National —
At 10:00 AM, on September 11th, 2024, Dr. Warong Dechgitvigrom, the Chief Advisor of the Thai Pakdee Party, submitted a petition to the Election Commission (EC) requesting an investigation into two key issues regarding former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s alleged influence over the Pheu Thai Party.
The first issue concerns a potential violation of Section 29 of the 2017 Political Party Act, which prohibits external control over a political party. The second issue relates to Section 28 of the same law, which forbids parties from allowing non-members to exert control or influence over them.
Dr. Warong stated that he felt compelled to file the complaint due to the significant impact of such influence on Thai politics. He expressed concern that if left unchecked, these actions could undermine public trust and the legal system.
He called on the EC to forward the case to the Thai Constitutional Court to consider dissolving the Pheu Thai Party, arguing that this would protect the interests of the people and uphold the rule of law.
Three specific incidents were highlighted in the complaint:
- August 14 Meeting: Thaksin allegedly convened a meeting with Pheu Thai Party leaders, including Chaikasem Nitisiri, to discuss the formation of a new government. This meeting took place after the Constitutional Court disqualified Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Although Pheu Thai later selected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its prime ministerial candidate, Dr. Warong argues that Thaksin’s involvement in the August 14th meeting constitutes improper influence over the party’s decisions.
- August 20th Interview: Thaksin commented in a media interview on whether Paetongtarn, his daughter and the Pheu Thai leader, should also serve as Defense Minister. Although he dismissed the idea, his comments were seen as an attempt to influence party decisions. Thaksin later jokingly remarked that he was not “dominating” the party but “possessing” it—a statement Dr. Warong views as even more concerning, indicating that Thaksin exerts ownership-like control over the party.
- Coalition Formation: Thaksin also expressed opinions on which parties should join a Pheu Thai-led government. Dr. Warong pointed out that Thaksin’s remarks, particularly concerning the Democrat Party and internal conflicts within the Palang Pracharath Party, appear to have directly influenced the final composition of the ruling coalition, further demonstrating his undue control over Pheu Thai.
Dr. Warong warned that allowing such influence could have dangerous consequences for the country. He emphasized that Pheu Thai’s compliance with Thaksin’s directives shows a clear violation of political party laws and could lead to the party’s dissolution by the Constitutional Court.
When asked whether his petition might be seen as part of a broader legal campaign against the government, Dr. Warong dismissed the notion, asserting that his actions are in line with democratic principles, which include the right to scrutiny and checks and balances. He added that criticism of his petition as “lawfare” reflects a fear of accountability among those who seek to avoid scrutiny.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
