Abhisit criticized the government for transferring senior civil servants to build political power bases and warned the Election Commission that the Senate vote-rigging case reflects a crisis of trust in Thailand’s oversight system.
On 20 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, said the bureaucracy is being turned into a political power base. Civil servants lack professionalism to provide straightforward advice. Worse, corruption issues like cheating in local civil service entrance exams underscore the collapse of ethical standards, harming the morale of honest workers and potentially becoming a major obstacle to joining the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which highly values transparency.
Warning to the Election Commission Reflecting a Crisis of Trust
Regarding the Election Commission (EC) preparing to decide on the Senate election case, which opposition parties allege involved collusion and organized wrongdoing, Abhisit said that questions about the EC’s transparency highlight a crisis of trust in the country’s oversight system. The Senate directly appoints independent agency members, and many EC members were appointed by this Senate, raising concerns about conflicts of interest. If the EC dismisses the complaint or declines to prosecute, society might reject the decision, since evidence from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and civil society clearly shows voting patterns matching the alleged collusion. Should the EC choose not to refer the case to the Supreme Court despite such clear facts and evidence, it must be held accountable for its explanation. Meanwhile, the opposition has the duty to reveal the truth and legally scrutinize the case with all sectors moving forward.