Election Commission Refers 77 Senate Election Suspects to Supreme Court
Thailand's Election Commission has referred 77 suspects to the Supreme Court over violations during the 2017 Senate election selection process, with charges including bribery, vote-buying, and benefit solicitation across multiple provinces.
On September 20, 2026, the Election Commission disclosed its rulings on investigations into the 2017 Senate election selection violations for charges 4 through 7, which were considered on September 14, 2026, and announced as News Item 456/2026. The charges include: charge 4, preparing, offering, or promising assets or other benefits; charge 5, providing or promising to provide meals; charge 6, soliciting or accepting assets or benefits to encourage or discourage candidacy; and charge 7, soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept money, assets, or other benefits to influence voting.
Surat Thani Province group: General Kriengsak Sriraksa and Yani Sifa were dismissed by a 6-1 vote, while Pichai Chompupol was dismissed by a 4-3 vote. Nine other defendants from this group were unanimously referred to the Supreme Court, including Chawangsak Supattkaew, Kosol Songsak, and Metta Manaphattana.
Uttaiyuthaya Province: Sek Julkesorn and Alongkot Vorkee were both referred by a 6-1 vote. Nakhon Si Thammarat Province: Six defendants including Somsak Chankaew, Techasit Chukaew, and Nattakitti Nuroad were referred by a 6-1 vote. Songkhla Province: Sophon Manonmaya and Amnuay Kittichoet were referred by a 6-1 vote in one case, while Sophon Manonmaya and Preecha Wisessindu were referred by a 5-2 vote in another. Nong Bua Lamphu Province: Sorchart Wichayasuwan and Phannipha Pasuk were referred, with the latter partially dismissed on one count. Sing Buri Province cases were referred by a 6-1 vote.
