The life path of Ekarat Changlao, former Khon Kaen MP and witness in the Senate vote rigging case, features evidence still pending verification. This retraces his political journey and the cooperative scandal that led to his lifetime election ban.
On 14 Sep 2026 GMT+7, Narong Klanwarin, Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), and Lt. Pasaphon Siripakayaporn, Deputy Secretary-General of the EC, announced the results of a meeting where they resolved to file criminal charges and refer 77 individuals involved in the Senate (Senator) vote rigging investigation to the Supreme Court. The group includes 26 Senators, 36 eligible Senate voters, and 15 others. Notably, no party executives, MPs, or political officeholders were involved from seven allegations.
Prior to the EC press conference, former EC commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn revealed on his personal Facebook that Ekarat Changlao, referred to in the investigation as “Witness Code 16” (under Subcommittee 26), was a key witness who requested to reverse his earlier testimony. He claimed his previous statements were made under threats, coercion, and inducement to falsely implicate high-level leaders of the Bhumjaithai Party in the scheme.
This reversal of testimony reduces the strength of evidence against the blue-shirt party leaders and might be used as grounds for the court to dismiss related motions.
Ekarat Changlao is from Khon Kaen province and is currently 68 years old. He has served as Deputy Leader of the Kla Tham Party, former Khon Kaen MP, former party-list MP for Bhumjaithai Party, and former manager of the Khon Kaen Teachers' Savings Cooperative Limited.
Educational background.
Bachelor’s degree in Education (Educational Administration) from Loei Rajabhat University.
Master’s degree in Arts (Political Science) from Ramkhamhaeng University.
Doctorate in Philosophy (Public Administration) from Eastern Asia University.
He began his career as a teacher under Khon Kaen Municipality before moving to the Khon Kaen Teachers' Savings Cooperative, where he served as manager. He also engaged in real estate business through a housing development company called Nuengnakorn Co., Ltd.
His political journey started with his first election bid in 2007 as a Khon Kaen MP candidate for the Pra Paendin Party. In 2014, he was appointed a member of the National Reform Council (NRC). Later, from 2018 to 2022, he belonged to the Palang Pracharath Party, was elected Khon Kaen MP, and became a key leader overseeing the northeastern electoral area before leaving the party.
Between 2022 and 2025, he joined the Bhumjaithai Party and was successfully elected MP. In 2025, he moved to the Kla Tham Party as Deputy Leader but was suspended from office and barred from duties due to legal cases.
The case began in 2011 when, as manager of the Khon Kaen Teachers' Savings Cooperative, he was accused of embezzling and forging documents involving nearly 400 million baht. On 25 Nov 2019, the cooperative filed complaints with the Khon Kaen City Police Station, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), and the Criminal Court. Ekarat admitted the debt in writing.
In 2021, police requested his custody from the House Speaker to proceed with prosecution. On 25 Aug 2022, the Anti-Money Laundering Office ordered temporary asset seizure. The court later sentenced him to prison for embezzlement. On 9 Jul 2025, the House Speaker informed the assembly that the court ordered Ekarat to cease his MP duties.
His political career ended when the Supreme Court ruled him guilty of serious ethical violations in the corruption case, ordering his removal from MP office and lifetime disqualification from elections. Recently, his name resurfaced as a witness in the Senate vote rigging case.