Corruption Watchdog Asked to Probe Thailand’s Digital Wallet Scheme
THAILAND — A group of political activists filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) today, urging an investigation into the former Srettha Thavisin Cabinet, the current administration, and legislators over their approval of the controversial digital wallet program.
The activists argue that diverting funds previously allocated for other purposes to finance the populist digital wallet initiative could violate Section 144 of the Constitution and Section 88 of the anti-corruption law.
Former Democrat MP Charnchai Isarasenarak pointed out that while the 2025 fiscal budget bill passed its first reading in Parliament, the Cabinet later decided to reallocate 35 billion baht from public debt repayments to support the digital wallet scheme instead.
Jade Donavanik, a former constitutional drafter, noted that if evidence supports allegations of constitutional breaches by former Prime Minister Srettha, his Cabinet, the current Cabinet, MPs, and senators, the NACC should escalate the case to the Constitutional Court for review.
Acknowledging the complexity of the case, former senator Somchai Sawangkarn said that although it presents new legal territory, the NACC has a duty to determine whether the actions of the two administrations and lawmakers were lawful.
The NACC has yet to announce whether it will open a formal investigation.
