Ex-EC member posts photos of financial statements from 18 parties, questions commission’s integrity
Former member of the Election Commission (EC) Somchai Srisutthiyakorn has posted photos on Facebook of financial statements that he claims 18 parties, including the Future Forward Party, sent to the EC in May 2019 showing the number of loans made by each party, and questioned the integrity of the commission.
He wrote in his post that according to Thailand’s organic law on political parties, parties cannot request loans to facilitate political activities. He alleged that Future Forward is not the only party that has been involved with loans.
The documents allegedly show that the Power of Faith Party loaned Bt300,000, Thai Nation Power Party Bt113,988, Ruam Jai Thai Party Bt45,697.86, Cooperative Power Party Bt226,000, Muangthai Khong Rao Party Bt542,750, Phue Cheevitmai Party Bt50,000, Thai Teacher for People Party Bt542,125, Thai Local Power Party Bt1,427,000, New Democracy Party Bt4,216,600 and Chart Pattana Party Bt2 million.
Future Forward Party members allegedly asked its head for loans totalling Bt161.2 million, Democratic Force Party Bt5,584,290, Thai Raksa Chart Party Bt1,738,868.92, Palang Thai Rak Chart Party Bt85,000 and Thai Morality Party Bt1,000, whereas Action Coalition for Thailand asked for a Bt5-million loan from acquaintances, People Wage Party asked for a Bt822,183.70 loan from its committee and Thai Rak Tham Party asked for a Bt4.376-million loan from its board.