Bangkok rally to pressure EC before ruling on 229 Senate election suspects

The Internet Law Reform Dialogue, or iLaw, and the People’s Party are preparing a major march and rally in Bangkok on Sunday (September 13), seeking to pressure the Election Commission (EC) to prosecute all 229 people accused in the alleged collusion case surrounding the Senate election.

The campaign, called “People Speak Out: Prosecute 229”, will begin at iLaw’s office on Lat Phrao Soi 25 in the morning. Participants will march along Lat Phrao Road before gathering at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) at Pathum Wan intersection in the evening.

The mobilisation comes one day before the EC is due to consider the Senate election case on Monday (September 14).

Although organisers are not planning a prolonged protest, the event is being closely watched because it marks the direct participation of not only civil society groups such as iLaw, but also the People’s Party.

Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, a party-list MP and Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, has personally called on supporters to join the demonstration.

People’s Party returns to street politics

The event marks a return to street mobilisation for People’s Party MPs after several months in which the party had generally avoided joining demonstrations associated with the three-finger protest movement.

That caution reflected concerns that political opponents could use participation in street protests as grounds for legal action, particularly against party figures already facing cases or fighting charges, including those involving Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

The party’s decision to become directly involved this time therefore underlines the importance it attaches to the Senate election case.

Natthaphong and other senior party figures are expected to serve as key draws for supporters, bringing greater public attention both to the rally and to the EC’s handling of the allegations.

Turnout on Sunday could also influence the direction of subsequent campaigns. Previous seminars and disclosures concerning the case have struggled to generate broad public attention, prompting organisers to seek a more visible form of mobilisation.

If the march and rally attract crowds comparable with earlier anti-government demonstrations during the administration of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the mobilisation could significantly increase public pressure on the EC ahead of Monday’s decision.

A strong response on social media and widespread public attention to the case could further intensify scrutiny of the commission.

EC decision could determine next phase

The political temperature could rise sharply if the EC’s decision is perceived by critics as disproportionately targeting minor figures while allowing more influential individuals to escape action.

Particular attention is being paid to whether all 229 accused will face prosecution, following criticism of an earlier decision by the EC’s 36th adjudication committee. Critics questioned both its investigative approach and alleged personal connections between some committee members and people implicated in the case.

If Sunday’s rally successfully generates momentum and Monday’s ruling further fuels public dissatisfaction, organisers could seek to extend the campaign rather than allowing it to end after a single demonstration.

That could include the return of flash-mob style protests similar to those used during previous waves of political mobilisation.

The stated objective, however, is not to bring down the government. The immediate goal is to pressure the EC to move the cases against all 229 accused into judicial proceedings, where the allegations would ultimately be considered by the Supreme Court.

For figures associated with the “orange” political camp, having all 229 cases referred to court would represent an initial victory.

They argue that allowing the judicial process to determine the cases would inspire greater confidence than having the matter concluded within the EC.

Rally could test opposition mobilisation

The march will also serve as a test of whether the opposition and civil-society groups can once again mobilise large numbers of supporters.

A weak turnout could be interpreted by their political opponents as evidence that public enthusiasm for street mobilisation has faded.

A large turnout, however, could alter the political dynamics surrounding the Senate case, particularly if subsequent court proceedings begin to implicate more influential figures associated with the “blue” political camp.

Any widening of the case could also create political repercussions for the government, especially if allegations concerning the Senate election become an issue around which opposition parties, civil society and protest groups can unite.

The two days of September 13 and 14 will therefore be closely watched. Sunday will test the strength of public mobilisation, while Monday will put the Election Commission’s handling of the case under intense scrutiny.

Whatever the outcome, the aftermath could determine whether the campaign remains focused solely on pressuring an independent agency or develops into a broader political movement with consequences for the government itself.

Source: Krungthep Turakij