The Election Commission clarified the issue of an official involved in the 2023 election fraud cases in Tak and Amnat Charoen provinces, confirming that the official solicited actual money, has been investigated, and dismissed in one case. Financial tracing revealed the money sender was not the MP, and no evidence linking the MPs has been found.
On 14 August 2026 at Centara Life Hotel, Chaeng Watthana Government Complex, Mr. Sitthichot Intharawiset, an Election Commissioner, responded to questions about a staff member involved in a 2023 MP election case. He said the Election Commission had seriously investigated the matter. He was assigned to oversee the investigation of complaints regarding the 2023 MP election, focusing on two provinces—Tak and Amnat Charoen—where additional inquiries were ordered.
In Tak province, involving a local election with allegations of money solicitation fraud, the Election Commission office received complaints and news reports. They appointed an investigation committee, which confirmed the official's wrongdoing. The committee has since resolved to dismiss the official.
In Amnat Charoen, another case where central authorities assigned the official to conduct further inquiries on an MP election case, complaints and evidence of money solicitation fraud were also found. Although the official was previously dismissed in the first case, disciplinary procedures continued. The disciplinary committee has preliminarily recommended dismissal, and the matter is now in the final consideration stage of the subcommittee, with a decision expected soon.
Regarding the MPs accused of election fraud, the case is separate from the official’s investigation. Financial tracing showed that the money was transferred to the official by another individual, not the MP named in the complaints.
When asked if further investigations would link the case to others named, such as Ms. Yanee Sifa, a provincial councilor closely associated with Ms. Suksamruay Wantaneeyakul, MP for Amnat Charoen from the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr. Sitthichot said no new case files have been opened. To do so would require sufficient evidence linking the parties involved. Currently, there is no forensic or testimonial evidence strong enough to implicate the MPs, so no cases have been opened against them. The MP election cases where the official was involved have already been adjudicated.
When asked if the fraudulent official’s involvement might require reopening or reviewing the MP election cases, as it could mean the Commission received inaccurate information, Mr. Sitthichot said no reviews are underway. There is no sufficient cause or evidence to open new investigations. The complaints against the MPs have been concluded, and the new financial evidence related to the official does not yet justify opening cases against those behind the scenes.