Palang Pracharath Party

The Pheu Thai Party has complained to the Election Commission (EC), accusing the Palang Pracharat Party of enjoying undue support from government figures and agencies.[22][23] Democrat Party leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, and others have called current cabinet ministers who are also party leaders to resign, citing possible potential conflicts of interests such as abusing government resources and budget allocation to gain an unfair advantage in the upcoming election.[24][21]

In response, Palang Pracharat party spokesman and Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister, Kobsak Pootrakool, assured that cabinet members will behave ethically and not abuse their authority.[21]

In November 2018, Prayut's cabinet approved an 86.9 billion baht cash handout package.[25] Critics responded by alleging that the cash handouts are an attempt at "using people's tax money to buy votes" in the upcoming elections.[26] The Election Commission also responded by announcing that it is looking into whether or not to open an investigation into this matter.

Palang Pracharat leader and Industry Minister, Uttama Savanayana, denied the allegations and said that the cash handouts are intended to help the poor and the needy.

Per the new constitution, the Election Commission was tasked with redrawing the country's constituency boundaries. However, as the EC was about to announce the new boundaries, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha invoked Section 44 to issue an order extending the announcement.[27][28][29] The order also exempted the new constituency boundaries from existing laws and guidelines. Previously, each district are only allowed to be drawn three different ways to prevent partisan gerrymandering. However, under Prayut's new order, the EC would be allowed to draw boundaries in any matter they wish.

This has prompted criticism from the Pheu Thai and Democrat Parties, as well as from a watchdog organization, Open Forum for Democracy Foundation.[30] They argue the delay's purpose is to enable the EC to draw maps that favor pro-junta parties, namely Palang Pracharat. Some journalists and commentators have compared this to gerrymandering in the United States, while others opined that the junta has already won the election.[31]

Election Commission chairman, Ittiporn Boonpracong, denied the allegations, citing his eye surgery as the cause of the delay.[32]

On November 29, the EC completed and released the new district constituencies.[33] Following the release, political parties and watchdog organizations stated that they found many instances of gerrymandering that would benefit the pro-junta Palang Pracharat Party.[34][35]

On December 19, Palang Pracharath held a 200-table dinner fundraiser raising 600 million baht.[36] During the event, an Isranews journalist obtained a photograph of the floor plan and confirmed its authenticity with event organizers. The map detailed the number of tables purchased by various individuals and organizations.[37] Among the organizations on the floor plan were the Finance Ministry, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and "Bangkok," which is widely believed to be the Bangkok municipal government.[38][39] This has raised concerns that state agencies were using taxpayers' money to aid the pro-junta party. Concerns were also raised that Palang Pracharath leaders, who are also currently serving as cabinet ministers, used their government positions to solicit funds, which would be illegal.

Others pointed out that the fundraiser was organized within a week after the ban on political activity was lifted. This would not have been possible unless the organizers had insider knowledge of when the ban would be lifted because the venue would have needed to be booked at least a month in advance.

According to the map, party leaders also purchased multiple tables at the fundraiser, also raising concerns. At 3 million baht per table, this would mean that leaders contributed more than the legal maximum of 10 million baht per individual to the party. Additionally, this raised concerns regarding the source of the money.

On this issue, former EC commissioner, Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, stated that if the party leaders used their personal funds to purchase the tables, they would need to be investigated for their unusually high wealth.[38][40][41] However, if they purchased tables for other individuals, in effect, hiding their identities in financial disclosures, they may be breaking election, bribery, and money laundering laws.

The Finance Ministry and Tourism Authority of Thailand has denied any links to the fundraiser dinner.[42] Meanwhile, party secretary-general and commerce minister, Sontirat Sontijirawong, stated the map is inauthentic and accused Isranews of spreading false news.[39]

After public outcry, the Election Commission confirmed that they are looking into the matter.[41]

Due to regulations, Palang Pracharath had to publicly release records within a month of the fundraiser. In late January, the party released records accounting for 90 million baht raised at the dinner.[43] The records revealed that most of the donations were either from recipients of government concessions (such as airport duty-free conglomerate King Power) or government contractors.

Palang Pracharath declined to answer questions on the floor plan names suspected of being government entities: Finance Ministry, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Bangkok municipal government.

According to the party, the other 532 million baht raised were paid for after the fundraising deadline, so those records will be published in the party's donors list at a later date.

In December, a Yasothon province resident alleged that people attempting to collect their state welfare cards were given documentation and forced to join the Palang Pracharath Party. Officials told them that if they refused to join the party, they would not receive state welfare cards. However, if they did, they would also be given 100 baht to assist with transportation.[44][41]

Palang Pracharath denied any links to state welfare card distribution. The Election Commission stated that they are also looking into this matter.

In late January 2019, Nattawut Saikua, a Thai Raksa Chart politician raised concerns about Palang Pracharath using state welfare cards to solicit support from voters. He cited several reports of state welfare card owners receiving phone calls from individuals asking them to vote for Palang Pracharath to ensure continued support for the program. Nattawut believes that these individuals are either government workers or linked to the government in some manner because of their access to records of card holders.[45]