Anti-Graft Probe of 15 People’s Party MPs Could Trigger Delays, By-Elections

The Thailand National Anti-Corruption Commission has opened a formal review of 15 People’s Party candidates, a move that could upend party lists and stall key local initiatives if it leads to late-stage disqualifications.

Key Takeaways

• Review Date: The NACC panel convenes on 9 February to decide whether to advance allegations tied to a Section 112 amendment proposal.

• Who’s Involved: 12 are on the party-list slate—among them Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and Sirikanya Tansakun—and 3 are running in constituencies in Bangkok and Chon Buri.

• Possible Sanctions: A criminal referral could trigger up to a 10-year ban from holding office and an immediate suspension from the campaign.

• Local Fallout: District-level budgets and by-elections may follow if sitting candidates are removed, delaying projects from road upgrades to school expansions.

Roots of the Investigation

Back in mid-2023, 44 former Move Forward MPs collectively backed a draft to soften Thailand’s royal defamation statute, Section 112. That action never cleared parliament, but a private complaint accused them of breaching their oath to safeguard the monarchy. Since the Constitutional Court dissolved Move Forward last year, its ex-members regrouped under the newly registered People’s Party. Only 15 faces from that original group are now on the 2026 ballot, and the NACC’s vote will determine if those signatures are viewed as routine support or a violation warranting prosecution.

Campaign Disruption Risks

With ballots already printed for many provinces, a late-stage ruling could force rapid candidate swaps—especially on the nationwide party list, where names appear in order. Political operatives warn that scrambling replacements under tight deadlines may confuse voters and hamper turnout. For three constituency races—two in inner Bangkok and one in Chon Buri—potential by-elections could follow, necessitating fresh logistics and extra costs for local election offices.

What This Means for Residents

Local communities stand to feel the ripple effects:

• Infrastructure Delays: Approved allotments for municipal road repairs and flood-control pumps may be held up if offices lack elected representatives to sign off on contracts.

• Welfare Rollouts: Subsidy programs for low-income households and aging populations could see slower disbursement without lawmakers in place to liaise with central ministries.

• Voter Confusion: Those in the affected districts of Bangkok and Chon Buri should monitor the Election Commission’s website for any shifts in candidate lists or polling-station assignments.

Market and Policy Outlook

Business groups keep a close eye on political stability as a barometer for foreign direct investment. In past episodes of candidate suspensions, the Thai baht slipped as much as 0.5% in a single session, and stock market volatility picked up. Additionally, advocates of an expanded digital nomad visa—championed by People’s Party backers—may find their reforms stalled if parliamentary strength erodes. Property developers and financial planners are already factoring in potential delays to legislation on real-estate tax incentives and retail sector liberalization.

Next Steps in the NACC Process

The five-member commission meets on 9 February behind closed doors. A simple majority will send the case to the Attorney-General’s Office.

If the file advances, the AG has 30 days to decide on a criminal referral to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.

Under Thai election law, any candidate formally charged is immediately suspended, losing campaign rights until the final verdict—often a year or more.

Convictions carry up to 10 years of political disenfranchisement and possible imprisonment for malfeasance.

Every Thai voter and business stakeholder should track the NACC’s decision closely. A verdict against these 15 candidates won’t just shift party tallies; it may postpone critical infrastructure contracts and social programs that communities across the country are relying on.