Senate
- Thailand News
New senate sworn in: Election results ‘seal’ the deal on fresh faces
The new Senate was inaugurated yesterday, July 10, following the Election Commission’s certification of the 2024 Senate election results. The ceremony saw 200 elected senators and a reserve list of 100 approved, though controversy struck early when Senator-elect Kordiyah Song-ngam was temporarily suspended due to her advisory role to the president of the Ang Thong Provincial Administration Organisation. The newly…
- Thailand News
Election Commission seals deal: Senatorial results get green light
The Election Commission (EC) finally endorsed the results of the senatorial election. Despite initial delays and mounting complaints, the EC confirmed the election’s integrity and backed all 200 winners. The EC convened today, July 10, meeting from 9am to 2.30pm, to resolve the matter. Initially slated for an announcement on July 3, the endorsement was repeatedly postponed due to a…
- Thailand News
Outgoing Senate to fulfil duties until new members endorsed by EC
Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai affirmed that the outgoing Senate will continue its duties until the Election Commission (EC) officially endorses the 200 new senators. This statement comes amid questions from political analysts and senators-elect regarding the outgoing Senate’s role in reviewing the budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. Concerns have been raised about why the outgoing senators, whose terms…
- Thailand News
Ex-army general open to Senate Speaker role amid security focus
General Kriangkrai Srirak, who received the highest votes in the public administration and security professional group in last week’s Senate election, responded positively to speculation that he might become the Senate Speaker. Kriangkrai expressed yesterday that if the majority of the Senate members trusted him with the position of Senate Speaker, he would not hesitate to accept the role. However,…
- Politics News
EC clarifies Senate candidacy rules amid fraud allegations
The Election Commission (EC) has clarified that registering in incorrect professional groups is not necessarily an offence unless there is an intent to deceive officials and the public during the Senate election. This statement was made by EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee on Facebook yesterday. The EC has faced significant scrutiny following the conclusion of the national Senate contest in Bangkok…
- Thailand News
Thai beautician tops senator votes with 79 votes
A 45 year old beautician emerged as one of the 200 newly elected senators, achieving the highest vote count with 79 votes. Her victory highlights a notable career in preventive medicine, skin and beauty expertise, and extensive advisory roles. Chinnachot Saengsang secured 77 votes, Police Lieutenant General Yutthana Thaiphakdi received 76 votes, General Kriangkrai Srirak garnered 74 votes, and Sopon…
- Thailand News
Senate election fraud claims spark call for investigation
Election manipulation allegations have surfaced in the recent Senate race, with claims that some candidates were favoured through collusion. Senator-elect Nanthana Nanthawarophas, representing a media professional group, stated that over 100 losing candidates intend to file a complaint with the Election Commission (EC), urging an investigation into suspected vote rigging. Nanthana highlighted that the top seven candidates with the highest…
- Thailand News
Human rights activist narrowly clinches Senate election
Renowned human rights activist and widow of kidnapped lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit, Angkhana Neelapaijit secured a seat in the Senate as a representative of the civil sector and NGOs. However, she has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the election process, alleging widespread fraud and vote manipulation in favour of certain candidates. In an impassioned statement, Angkhana claimed that the…
- Thailand News
Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat
Former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan faced an early exit in the first round of the national Senate elections yesterday, June 26. Despite his loss, Niwatthamrong, who served as caretaker prime minister following Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal by the Constitutional Court in 2013, remains unbowed and resolute. Niwatthamrong admitted that, like his fellow candidates, he had cast a vote for himself…
- Thailand News
EC under fire for broken livestream promise
Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw), unleashed a scathing critique against the Election Commission (EC) for failing to live up to its promise of livestreaming the crucial final round of senatorial election voting. “The EC had publicly promised that observers could follow the procedure on CCTV streamed from the halls. What we found, however, is…
- Thailand News
Senate bid: Ex-PM Somchai reveals the secret to his success
Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat revealed the key to his success in reaching the final round of the Senate election: His wife’s unwavering support. Upon arriving at Impact Arena in Mueang Thong Thani today to participate in the election, Somchai dispelled rumours that he had been chosen to lead the next Senate. He clarified that he was competing in the…
- Thailand News
EC urges Senate candidates to behave as final voting day nears
The Election Commission (EC) issued a stern warning to Senate election candidates regarding adherence to regulations as the final phase of voting takes place today. Some 2,995 candidates, who cleared the provincial-level selection process on June 16, are competing for 200 seats at Mueang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi. The official results will be announced on July 2. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng…
- Thailand News
Senators’ showdown: Bangkok hotel hosts candidate meetup
In a bustling gathering at Bangkok’s Amari Don Mueang Airport Hotel, over 500 hopefuls vying for senatorial seats met yesterday, June 24, for an event known as the Meeting of Independent Senate Candidates. This lively assembly saw candidates from across the nation converge, all eager to make their mark on the upcoming election. Sources revealed today that each attendee paid…
- Thailand News
Senate election to proceed despite 333 complaints, fraud concerns
Despite the Election Commission (EC) fielding over 300 complaints, including 39 cases related to potential fraud, the Senate election results will proceed as scheduled. EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonmee revealed that a total of 333 complaints have been lodged, with 90 involving accusations of corruption. Investigations into these complaints are expected to take significant time. A large portion of the complaints…
- Thailand News
EC clarifies Senate election vote exchange, downplays complaints
After questions arose regarding candidate vote exchange in the Senate elections, the Election Commission (EC) no longer deems wooing or exchanging votes in the Senate election as a breach. A petition challenging the initial restrictions on candidates’ election campaigning led the Administrative Court to rule against these restrictions on May 24, resulting in their repeal. EC Secretary-General Sawang Boonme addressed…
- Thailand News
Progressive Movement’s senate bid: Triumph or tragedy?
In a last-ditch effort to reshape Thailand’s political landscape, the Progressive Movement’s campaign to secure one-third of Senate seats and amend the junta-drafted 2017 Constitution is faltering as the election reaches its climax. Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit kicked off the campaign in April with a bold goal: securing 70 People’s Senators in the 200-member upper house. However, the initial…
- Thailand News
Senator demands probe into Buriram election irregularities
The Election Commission (EC) was urged to fast-track an investigation into suspected irregularities in the provincial-level Senate elections held over the weekend, particularly in Buriram where certain candidates received an unexpectedly high number of votes from their peers. On Sunday, 23,645 candidates who had cleared the district-level selection on June 9 participated in the provincial-level vote across 77 provinces. Out…
- Thailand News
Provincial Senate election tomorrow: Candidates must be punctual
The nationwide provincial-level Senate election will occur tomorrow, with the Election Commission (EC) urging candidates to arrive at polling stations punctually without introducing themselves during the vote. Election officials, led by EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee, inspected the Vayupak Convention Centre at the Centara Life Government Complex Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road in Lak Si district, a designated polling station for…
- Thailand News
US Senator blasts Thai government over MFP threat
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin voiced his alarm over the potential dissolution of Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP). He issued a stern warning to the Thai government, urging them to uphold democratic principles and avoid stifling political opposition. Taking to social media, Cardin expressed his concerns. “I am deeply concerned by developments in Thailand on the potential…
- Thailand News
Data breach of over 20,000 Senate applicants investigated
A major data breach involving personal information from over 20,000 applicants for the Senate election is under investigation by the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand. The leak occurred soon after the district-level voting on June 9. EC Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee confirmed that the data was compromised through file formats integrated into the system by an unidentified agency. The EC is…
- Thailand News
Court to review senate election law challenges
The Constitutional Court decided by an 8-1 vote to consider two petitions challenging the legality of key provisions in the law governing the election of the nation’s 200 new senators. The decision has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, raising questions about the upcoming senatorial elections. Despite agreeing to review the petitions, the court unanimously dismissed the petitioners’ call for…
- Thailand News
Sneaky senators: Hired votes spotted in upcoming election
As the upcoming Senate election round approaches, caretaker senator Somchai Swangkarn anticipates the revelation that certain individuals have been recruited solely to vote for candidates endorsed by specific political parties or interest groups. Somchai, who has consistently pointed out attempts to manipulate the Senate election outcomes, stated that a review of Sunday’s district-level voting results showed many applicants receiving no…
- Thailand News
Election Commission unanimously agrees on senator selection
All seven election commissioners have unanimously agreed to proceed with the district-level selection of senators tomorrow, despite looming legal uncertainties. Election Commission (EC) Secretary General Sawaeng Boonmee announced yesterday afternoon that the commissioners have collectively decided against postponing the selection, which had been suggested by the EC Office. “There is no reason to delay.” The proposed delay was rooted in…
- Thailand News
Election bombshell: Call for senator vote delay amid legal storm
Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn urged the Election Commission (EC) to halt the district-level selection of senators slated for this Sunday. Somchai insists it’s “better to be late than to rush ahead” before the Constitutional Court’s impending ruling. The Constitutional Court has accepted two petitions challenging the constitutionality of three provisions in the election law, and a decision date has…
- Thailand News
Over 2,000 applicants disqualified in senatorial election
The Election Commission (EC) has thrown over 2,000 hopefuls out of the senatorial race, leaving just over 46,000 contenders to vie for seats across the nation. The EC’s announcement of qualified candidates yesterday sent shockwaves through the political arena, with disqualified applicants given until Saturday to plead their case before the Supreme Court or provincial courts. Reasons for disqualification range…
- Thailand News
EC to comply with court ruling on Senate candidate profiles
The Election Commission (EC) has opted not to challenge a Central Administrative Court decision regarding a regulation that prevents Senate election candidates from sharing their profiles publicly. Sawang Boonmee, EC Secretary-General, confirmed yesterday, May 27, that the commission will not use the 30-day window to appeal the court’s decision. The Senate election regulations have been updated to align with the…
- Thailand News
Election chaos: Senate vote to proceed despite district drama
In a dramatic twist leading up to the senatorial election, Election Commission (EC) Secretary-General Sawaeng Boonmee announced yesterday that the upcoming senate vote will go ahead as scheduled, despite significant issues in some districts. Sawaeng confirmed that two districts had no applicants, while seven districts saw candidates emerging from just one of the 20 eligible occupational groups. Nevertheless, he reassured…
- Thailand News
70% of Thais clueless about upcoming senatorial elections
A new poll revealed that nearly a quarter of Thais are unaware of the upcoming senatorial elections, while a whopping 70% do not understand how the new election system works. This startling revelation comes as the nation prepares for elections from June 9 to 26, where thousands of candidates will vote among themselves to elect 200 senators. The poll, conducted…
- Thailand News
Over 31,000 apply for Thai Senate as 5-year term ends
Over 31,000 people have sought applications to become senators in the Thai Senate as the five-year term of 250 senators, installed by the defunct National Council for Peace and Order, concluded yesterday. The Election Commission (EC) anticipates approximately 100,000 applications for the 200 available senate positions. Thai nationals born in Thailand, who are at least 40 years old and possess…
- Politics News
Nearly 2,000 acquire Senate election application forms on first day
The Election Commission (EC) reported yesterday that nearly 2,000 individuals acquired application forms for the Senate election on the first day of distribution, which was on May 10. The documents and forms can be collected daily from district offices and provincial registration centres nationwide, between the hours of 8.30am and 4.30pm. Completed forms and necessary documents can be submitted at…
