The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has finalized the case file for the Senate extortion and money laundering case and submitted it to the special prosecutors, charging the first batch of eight suspects. These include two actual senators, associates from a major political party network, and the president of the tourism business association, as their explanations failed to refute the evidence.
The case involves the Department of Special Investigation conducting a special investigation case number 24/2568 concerning conspiracy to commit money laundering by individuals or groups involved in extortion under Section 209 of the Criminal Code and related laws, known as the Senate extortion and money laundering case. The Special Case Committee (DSI Board) resolved to accept this as a special case.
Most recently, on 17 December 2025 GMT+7, reporters noted that on 28 November, the special investigation team for the Senate extortion and money laundering case, comprising DSI officers and prosecutors from the Investigation Office, held a joint meeting to discuss individuals involved in the Senate vote-rigging scheme. Based on witness testimonies and collected evidence, especially financial transactions before, during, and after the Senate election, irregular and frequent money transfers were found. There were also reciprocal relationships linked to individuals elected as national senators. Initial findings confirm eight individuals involved with clear evidence of criminal acts related to extortion and money laundering connected to obtaining Senate membership.
The special investigation team has already issued summonses to all eight suspects to notify them of the charges and request clarifications regarding the money laundering allegations.
However, all suspects submitted written responses denying all allegations and asserting no involvement in the Senate vote-rigging scheme. Upon review by the joint special investigation team of DSI officers and prosecutors, their explanations failed to refute the charges and evidence related to extortion and money laundering. Therefore, the team unanimously agreed to forward the case file to the special prosecutors to proceed with prosecution against the first group of eight suspects.
The first group of eight suspects submitted for prosecution by the DSI and the Office of the Special Prosecutor includes members of a major political party network, local politicians from Nakhon Si Thammarat province, an executive, actual senators from Surat Thani province, a former candidate for the House of Representatives from a major political party, an actual senator from Prachuap Khiri Khan province, and the president of the Southern Tourism Business Association.