Senator Keskamol Pleansamai faces legal action after the Election Commission (EC) ruled that she violated the law by falsely using the title ‘professor’ in her application. If found guilty, she could be imprisoned for up to 10 years and banned from standing for political office for 20 years.

The Constitutional Court yesterday (1 July) rejected a petition filed against the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), the Bhumjaithai Party, and 138 senators over alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election.

After taking office less than a year ago, the Senate has been put in the hot seat over allegations of collusion in last year’s Senate election. So what do we know about the case?

Former Prachatai editor-in-chief Tewarit Maneechai has been accused by the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) of running in the senate election while ineligible, after it claimed that he does not have 10 years of work experience in journalism.

The outgoing Senate voted 101 to 10 on Monday (8 July) to form an ad-hoc committee to investigate the Senate election, claiming several irregularities during the election, including vote manipulation.

After an almost two-week delay, the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) has not announced the certified results of the 26 June Senate election.

Criticised for being undemocratic and overly complicated, Thailand's Senate election concluded with the national-level selection on 26 June. Voranai Vanijaka writes that it failed at completing its purpose, allegedly to prevent vote buying and maintain the Senate's independence from political parties, and that it is a reminder that although Thailand is no longer under a dictatorship, the dictator’s legacy continues to rule.

Due to concerns about vote manipulation, senate candidates have called on the Election Commission (EC) to suspend the Senate election results and thoroughly review the qualifications of the newly elected senators.

The Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday (18 June) that the 2018 Organic Act on the Acquisition of Senators does not violate the Constitution.

Auttapon Srichitsanuwaranon, a mobility-impaired disability rights activist and senate candidate, has submitted an open letter to the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) urging that the selection of polling stations for the Senate election be accessible to all groups of people.

Four high-profile political cases will be the subject of court hearings next week. They have the potential to decide the fate of Thailand and include petitions to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and to dissolve the progressive Move Forward Party.

After the first round of the Senate election concluded, the Election Commission (EC) has come under criticism for lacking clear and uniform standards in the election process.