Department to Focus Solely on Money Laundering Investigations
PUBLISHED: March 7, 2025, at 06:34
The Department of Special Investigation’s (DSI) special cases board has opted to investigate allegations of money laundering while declining to probe claims of criminal association linked to last year’s Senate election.
During a meeting in which Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai presided, the board decided against pursuing alleged election collusion and instead focused on findings that suggested over 300 million baht was spent to inappropriately influence votes, violations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
The board’s vote revealed a majority support for this investigation, with 11 members in favor and 4 against, and there were three abstentions.
Moving forward, DSI chief Pol Maj Yutthana Praedam will assemble a task force to investigate the money laundering allegations, which may involve asset freezing linked to the case.
Should subsequent evidence of criminal association arise during the investigation, the DSI will have the authority to expand its inquiry, sources indicated.
Issues relating to violations of Senate election laws will be addressed separately by the Election Commission.
Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong confirmed after the meeting that the DSI will collaborate with public prosecutors to facilitate an effective investigation.
DSI investigators are expected to summon suspects for questioning and trace the financial flows allegedly used in vote-fixing efforts.
In response to the investigation’s direction, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul denied any connection to the DSI’s decision not to investigate criminal association, asserting that inquiries should be directed to the Justice Minister.
Anutin acknowledged a recent meeting between party founder Newin Chidchob and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra but dismissed speculation that it was aimed at resolving tensions between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and Bhumjaithai.
The two parties have faced growing discord over topics such as charter amendment referendums, casino complexes, and potential constitutional revisions.
Rumors suggest that the DSI’s focus on the Senate election collusion investigation may particularly target the “blue faction,” a group of senators affiliated with Bhumjaithai.
According to insights shared on social media by former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the money laundering investigation is expected to take approximately one year to complete.
