Opposition, Senators Urge House Speaker to Send 'Saksiam Case' to Supreme Court

Khaosod•Politics•13d ago

Reader Briefing

Opposition and Senators demand the Speaker of Parliament forward a petition to the Supreme Court for an inquiry into the PACC's decision to dismiss the 'Saksiam case'.

•Opposition parties and Senators are pressuring the Speaker of Parliament, Sophon Saram, to send a case involving former Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob to the Supreme Court for an independent inquiry.
•The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) previously dismissed a case alleging Saksiam Chidchob hid assets through nominees, a decision the opposition claims was a violation of duty.
•The Speaker of Parliament is urged to act within the week, with concerns raised that delaying the decision could suggest an attempt to whitewash the case or indicate a lack of impartiality.
•A similar case involving NACC commissioners previously proceeded to an independent inquiry within 41 days, while this current petition has been pending for 33 days.

Overview

•On July 8, 2026, Pharit Watcharasindhu, a Member of Parliament, and a group of independent Senators held a press conference at Parliament.
•Pharit Watcharasindhu and Senators collectively demanded progress on a petition submitted to Sophon Saram, Speaker of Parliament.
•The petition accuses the National Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) of dereliction of duty for dismissing the 'Saksiam Case' concerning alleged hidden assets.
•On June 5, 2026, the opposition parties and Senators jointly filed a complaint against PACC commissioners for alleged misconduct.
•The PACC dismissed a complaint regarding alleged hidden assets and false asset declarations by former Transport Minister Saksiam Chidchob, which the complainants argue was an unlawful dismissal of their case.
•The opposition and Senators are demanding that the Speaker of Parliament forward the petition to the Supreme Court within the week for an independent inquiry into the PACC's decision.
•Pharit Watcharasindhu stated that the Speaker of Parliament has two options: send the matter to the President of the Supreme Court or reject the petition.
•Failure by the Speaker of Parliament to act within the week, or to reject the petition without valid reason, may lead to accusations of dereliction of duty under Article 157.

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Key Quotes

Pharit Watcharasindhu

"We urge the Speaker of the Parliament to complete this within this week."

ขอเรียกร้องไปยังประธานรัฐสภาให้ดำเนินการให้เสร็จภายในสัปดาห์นี้

Nanthana Nanthawaropas

"Therefore, the Speaker of Parliament should expedite the process, as Article 236 does not allow for discretion to suppress or discard this petition."

ประธานรัฐสภาจึงควรเร่งดำเนินการ เพราะมาตรา 236 ไม่ได้เปิดให้ท่านใช้ดุลยพินิจที่จะปิดกลบ หรือทิ้งคำร้องนี้

Nanthana Nanthawaropas

"If the Speaker of Parliament wants to dismiss all these accusations, please proceed quickly according to the procedures."

ถ้าประธานรัฐสภาต้องการปลดจากคำครหาเหล่านี้ทั้งหมด ขอให้รีบดำเนินการตามขั้นตอน

Key Entities

Organization

National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)(ป.ป.ช.)ℹ️

The organization accused of dismissing the 'Saksiam Case' and facing scrutiny from the opposition and Senators.

Opposition(ฝ่ายค้าน)

Political bloc in Parliament that joined Senators to demand an inquiry into the NACC's dismissal of the 'Saksiam Case'.

Senators(สว.)

Members of the Senate who, along with the opposition, are urging the Speaker of Parliament to forward a petition to the Supreme Court.

Supreme Court(ศาลฎีกา)ℹ️

The judicial body to which the petition regarding the PACC's dismissal of the 'Saksiam Case' is intended to be sent for an independent inquiry.

People Party(พรรคประชาชน)

The political party to which MP Pharit Watcharasindhu belongs.

Person

Sophon Saram(โสภณ)

Speaker of Parliament who is being urged to decide whether to send a petition regarding the PACC's dismissal of the 'Saksiam Case' to the Supreme Court.

Saksiam Chidchob(ศักดิ์สยาม ชิดชอบ)ℹ️

Former Minister of Transport at the center of the 'Saksiam Case' concerning allegations of hidden assets.

Pharit Watcharasindhu(นายพริษฐ์ วัชรสินธุ)

Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the People Party, acting as President of the Opposition Whip, who is leading the call for the '[Saksiam Case]' to be sent to the Supreme Court.

Nanthana Nanthawaropas(นางนันทนา นันทวโรภาส)

Senator who is a vocal participant in the press conference demanding action from the Speaker of Parliament regarding the '[Saksiam Case]'.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The location where the press conference demanding action from the Speaker of Parliament took place.

Law

Article 236(มาตรา 236)

Constitutional provision cited by the opposition and Senators as the basis for their petition to the Speaker of Parliament, related to the process of investigating misconduct of constitutional organs.

Article 157(มาตรา 157)

Criminal code article regarding dereliction of duty, which could be invoked against the Speaker of Parliament if the petition is not acted upon.