Justice Minister Orders Special Board Review of Teachers' Bribery Investigation Team
Justice Minister Ruthaphol Naowarat said a petition from the Teachers Reserve Group requesting the removal of DSI Director-General Piya Raksakul from heading the teachers' election bribery investigation team must be reviewed by the Special Case Board. The Minister emphasized that the DSI must reconsider the investigation team's composition, while any further action depends on the Election Commission's forthcoming ruling.
Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Ruthaphol Naowarat pointed to a petition from the Teachers Reserve Group opposing Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Raksakul, the current DSI Director-General, from heading the investigation team for Special Case No. 24/2025 — the nationwide teachers' election fraud and bribery case. The petition asks the Department of Special Investigation to bring the case before the Special Case Board and not allow Piya to serve as head of the investigation team, to ensure fairness without interfering in the case. The Minister said the matter must go to the Special Case Board, but the DSI must handle the reconsideration of the investigation team. When asked if Piya would be removed as team head, he said details are internal to DSI and he does not know if the team will be changed; DSI should be asked. Regarding whether there will be a policy to re-examine the case due to past allegations that the investigation team may have intimidated witnesses or acted improperly, the Minister said they must primarily follow the Election Commission's ruling. Once the EC issues its central ruling and refers it to the Supreme Court, the DSI will proceed on relevant parts. On whether DSI will consider additional suspects beyond the initial eight already indicted, he said details must be clarified by the DSI Director-General, as they still await the EC's central ruling.
