Lawmaker Denies Misconduct Claims Over Deputy Appointment
Samut Prakan MP Panida Mongkolswat denies abuse of authority claims over appointing former election commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn to a parliamentary subcommittee, saying the appointment followed proper procedures and Somchai was never
On July 11, 2569, Panida Mongkolswat, Samut Prakan MP from the Pheu Thai Party, posted on Facebook addressing allegations of abuse of authority and serious ethical violations concerning her appointment of Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, a former election commissioner, as the third deputy chair of a subcommittee on parliamentary election procedures. She said someone filed a complaint on July 9, 2569, with investigators at Thung Song Hong Police Station, claiming she should have known that Somchai was dismissed from his election commission post in 2561 (2018). Panida provided the following facts: First, she thoroughly investigated Somchai's background and found that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Head's Order 4/2561 of March 20, 2018, which terminated his duties, was an exercise of special authority under Section 44 of the NCPO Charter—not a dismissal for corruption. Somchai was never prosecuted, never charged, and has no court conviction of wrongdoing. Election Commission Secretary Sawaeng Boonmee officially stated on December 22, 2566, that the NCPO order did not constitute a disqualifying factor under election law because it was merely a termination of duties, not a dismissal for misconduct. Somchai has been a candidate for parliament in 2562 and 2566 and for the Senate in 2567, and the Election Commission certified his eligibility each time. He has also held various positions in parliament, including parliamentary assistant and committee roles. Second, Somchai's appointment as a subcommittee member was a resolution passed by the full subcommittee through proper nomination and voting procedures, not a unilateral decision. Third, parliamentary committee and subcommittee appointments are governed by standing orders of parliament, which contain no specific qualifications or disqualifying criteria for committee members. Panida stated: "I confirm that every step of Professor Somchai's appointment followed the correct parliamentary process, approved by committee resolutions, and complies with the law. I am willing and ready to clarify all procedures to investigators and relevant agencies." She noted that the complaint was filed while she was investigating a Senate election probe involving related parties.
