Self-appointments and nepotism cited in committee
The disclosure of names for the selection committee for the Senate has revealed that many of them likely picked themselves and their relatives.
According to the disclosure of names put forward for the committee, formed for the election of senators by the junta National Council for Peace and Order, all are key members in the ruling body and its government.
They are Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister General Thanasak Patimaprakorn, former education minister Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda, Labor Minister Police General Adul Sangsingkeo and former President of National Legislative Assembly Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.
While the law prohibits them from picking themselves for a position, five members from the selection committee have become senators. They are Prajin, Chatchai, Thanasak, Narong and Adul.
Pornpeth resigned from the committee but he was picked as a senator and later became the President of the Senate.
However, for the members of committee who did not sit in the Senate, their relatives are named as senators. They are Admiral Sitthawat Wongsuwan, brother of Prawit, Air Marshall Chalermchai Krea-ngam, brother of Wissanu and Som Jatusripitak, brother of Somkid.