Somchai reveals panel findings on senator election fund probe
Former EC member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn discloses committee findings regarding a Sisaket senator transferring money before the national election.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Somchai Srisutthiyakorn reveals details from the Central Investigation and Inquiry Committee 26.
- Evidence shows a Sisaket senator transferred 1,000 baht and 10,000 baht to another candidate.
- The recipient paid a 2,500 baht application fee but received 0 votes by not voting for themselves.
- Legal action at Thong Lor Police Station is scheduled for September 4, 2026.
On September 3, former Election Commission (EC) member Somchai Srisutthiyakorn published a Facebook post detailing the operations of the Central Investigation and Inquiry Committee, specifically clarifying that the correct designation for Committee 26 is a joint panel between the EC and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) comprising 20 members.
Somchai outlined the standard 7-step investigation process utilized by the committee, drawing reference from the meeting report of Investigation Committee 36, Meeting No. 11/2026, held on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, pages 15-17.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
According to the meeting report, investigators discovered evidence that a senator from Sisaket transferred 1,000 baht on May 7, 2024, ahead of the district-level election on June 9, 2024, and another 10,000 baht on June 22, 2024, prior to the national-level election on June 26, 2024, to another district-level candidate. Bank records from both accounts served as material evidence.
The investigation process highlights rigorous financial auditing in senatorial election disputes, matching bank transactions and testimonies against legal provisions such as Sections 62, 77, 79, and 81 of the relevant electoral laws.
When summoned, both the sender and recipient denied the 1,000 baht transfer, while claiming the 10,000 baht was a loan for bathroom renovations repaid in cash through a spouse. The committee dismissed the loan explanation as unconvincing and noted suspicious behavior: the recipient paid a 2,500 baht application fee yet secured 0 votes because they did not vote for themselves. Furthermore, another 10,000 baht transfer was made to a different district candidate a day before the election under the guise of catering expenses without supporting proof. The committee consequently recommended forwarding the case to the Supreme Court against both parties.
Additionally, Somchai announced plans for Friday, September 4, 2026, at 1:00 PM, where he and lawyer Noraset will visit Thong Lor Police Station to file criminal charges against Natthavut Wongniem for false reporting and public defamation, with civil lawsuits to follow the next week.
Source: Matichon Politics
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