Legality of People”s Party donations queried after windfall

A board shows the amount of donations for the People's Party at its event in Pathumwan district, Bangkok, on Aug 10. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)
A panel shows the amount of funds for the Women’s Party at its occurrence in Pathumwan area, Bangkok, on Aug 10. ( Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut )

A judge of the Constitutional Court questioned the legitimacy of the People’s Party ( PP ) launch fundraising.

After the function, in which the group managed to bring in at least 17 million ringgit in supporters ‘ gifts, Judge Udom Sittiwirattham said legitimate concerns have arisen.

The judge said at a seminar on the role of the Constitutional Court in protecting people’s rights and freedoms that it was unclear whether the PP, which was resurrected from the dissolved Move Forward Party ( MFP), was legally permitted to receive donations before it had been officially registered.

The court’s note was featured in a Twitter post by customer Tanyatorn Rojmahamongkol.

The Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party was previously known as PP. Although the PP has been requesting gifts, the rebranding has not yet been officially announced. But, it is unclear what group the contribution records were issued under.

Mr. Udom reported learning that the PP was receiving funds from an ancient bank accounts that allegedly held by the Thin Kakao Chaovaliai Party.

The prosecutor said this state needs to be verified.

The PP reported that it had submitted documents requesting the PP’s official change to the Election Commission (EC ), but the request has not yet been approved. If so, the PP’s creation will need to be made public in the Royal Gazette for the enrollment process to remain lawful.

Since its launch on August 9th, the PP has registered more than 33, 000 people and raised at least 17 million ringgit in less than a time.

The dissolved MFP’s Members took over Thin Kakao Chaovilai and changed its name to the PP.

Mr Udom said the MFP breakdown was not all bad information, given the latest funding. ” They’ve obtained thousands of ringgit in a couple of days”, the prosecutor said half-jokingly. ” Before that, the]MFP] did n’t have ]that much ] money. That’s why they might like to bless me for it”, he added.

He advised MFP followers to take a moment to indicate on the group’s future. The MFP was ordered to be disbanded on August 7 because it had allegedly attempted to overthrow the democratic king.

The judge cited the group’s proposal to amend Part 112 of the Criminal Code, or the der majeste law, during its campaign for the May 14, 2023 election, and expression of intent to alter the law through some social activities and channels.

Mr. Udom noted that the PP’s supporters had been vocal about the breakdown, but 24 hours later, when the news broke about its birth and subsequent donation channel, they were unfazed.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee promised last week to investigate the allegations that the PP perhaps have broken the law by operating as a party quickly pending proper identification.

He claimed that the Thin Kakao Chaovilai Party’s bank accounts might be used, but it could not collect donations in its own name without first obtaining official recognition.