Bangkok: Reserve Senators submit NACC to investigate ethics of 92 Senators, file a complaint against "Phumtham-Thawee" to investigate collusion in selecting Senators, is an abuse of legislative power to interfere with permanent civil servants, and submit a request to the Constitutional Court to order Senators to be removed from office.
According to Thai News Agency, a group of reserve senators, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Khamrob Panyakaew, has filed a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) against 92 senators. These senators had previously filed a petition with the NACC against Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, and Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice and Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation. The complaint alleges improper collusion in the selection of senators, which is seen as an interference in the work of permanent civil servants and a violation of Section 185 (1) of the Constitution. The reserve senators are accusing these actions of serious ethical violations by politicians.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Khamrob stated that the roles held by Mr. Phumtham and Pol. Col. Thawee, despite being political officials, are akin to those of civil servants due to their positions as chairman and vice chairman of the Special Case Committee. He argues that their intervention in legal matters, purportedly for personal benefit, constitutes an offense under Section 185 (1) and potentially under Section 111 (7), which could result in the loss of their membership as senators due to ethical inadequacies.
Furthermore, Pol. Lt. Gen. Khamrob revealed that a lawsuit was previously filed with the Constitutional Court, which was dismissed. He plans to file another petition with the court, urging a rapid review and requesting that all 92 senators temporarily cease their duties. This action is to precede the appointment of independent organizations, scheduled for later this month.
When questioned about an audio clip allegedly involving monetary offers to influence the selection of a senator in Nakhon Phanom Province, Pol. Lt. Gen. Khamrob admitted to not possessing the clip directly. However, he acknowledged that other entities might hold such evidence, with investigations underway by the Election Commission and the Department of Special Investigation. While he is not privy to all details, which may be confidential, he confirmed that the audio clip did not originate from the reserve senators.