Ex-Supreme Court judge takes EC hot seat as Pheu Thai-Bhumjaithai rivalry escalates

Former Supreme Court judge Narong Klanwarin has been chosen by an overwhelming majority to join the Election Commission (EC), stepping into the role at a time when the poll watchdog is dealing with cases that could reshape Thailand’s political landscape.

The commission has become the battleground in a fierce contest between the ruling Pheu Thai Party and its coalition partner-turned-rival, the Bhumjaithai Party, as both seek to influence the appointment of the replacements of four commissioners due to retire later this year.

Last month, the Senate approved Narong’s nomination to replace former election commissioner Pakorn Mahannop, 70, who retired in February.

Narong, 65, secured the chamber’s endorsement with 165 votes in favour, one against and 20 abstentions. He will officially assume his post once he receives royal endorsement.

The vote went ahead despite attempts by a group of senators, led by Nantana Nantavaropas, to delay the decision until after an investigation into alleged Senate election-rigging is concluded.

From court to commission

Narong’s path to the EC began in April, when he was nominated by the Supreme Court with the backing of 134 out of 190 judges. The simple majority was enough for him to secure his candidacy.

A law graduate from Ramkhamhaeng University in 1982, Narong obtained his licence from the Thai Bar Association the following year, before earning a master’s degree in public administration from NIDA in 1996.

Over nearly four decades in the judiciary, he rose through the ranks, becoming presiding judge at the Court of Appeal (2015 to 2016); presiding judge at the Specialised Appeals Court (2016 to 2018); and deputy president of the same court from October 2018 to September 2019.

He then served as chief judge at the Central Bankruptcy Court until September 2021, before being appointed to the Supreme Court, where he became presiding judge in 2023.

EC under fire

Narong takes his seat amid mounting pressure on the EC over its handling of the allegations of election-rigging involving 138 senators and 91 senior officials, including executives of Bhumjaithai.

The controversy stems from the 2024 Senate election, in which more than 40,000 candidates voted among themselves at the district, provincial and national levels to select 200 senators.

The poll was marred by allegations of fraud and manipulation, with more than half of the successful candidates reportedly linked to Bhumjaithai.

In July, a joint EC and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) panel recommended that the 229 individuals face charges of electoral fraud.

If senior Bhumjaithai figures are implicated, the EC could ask the Constitutional Court to dissolve the party for undermining the political system.

Critics accuse the commission of dragging its feet, noting that more than eight months have passed without a resolution. The EC insists it is handling a “large amount of evidence and many witnesses”. In a statement last month, it stressed it was acting “quickly and carefully” in line with the law to ensure fairness to all parties.

Four more seats at stake

The EC comprises seven commissioners, appointed by the King on the Senate’s advice, each serving a single, non-renewable term of seven years. Five are nominated by a selection panel and two by the Supreme Court.

The selection panel includes the House Speaker, the opposition leader, the Supreme Court president, the Supreme Administrative Court president, and representatives of independent organisations.

Following Pakorn’s retirement, the EC now has six members, namely chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong, Prof Suntud Sirianuntapiboon, Lertviroj Kowattana, Thitichet Nuchanatta, Chai Nakhonchai, and Sittichote Intharawiset.

Ittiporn and Suntud are set to retire this month, while Lertviroj and Thitichet finish their terms in December. Chai, appointed in October 2023, and Sittichote, appointed in March 2024, will remain.

With four seats opening up, political parties are working hard to influence the appointments. Control of the EC could prove decisive ahead of the next general election, which may come as early as next year, given the ongoing political instability.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s suspension by the Constitutional Court on July 1, following a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, has further destabilised the government.

Analysts, however, note that both Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai enjoy strong ties with senators – connections that could determine who dominates the EC, and ultimately, who gains the upper hand in the 2027 election.