Report DSI Continues Vote-Rigging Probe Amid Justice Minister's Suspension

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Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) in Thailand is steadfastly pursuing its investigation into alleged vote-rigging in last year's Senate election, despite a recent suspension of Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, who was overseeing the agency. According to DSI spokesman Woranan Srilam, the Constitutional Court's decision to suspend Pol Col Tawee on Wednesday does not impede the investigation process.

 

Pol Col Tawee was ordered to halt his oversight of the DSI and step down as deputy chairman of the special cases committee, which initially endorsed the investigation into election irregularities. However, Mr. Woranan assured that the special case investigators are duty-bound to proceed with evidence gathering related to alleged collusion in the 2024 election independently of the justice minister.

 

The suspension followed a petition by 92 senators questioning whether Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Pol Col Tawee should be removed for interfering in the Senate election. While the court cleared Mr. Phumtham, it ruled that there were sufficient grounds to suspend Pol Col Tawee due to his authority over civil servants at the Ministry of Justice, including the DSI.

 

Despite tensions, the Election Commission (EC) welcomed the DSI's involvement, acknowledging the complexity and breadth of the case. Last week, both bodies issued summonses to six of 53 senators under investigation for the alleged vote manipulation. The DSI has identified up to 1,200 individuals potentially linked to the irregularities.

 

The allegations focus on "blue bloc" senators associated with the Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest in the government coalition. Notably, the final Senate vote on June 26 revealed unusual results with many winners in Bhumjaithai strongholds.

 

Pol Maj Woranan reiterated that the DSI is not concerned about facing legal action for continuing the probe, emphasising the need to separate administrative duties and legal matters to maintain integrity in the investigation.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-16

 

 

[Artisi]

Just ongoing Thai politics in play, the most corrupt will come out squeaky clean.