Ex-Election Chief Somchai Sues for 50 Million Baht Over False Accusation
Former Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn sued for 50 million baht after being falsely accused of misappropriating charitable funds, presenting bank statements and wedding photos to prove his innocence.
On September 4, former Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn filed a complaint with Thong Lo Police Station against Nathawut Wongniiem for filing a false report that caused him damage and serious public defamation. Nathawut had accused Somchai of misappropriating charitable donations intended for a legal aid fund and using them for personal purposes, including dating a woman and staging a fraudulent wedding. Somchai denies all allegations and is countersuing on charges of filing a false report to cause criminal harm to another person. His lawyer, Naraseth Nanhongtoom, stated that the fund was established transparently with a formal announcement at Thammasat University and has strict withdrawal procedures requiring multiple authorized signatures. Since its establishment, no funds have been withdrawn from either account. Somchai presented bank statements from Bangkok Bank, Thammasat-Rangsit branch, certified by Thammasat University academic officer Parinnya Thevanimit, showing the first account contains 1,805,770.40 baht untouched, and a second organizational account holds approximately 400,000 baht. Somchai also displayed photographs of his wedding ceremony from nine years ago, which was a royal-blessed marriage presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Surayuth Chulanont, not a fraudulent event as claimed. He suggested the false accusations stem from poor diligence by the opposing legal team, which failed to verify basic facts before making charges. Beyond the criminal case, Somchai announced plans to file an additional civil lawsuit seeking 50 million baht in damages, arguing the sum is proportionate to the defendant's claimed business empire worth tens of billions of baht.
