DSI requests ECT ruling on 77 Senate vote-rigging cases

Khaosod•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is coordinating with the Election Commission (ECT) to obtain detailed rulings on 77 individuals involved in 2024 Senate election fraud to expand investigations into organized crime and money laundering.

•The DSI seeks the ECT's detailed rulings regarding 77 individuals the ECT resolved to prosecute in the Supreme Court's Election Division.
•The DSI intends to merge these findings into a larger case involving organized crime and money laundering, as ordered by the Special Prosecutor.
•The ECT's total number of reported individuals in the Senate vote-rigging case is 427, though only 229 were initially processed by a subcommittee.
•The testimony of Witness 16, Ekarat Changlao, has been deemed unreliable by the ECT due to a prior conviction and contradictory statements.

Overview

•On September 15, 2026, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) prepared a letter to the Election Commission (ECT) requesting reports and final rulings on 77 individuals.
•The Election Commission (ECT) previously resolved to send 77 individuals to the Supreme Court's Election Division regarding the 2024 Senate election fraud case.
•The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and prosecutors from the Office of the Attorney General will hold a meeting to determine investigation points based on the Election Commission (ECT) rulings.
•The Special Prosecutor believes the perpetrators operated as a large organization with a structured plan to illegally acquire legislative power in the Senate, violating the Constitution.
•While a subcommittee initially proceeded with 229 reported individuals, the Election Commission (ECT) chairman stated the total number of reported persons is actually 427.
•The Election Commission (ECT) rejected the testimony of Witness 16, Ekarat Changlao, citing a conviction for embezzlement and inconsistent statements.
•The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) identified 6 individuals who are suspects in both the DSI's organized crime/money laundering case and the Election Commission (ECT) vote-rigging case.

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Key Entities

Organization

Department of Special Investigation(กรมสอบสวนคดีพิเศษ)ℹ️

The agency investigating organized crime and money laundering related to the Senate elections.

Election Commission(กกต.)

The body responsible for investigating Senate election fraud and submitting cases to the Supreme Court's Election Division.

Supreme Court's Election Division(ศาลฎีกาแผนกคดีเลือกตั้ง)

The judicial body where 77 individuals in the Senate vote-rigging case were sent for prosecution.

Prosecutors, Office of the Attorney General(พนักงานอัยการ สำนักงานการสอบสวน)

The legal officials collaborating with the DSI to determine investigation points and legal actions.

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

A political party linked to some of the suspects and executives mentioned in the investigation.

Law

Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand(รัฐธรรมนูญแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย)

The supreme law which was allegedly violated by the organized group attempting to gain legislative power.

Person

Ekarat Changlao(เอกราช ช่างเหลา)

Witness 16 whose testimony was deemed unreliable by the Election Commission due to a prior embezzlement conviction.

Nisita Manchai(นิสิตา หมั่นชัย)

A member of the Bhumjaithai Party network and a suspect in both DSI and ECT cases.

Subin Sakda(สุบิน ศักดา)

A local politician in Nakhon Si Thammarat and a suspect in both DSI and ECT cases.

Worapot Tangphanpian(วรพจน์ ตั้งพันธุ์เพียร)

An executive and suspect in both DSI and ECT cases.

Atcharaphan Homrot(อัจฉราพรรณ หอมรส)

A Senator from Surat Thani province and a suspect in both DSI and ECT cases.

Wongsakorn Chanakit(วงศกร ชนะกิจ)

A former Bhumjaithai Party MP candidate and suspect in both DSI and ECT cases.

Maria Paoprathan(มาเรีย เผ่าประธาน)

A Senator from Prachuap Khiri Khan province and a suspect in both DSI and ECT cases.