Chuan encouraged the Election Commission to handle the Senate election rigging case straightforwardly and not to justify wrongdoing. He advised repaying political debts after the benefactors have died, whether from natural causes or cholera, by attending their funerals.
10 Aug 2026 GMT+7 Chuan Leekpai, a party-list Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister from the Democrat Party, presided over the opening ceremony of the National Art Exhibition and International Art Exchange 2026, organized by the Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, at the National Gallery on Chao Fa Road. The exhibition features works by national artists, emerging artists, and international artists from 6 to 30 August, open Wednesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 16:00.
In a special keynote speech, Chuan addressed social and political issues, emphasizing that quality must be upheld in all areas—politics, economy, and society—because without quality, survival is difficult. “Isn't it shameful that civil servants have to pay 500,000 to 700,000 baht just to earn a salary of tens of thousands? If they don't extort, does it exist? Politicians buy votes with 80 to 100 million baht—do they accept earning only a hundred thousand baht a month? It doesn't add up even after many years. These people see politics as a business; they invest and expect returns. Corruption thus spreads everywhere, affecting a vicious cycle that reaches civil servants and even independent organizations.”
Chuan went on to say that the current problem in independent organizations is the interference in selecting Senate members, leading to the Senate election rigging case. He noted there is pressure on the Election Commission to act with integrity, but questioned whether they dare to do so since most commissioners were appointed under the current Senate, which is viewed as coming from a corrupt system. He expressed doubt that those appointed by such a system would judge fairly but still believes there are good people in society and not all are bad. He revealed he is preparing a letter to the EC chairman to offer encouragement and urge adherence to what is right and wrong.
Regarding repaying political debts, Chuan stated, “If we attain positions because of them, then repay the debt after they die by attending their funerals. Whether they die naturally or from cholera, attend the funeral as a traditional repayment. Do not repay by turning right into wrong or wrong into right just to keep these political thieves in power.”