Thousands Gather to Demand Vote-Buying Charges Before Election Commission Decision
Thousands rallied in Bangkok on September 13 demanding the Election Commission press charges against all 229 suspects in a senate vote-buying scandal before voting on the cases the following day.
On September 13, 2025, at Bangkok's Art and Culture Center, iLaw (Internet for People's Law Project) organized a rally called "People Release Complaint 229" as a final demonstration of public pressure before the Election Commission votes on senate vote-buying cases on September 14, demanding charges against all 229 suspects without exception.
Large crowds of demonstrators, joined by iLaw Executive Director Yingluck Achcananth, Phak Prachathai Party leader Natthapong Ruengpanya, and party-list MP Prathot Wachrasing, marched on foot from iLaw's headquarters on Lad Phrao Road, arriving at the venue at 3 p.m. with a full orchestra providing a musical welcome.
Within the event space, a performance stage displayed the number "229" in blue fabric sheets on the ground—representing the 229 accused in the case. Protesters chose blue as the color of the Thai Pride Party, which they believe is implicated in the scandal. The program featured musical performances and satirical songs criticizing the Election Commission and the blue party, while organizers distributed 2,229 copies of a mock newspaper titled "Vote-Buying Election Fraud" and sold iLaw campaign merchandise.
The atmosphere drew large crowds both at ground level and on the skywalk. Uniformed and plainclothes police from Pathumwan Police Station were stationed around the venue to monitor the event and maintain security.
