon Chidchob, who was also Bhumjaithai's secretary-general.
Even when she held no political position, Suchada continued donating to Bhumjaithai, raising suspicions. The EC must coordinate with relevant agencies to trace the money and determine whether it originated from her husband.
Srisuwan noted that Article 72 of the Political Parties Act prohibits parties and party officials from accepting donations they know or should know come from illegal sources. Article 74 bars donations from non-Thai nationals or foreign juristic persons. If illegal donations are proven, severe penalties apply under Article 92(3), requiring the EC to petition the Constitutional Court for party dissolution under Article 92(4). Srisuwan urged the EC to investigate thoroughly to clear public doubts and uphold the rule of law.
