EC Under Fire: Vote Buying, Massive Cash Withdrawals Raise Concerns.

MGR Online•Politics•267d ago

Reader Briefing

Concerns rise over potential vote buying and unusual large cash withdrawals ahead of the 2025 Thai elections, questioning the Election Commission's effectiveness.

•The upcoming 2025 Thai elections are facing scrutiny due to allegations of vote buying and significant unusual cash withdrawals detected by the Bank of Thailand.
•The Bank of Thailand reported a 250 million THB anomaly in cash withdrawals, focusing on 100 and 500 baht denominations, prompting investigations by the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and the EC.
•Political figures, including the Prime Minister and a former PM, have commented on the situation, emphasizing transparency and urging prompt action from relevant authorities.
•The Election Commission is criticized for its slow response and reactive approach, prompting calls for more proactive measures to ensure election integrity.

Overview

•The article discusses the upcoming 2025 Thai general election, indicating it's entering its final stages.
•The article highlights the enduring role of "money" and "vote buying" as critical factors in Thai elections, with rising costs.
•There are reports of substantial vote buying, with claims of up to 7,000 THB per person in some Bangkok areas, though this might be exaggerated, the underlying practice is confirmed.
•The Bank of Thailand has identified unusual cash withdrawals totaling approximately 250 million THB in the past 10 days, primarily in 100 and 500 baht denominations.
•The Bank of Thailand has forwarded these findings to AMLO and the EC for investigation.
•Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stated that abnormal financial transaction reporting is the duty of the central bank governor and all banks.
•Apisit Vejjajiva, Head and Prime Ministerial Candidate of the Democrat Party, expressed pleasure that the Bank of Thailand is addressing the issue, calling financial path management key to combating election corruption.
•The Election Commission is being scrutinized for its perceived lack of effectiveness and slow response to detecting and addressing election fraud, leading to calls for more decisive action.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Key Quotes

Anutin Charnvirakul

"If I meet with Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, I will emphasize and commend him for managing, observing abnormalities, and clarifying beforehand."

ถ้าพบกับนายเอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ รองนายกรัฐมนตรีและรมว.การการคลัง ซึ่งปกติก็ไม่ได้โทรหาผู้ว่าฯ แบงก์ชาติโดยตรง ก็จะกำชับไปและชื่นชมที่ออกมาจัดการและสังเกตความผิดปกติและออกมาชี้แจงไว้ก่อน

Anutin Charnvirakul

"This clarification is good, showing the central bank governor is serious. Thus, these transactions at all bank branches now, if someone withdraws 100 or 500 baht notes, they shouldn't be allowed and must be reported strictly. Isn't that good, making politics more transparent?"

การชี้แจงอย่างนี้ก็ดีอย่าง แสดงว่าผู้ว่าฯแบงก์ชาติเอาจริง ฉะนั้นธุรกรรมเหล่านี้แบงก์ทุกสาขาตอนนี้ ถ้าใครมาเบิกแบงก์ 100 แบงก์ 500 คราวนี้ไม่ต้องให้เบิกและต้องรายงานอย่างเข้มงวด ซึ่งมันก็ดีใช่หรือไม่ เป็นสิ่งที่ดีทำให้การเมืองสามารถมีความโปร่งใสเพิ่มมากขึ้น

Apisit Vejjajiva

"I am pleased the central bank is giving importance to this. Managing financial paths is the crucial starting point for combating election corruption."

ผมดีใจที่แบงก์ชาติขยับมาให้ความสำคัญกับเรื่องนี้ การจัดการกับเส้นทางการเงินคือจุดเริ่มต้นสำคัญของการปราบทุจริตเลือกตั้ง

Apisit Vejjajiva

"Mr. Apisit has urged the Election Commission (EC) to work more proactively, especially coordinating with the BOT to investigate unusual cash transactions during elections."

นายอภิสิทธิ์ ได้เรียกร้องให้คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง (กกต.) ทำงานในเชิงรุกมากขึ้น โดยเฉพาะการประสานความร่วมมือกับ ธปท. เพื่อตรวจสอบธุรกรรมเงินสดที่ผิดปกติในช่วงเลือกตั้ง

Key Entities

Organization

Election Commission of Thailand(คณะกรรมการการเลือกตั้ง)ℹ️

The Thai body responsible for overseeing and ensuring the integrity of elections, currently under scrutiny for its effectiveness.

Bank of Thailand(แบงก์ชาติ)ℹ️

The central bank of Thailand, which detected unusual large cash withdrawals and reported them to AMLO and the EC.

Anti-Money Laundering Office(ปปง.)ℹ️

The Thai agency responsible for combating money laundering, which is involved in the investigation of suspicious cash withdrawals.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

A major political party in Thailand, whose leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, commented on the election funding concerns.

Person

Sawang Boonmee(นายแสวง บุญมี)ℹ️

Secretary-General of the Election Commission of Thailand, involved in discussions with the Bank of Thailand regarding abnormal cash withdrawals.

Anutin Charnvirakul(นายอนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of Thailand, commented on the abnormal cash withdrawal situation.

Vitaratana Ratanakorn(นายวิทัย รัตนากร)ℹ️

Governor of the Bank of Thailand, who reported the unusual cash withdrawal activity.

Abhisit Vejjajiva(นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

Former Prime Minister and current Head and Prime Ministerial Candidate of the Democrat Party, who voiced support for the Bank of Thailand's actions and urged the EC to be more proactive.

Place

Bangkok(กรุงเทพมหานคร)ℹ️

The capital city of Thailand, mentioned as an area where high levels of vote buying are alleged.