A startling bribery allegation surfaced in parliament this week as two People’s Party MPs from Khon Kaen told colleagues they had been offered ฿10 million to sway votes on the now-withdrawn Entertainment Complex Bill and to influence the 2026 budget. The claim — that a mysterious woman approached them in June with staged payments tied to different voting stages — prompted swift calls for clarification and an appeal for formal police action from the government’s chief whip. The episode has raised renewed concerns about political corruption, the integrity of parliamentary processes and the need for transparent investigations.
The MPs say the offer was structured across multiple steps tied to legislative milestones: an initial ฿4 million for signing an agreement, ฿3 million after the first reading, and another ฿3 million if the bills were ultimately defeated — bringing the total to ฿10 million. The Entertainment Complex Bill, linked to proposals on casino gambling and budget considerations for 2026, was later withdrawn, but the allegations and subsequent public discussion have kept the matter in the spotlight. Officials and opposition alike are watching as the parties involved urge clear reporting and evidence submission to the authorities.
Parliamentary leaders stressed the seriousness of the charge. While the MPs maintain they refused the money and reiterated their loyalty to voters, government figures urged them to file formal complaints so law enforcement bodies can act. Audio snippets and social media chatter have circulated alongside the claims, but senior MPs and ethics officials have urged caution, saying vague or partial evidence risks doing more harm to public trust than the allegations themselves.
People’s Party MPs Report ฿10 Million Bribe Offer
Two People’s Party MPs, Chatchawan Apirakmankong and Weeranan Huadsri, gave detailed accounts in parliament of how they were allegedly approached in June by a woman claiming connections to higher political circles. They described a staged payment plan intended to secure their support — or lack of opposition — for the Entertainment Complex Bill and related budget votes. According to their testimony, the contacts began with a phone call and a meeting over coffee, during which the woman laid out the cash offer and the conditions tied to different voting stages.
Both MPs framed the approach as not just an attempt at simple inducement but a calculated scheme targeting specific legislative outcomes. Mr. Weeranan said he first received a suspicious call on June 22 and later met the woman and her associates before refusing the offer. Mr. Chatchawan recounted being contacted through a Facebook friend and said he was immediately suspicious, noting the caller suggested her supervisor was someone “higher than an MP” referred to only as “Mr. S.”
They also said the pattern suggested the money being offered might ultimately come from public coffers rather than private donors, intensifying the political stakes. The alleged structure — ฿4 million for agreement, ฿3 million for voting against the first reading, and ฿3 million for final bill defeat — was presented as evidence of a deliberate attempt to shape parliamentary votes at multiple stages rather than a one-off bribe.
Khon Kaen MPs Reject Bribes, Provide Evidence
Both Khon Kaen MPs insisted they refused the offers outright and emphasized that their loyalty lies with constituents rather than monetary inducements. They publicly rejected the cash and said no contracts were signed, stressing their ongoing commitment to represent local interests and to behave with integrity. Their statements were aimed at reassuring voters and discouraging speculation that any votes had been improperly influenced.
To support their claims and enable an investigation, the MPs handed over phone records and video clips they said documented the contacts. They also reported that similar approaches had been made to at least one other MP in Nonthaburi, who likewise did not sign any documents. The MPs said they delayed going public until they could gather evidence and choose a moment when public scrutiny could help ensure transparency in any probe.
There was, however, concern within the People’s Party and among ethics overseers that some elements of the story could be part of a sting or a plot to discredit the party. Deputies and party leaders — including parliamentary performers and the deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakul — had discussed the matter internally in June, highlighting the sensitivity of the allegations and the need to handle them carefully to avoid politicisation.
Chief Whip Urges Police Probe to Guard Democracy
Pheu Thai MP and government Chief Whip Wisut Chainarun took to the floor and to the media to demand the MPs file formal complaints with law enforcement, naming both the Royal Thai Police and the Department of Special Investigation as appropriate channels. He criticised the delay in reporting to authorities, warned against vague public accusations, and called on citizens and MPs to present clear evidence so investigators can follow up. “If you ask who called, I don’t know. If you don’t know, how could I?” he said, pressing for specifics rather than rumour.
Mr. Wisut also sought to dampen speculation about involvement by the Pheu Thai-led coalition, arguing that the government already commands sufficient votes and therefore has no need to buy support. He suggested the episode could involve scammers or a plot to tarnish reputations and stressed that unfounded or unclear claims risk undermining public confidence in democratic institutions. As a member of the House Ethics Committee, he pledged to follow up on any verified wrongdoing and invited MPs to submit evidence so proper investigations could proceed.
Ethics officials echoed the call for clarity, noting that circulating audio clips were often unintelligible and could inflame public distrust if not corroborated. The chief whip urged courage from MPs to come forward with full details and documentation, warning that vague allegations do more damage than transparency. With formal reports and tangible evidence now reportedly in the hands of investigators, the coming days will determine whether the episode becomes a criminal inquiry, an ethics investigation, or a broader political controversy that tests public confidence in Thailand’s parliamentary processes.
The ฿10 million bribery allegation has thrust questions of political integrity and process into the spotlight, with two Khon Kaen MPs standing by their refusals and providing material to investigators. Government leaders, while defending the coalition’s legitimacy, have urged prompt formal reporting so law enforcement can assess the claims and preserve public trust. As authorities review the evidence, the outcome will matter not only for the individuals involved but for broader perceptions of accountability and democratic resilience in the lead-up to future legislative debate.
