Election Commission Clears Former Staff of Senate Poll Misconduct
Thailand's Election Commission cleared a former staff member of misconduct in the 2025 Senate election, finding that 860,000 baht in transfers he received between April and July 2024 were related to reviewing the 2023 House election in Amna
On August 13, 2025, Election Commission Secretary-General Suwang Bunyami confirmed that a former investigation officer of the Election Commission received 13 money transfers totaling 860,000 baht from individuals in Amnat Charoen province between April 1 and July 22, 2024. The commission's fact-checking found that the money was related to procedures in the 2023 House election in Amnat Charoen and not related to the 2025 Senate election, as had been questioned.
The 2023 House election took place on May 14, 2023, and the Election Commission certified results on June 19, 2023. Complaints or objections regarding that election had to be resolved within one year, or by June 18, 2024.
The first 11 money transfers occurred between April 1-19, 2024, a period when Senate candidate registration had not yet opened and the Election Commission was still reviewing the House election procedures for Amnat Charoen. This period fell within the one-year review window. The commission had decided to conduct a further investigation, assigning the Central Investigation Committee to continue the examination on March 28, 2024. The former investigator in question was one of the committee members, which aligns with the timing of the money transfers.
The 12th transfer on June 1, 2024, occurred during Senate candidate registration but before the district-level Senate election. Investigation of complaints or objections regarding the Amnat Charoen Senate election up to that date revealed no related issues.
The 13th and final transfer on July 22, 2024, took place after the Election Commission announced Senate election results. Although complaints regarding the Amnat Charoen Senate election existed during that period, investigation showed the former investigator had no involvement in or assignment to the Senate election case file.
Suwang confirmed that based on the timeline of both the House and Senate elections, job assignments, and case file review, the former investigator had no connection to the Senate election procedures, and the money received was related to work on the 2023 House election in Amnat Charoen, as corroborated by evidence and the verified timeline.
