Bangkok: Senator Amnat Charoen has lodged a formal complaint with the Chairman of the Senate Independent Organization Committee, alleging unfair investigative practices by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Charoen, who has been under scrutiny, claims that the investigation was biased and specifically targeted the Bhumjaithai Party.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Col. Chatchawat Saengphet, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Independent Organizations under the Constitution, addressed concerns regarding the investigation of alleged collusion in the selection of Senators in Amnat Charoen Province. The DSI's actions have been criticized for not adhering to legal protocols, including the use of unofficial channels like Line for communication, which bypassed standard governmental procedures.
The investigation has been marred by allegations of procedural violations, such as not issuing proper summonses or coordinating with local authorities. Individuals involved claim they were not given adequate time to prepare for questioning and were subjected to prolonged interrogations, raising concerns of psychological coercion.
Further accusations include instances of DSI officials conducting home visits without appropriate identification or search warrants, which has been characterized as home invasion. The removal of CCTV cameras and alleged leading questions during interrogations have also been cited as tactics to coerce confessions.
The investigation is said to have involved political opponents who were allowed access to the investigative processes, compromising the neutrality of the investigation. There is a belief that the investigation was pre-emptively biased against certain political factions, particularly the Bhumjaithai Party.
Senator Charoen, along with 92 other senators, has resolved that the DSI's actions were intentionally aimed at implicating political figures in criminal activities. The matter has been escalated to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and the Constitutional Court for further scrutiny.
Pol. Lt. Col. Chatchawat emphasized the need for transparency and adherence to legal procedures by DSI officers. He called for a suspension of the investigation pending NACC's assessment of the DSI's jurisdictional authority.
The senator has urged colleagues from other provinces to document and report any similar investigative irregularities. He reiterated his willingness to cooperate with legitimate authorities and highlighted the importance of basing investigations on concrete evidence rather than hypothetical scenarios.
The case remains under review, with additional evidence submitted to the Constitutional Court and the NACC, and the outcome pending further evaluation by these bodies.