Serial petitioner Srisuwan Janya has asked the Election Commission (EC) to seek the dissolution of the People’s Party over allegations that it was connected to Spectre C Co, a media company accused of running illegal information operations.
The move follows revelations by Tisana “Kaewta” Choonhavan, a former People’s Party MP for Bangkok, who alleged the party had conducted information operations (IO) aimed at influencing political discourse through Spectre C.
Ms Tisana, a granddaughter of former premier Chatchai Choonhavan, last week called on People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut to resign for the party’s poor performance in the Feb 8 election.
She denied allegations that her recent outspokenness stemmed from disappointment over not being fielded as a candidate in the election.
Mr Srisuwan said the Spectre C case has drawn widespread public criticism and extensive media scrutiny. The company operates out of the Future Forward Building, where the People’s Party headquarters are located, raising questions about whether party executives or members were linked to it or whether IO activities were carried out on behalf of the party, he said.
He said he had noticed that People’s Party executives, party-list candidates and MPs seemed to make an unusually high number of appearances on television and various media platforms.
The Constitution prohibits political parties and candidates from holding shares in media businesses. A number of politicians have been disqualified under the law, including Future Forward founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit because he held shares in a defunct travel magazine.
If Spectre C had been contracted for political operations, this could constitute a significant connection and a breach of the law, said Mr Srisuwan.
He has petitioned the Election Commission to look into possible violations of the Political Parties Act, as well as the Organic Act on Elections, which could empower the EC to seek party dissolution. (Story continues below)
High-profile petitioner Srisuwan Janya arrives at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Sept 17, 2025. He was sentenced to four years in prison for the attempted extortion of the director-general of the Rice Department, and is free on bail pending an appeal. (Bangkok Post file photo)
‘No party connection’
Pannika “Chor” Wanich, a spokeswoman for the Progressive Movement and campaign assistant to the People’s Party, has said the work of Spectre C was entirely separate from party activities and non-political.
Mr Srisuwan said he understood her defence but questioned her role within both the party and the company, given that she was given a lifetime ban from politics in 2023.
People’s Party representatives explained that Spectre C was established in early 2020 because of concerns that the Future Forward Party, the first iteration of the People’s Party, was going to be dissolved. The goal was to ensure job security for party employees.
They said Spectre C operated as a private company contracted by the party to produce media content for both the party and external clients, with employees also holding shares.
Ms Pannika called the claim that donation money was used to hire Spectre C for IO false and damaging. Party finances are strictly audited by the Election Commission, she said.
Parit Wacharasindhu, the People’s Party spokesman, also denied Ms Tisana’s allegations, saying the party had never hired any company or conducted any IO activities.
Responding to allegations that the fourth floor of the headquarters building housed a secret IO operations hub, he allowed media members to visit the site to dispel any doubts.
The offices of Spectre C are on the fifth floor of the building and are currently being renovated.
Spectre C was registered on Jan 14, 2020, with registered capital of 1.4 million baht, according to records at the Department of Business development.
Its core business was described as media and IT services, such as designing and producing infographics, videos and content for websites and social media, as well as legal and accounting services. The company produced electronic media for the Move Forward Party during its 2023 election campaign.
Its three directors were listed as Puttipong Ponganekkul, Supachai Siangchan and Kalyakorn Sriwareerat.
The company reported a net profit of 5.48 million baht for its financial year ending Dec 31, 2024.
Personal data concerns
Mr Srisuwan also asked the EC to investigate the membership registration form used by the People's Party, which required applicants to provide the “laser ID” at the back of their national ID card — a 12-digit confidential personal identifier.
He said this could violate Section 32 in conjunction with Section 25 of the Constitution, which prohibits the exploitation of personal data, as well as the Personal Data Protection Act.
He warned that misuse of personal data could lead to serious harm, including its use in fraudulent activities such as money laundering.
Mr Natthaphong has said that the data collection was lawfully authorised and the party used it solely for identity verification. Mr Srisuwan said it was up to the EC to determine whether any breach has occurred.
