Anutin denies Bhumjaithai involvement in Senate scandal
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejects allegations linking Bhumjaithai Party to the Senate rigging scandal, citing mismatched timelines.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Anutin Charnvirakul denies Bhumjaithai Party's involvement in Senate rigging allegations.
- Emphasizes that government timelines and Senate election periods do not match.
- Points out that the party issued strict orders prohibiting members from interfering.
At 4:40 PM on September 6, 2025, at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed allegations raised by the People's Party regarding connections between the 36th committee and political development training programs. He dismissed the claims as completely unrelated and nonsensical, while urging Parit Wacharasinthu, MP and deputy leader of the People's Party, to first settle matters with Napintorn Srisupprang, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, following their prior debate on a television program.
Anutin stated that members of parliament must possess maturity and avoid behaving like sore losers. He reaffirmed that the Bhumjaithai Party has no authority to comment on the Senate rigging case and noted that during a recent party meeting, he reiterated that the matter has nothing to do with Bhumjaithai. One to two months prior to the Senate election, the party leader issued a formal written directive banning all party members from getting involved in the Senate selection process, an order that remains in effect.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Addressing claims that the Anutin administration was somehow implicated in the Senate rigging controversy, the Prime Minister outlined the timeline, noting that Anutin Cabinet 1 took office in September 2025 and Anutin Cabinet 2 in March 2029, whereas the Senate election took place in July 2024. He stressed that these periods cannot be logically connected. Furthermore, he stated that no Bhumjaithai members violated the directive and no evidence exists to penalize anyone for interfering.
"If you lose there, don't take it out elsewhere. Members of parliament must have maturity, you cannot act like a sore loser like this."
The Prime Minister added that back in 2024, Bhumjaithai served as a coalition partner and had no incentive to meddle in Senate affairs. Having entered government since 2019 relying purely on its own political performance and public service—growing from 50 seats to 70 and then 193 seats—the party had no need to depend on the Senate.
Anutin Charnvirakul's response illustrates a political strategy of cutting off allegations by utilizing chronological facts as a defense mechanism. Highlighting the party decree against Senate interference serves as both a disciplinary and legal shield. Meanwhile, deflecting the attack back toward the opposition aims to diminish the credibility of their ongoing campaign.
When reporters asked whether analysts believe the Senate rigging issue could destabilize the government, Anutin laughed and compared the situation to Rama IV Road and Sukhumvit Road, noting they run parallel and never intersect due to entirely different timeframes and contexts. Asked how he would respond if the opposition continues pursuing the matter, the Prime Minister briefly replied, "Be my guest."
Source: Matichon Politics
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