Ruling Party MP Accuses Election Commission Of Blue-Collar Crime

During the House of Representatives session on September 10, 2025, Ratchanok Srinum, a list-based MP for the People's Party, launched sharp criticism of the Election Commission during debate on the 3.78 trillion baht national budget. She alleged that the commission may not be conducting proactive investigations into vote-buying as required and questioned its handling of a case involving money transfers. Ratchanok presented evidence of 13 transfers totaling 860,000 baht made between April 7-22, 2024, to Surchai, an Election Commission investigator, during the period of a senator election. She criticized the commission's explanation that the transfers were unrelated to the senate race, noting that the commissioner had already terminated the employee.

Ratchanok raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, citing the case of a Buriram senator she identified by initial letters. She noted that the senator had previously been flagged for misrepresenting his qualifications when filing to run, yet the commission approved his candidacy. She highlighted a suspicious 39-second phone call between this senator and the commission secretary, expressing public doubt about what was discussed. Ratchanok also revealed that this senator was a former driver for a prominent political figure, suggesting potential overlapping interests.

Further, Ratchanok disclosed that someone had placed a copy of the Buriram senator case charge sheet at her office door. She read aloud the defendant's statement, in which the accused explained his involvement in business affairs, including his role as chairman of Buriram United and management of Chang International Circuit. Ratchanok concluded by warning the Election Commission to review her concerns carefully to avoid appearing to condone what she termed "blue-collar crime" and corruption.