Senator Pisit urged the public to uphold legal principles and remain undeterred by iLaw’s ongoing disclosure of additional evidence involving Blue Senators. He called on the Election Commission to expedite proceedings on the Orange Senators’ cases as well. It is expected that Daeng and Somphan, two Senators from Amnat Charoen who canceled a field trip, will prepare to contest their cases after the Supreme Court accepted the petitions.
At 16:45 on 18 September 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Pisit Apiwatnapong, a Senator and spokesperson for the Senate Special Committee (Wipwut) on Senate activities, gave an interview at the Mercure Koh Chang Hideaway Hotel, Koh Chang District, Trat Province, regarding the Election Commission’s decision to prosecute those involved in the Senate vote-rigging case. He said that whether people are satisfied or dissatisfied is difficult to answer, but today we must adhere firmly to the law. We should not apply mob rule or arbitrary criteria. I urge the public to respect the law first. The Election Commission has already ruled that 26 Senators have been sent to the Supreme Court. We have cooperated all along and hope the public will uphold and respect the legal framework as set by the constitution.
Regarding the continuous disclosures by the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) and the People's Party (Prachachon), even though the Election Commission did not specify which witnesses were involved, was there any concern? Mr. Pisit said iLaw has been releasing information continuously, as has Mr. Yingcheep Achjanan and Mr. Parit Wacharasindhu, a People's Party MP, for over two months. We are not worried because, as I have said, the key is whether the information was obtained legally. If it was released unlawfully, then legal action must follow. The Election Commission should have rules and regulations to handle this accordingly.
When asked about the Election Commission’s refusal to accept the Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) case files for review, resulting in incomplete files, Mr. Pisit said this is at the EC’s discretion. DSI is a separate agency and is almost unrelated. Remember, the EC was responsible for organizing the Senate elections, so other agencies are unlikely to be involved.
Asked further about reports that the EC has yet to receive three case files related to Orange Senators, preventing investigation into money trail issues, and whether any demands would be made, Mr. Pisit said since those under investigation have fully cooperated, he hopes the EC will also act promptly. He is aware of three additional files, including those from iLaw and the Progressive Movement group, which organized provincial gatherings at the Jupiter meeting room in Muang Thong Thani, as well as other groups holding meetings elsewhere. He urged the EC to proceed fairly and swiftly.
Mr. Pisit added that during today’s Senate media tour project, 15 Senators traveled together. He did not know the reasons why some Senators canceled their trips, including Mrs. Daeng Kongma, and Mr. Somphan Palasak, Senators from Amnat Charoen, who were originally scheduled to attend but apparently had urgent matters preventing their travel. He had not spoken with them but understood they might prefer to avoid media attention.
When pressed if the reluctance to appear was related to the Supreme Court recently accepting a case regarding improper group registration, Mr. Pisit responded it was possible. They have already provided testimony to the EC but remain defendants as the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has accepted the case. He assumed they were preparing for this.
Regarding whether he had discussed the EC’s decision to prosecute 26 Senators with those named, Mr. Pisit said there had been some private conversations. Many were not yet clear on the specific charges since the EC’s announcement was broad and lacked detailed information.