The EC Chair affirms that the Senate election fraud case is proceeding within the legal framework and disputes reports that only 20 offenders have been caught, while the EC Secretary avoids responding to the issue of the exposed ballot collection video.
On 16 June 2026, Mr. Narong Klunwarin, Chair of the Election Commission (EC), spoke about progress in the Senate election fraud case, responding to academic criticism that the EC might ultimately prosecute only 20 offenders out of 229. The EC Chair rejected this rumor, affirming that the EC's work is neither slow nor delayed as criticized. Everything is proceeding strictly according to legal frameworks, with monitoring meetings held every Monday. He then declined further comment and immediately took the elevator away.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sawaeng Bunmee, EC Secretary, declined to clearly answer journalists' questions regarding a video clip disclosed by Mr. Parit Watcharasinthu, opposition whip, showing events on Senate election day, 26 June 2024. The video depicts officials and EC staff collecting ballots and warning candidates. Mr. Sawaeng merely smiled and briefly stated that all matters related to that day have been fully adjudicated by both the EC and courts. He avoided answering whether the ballots from that day are still kept or if an urgent meeting was called immediately after the incident.
Mr. Anan Suwannarat, EC Commissioner, added regarding the clip showing Mr. Thitikhet Nuchnat of the EC present during the ballot collection and aware of it, that this incident happened a long time ago and the court has already ruled. Mr. Thitikhet had informed the EC meeting he wished to abstain from this case due to complaints against him. However, after discussion and the EC Secretary's report that the court had concluded its review, Mr. Thitikhet must continue his duties; failure to do so could constitute dereliction under Section 157. The EC meeting on 15 June also discussed the opposition's statements and the video clip.
Additional reports state that the court decision cited by the EC refers to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct (case number red AorTor 13/2568 dated 28 January 2025), which ruled that the 2018 Senate Election Act does not expressly forbid bringing ballots or documents listing other candidates into polling stations. Without a legal prohibition or classification as an offense, candidates have the right to bring any documents inside.
However, at today's EC event, it was noted that Mr. Thitikhet Nuchnat, whose name appears in the opposition's exposé video, abruptly canceled his participation less than half an hour before the event started amid intense criticism and controversy.