Bangkok: The Senate has given its approval for Phirasak Sombatthong to join the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) with a decisive majority vote of 138 to 2, while nominees Prakop Leenapesanan and Prachuap Tantinon were not approved.
According to Thai News Agency, the Senate meeting, led by President Mongkol Surachat, was convened to consider three candidates nominated for the NACC. The nominees included Prakop Leenapesanan, Deputy President of the Supreme Court; Phirasak Sombatthong, Attorney General of Region 2; and Prachuap Tantinon, an Independent Director at Siriwet Chanthaburi Public Company Limited. The Standing Committee on the Investigation of History, Conduct, and Ethical Behavior had presented its investigation report prior to the Senate's deliberations, which took place in a closed session.
The meeting transitioned to an open forum after nearly two hours, allowing for a secret ballot vote. The Senate approved Phirasak Sombatthong as an NACC member with 138 votes in favor, 2 against, and 13 abstentions.
In contrast, Prakop Leenapesanan did not receive the necessary approval, securing only 61 votes in favor with 60 votes against and 33 abstentions, falling short of the required 100 votes. Similarly, Prachuap Tantinon was not approved, receiving 14 votes in favor, 108 against, and 31 abstentions, also failing to meet the necessary vote threshold.