The image of the Senate has been cast in a bad light with news that two senators will be summoned by a Lower House committee to explain their involvement with a police corporal who won jobs at the Royal Thai Police and the Internal Security Operations Command's (Isoc) Region 4, allegedly through nepotism.
If these senators are found to have helped this policewoman, it will be humiliating for Upper House's image.
Earlier, the Senate's foot-dragging stance when asked to probe the accused senators raised many eyebrows.
On Monday, deputy House speaker and chairman of the Senate's committee on ethical standards, Gen Singsuek Singprai, was reported to have rejected a petition asking for an investigation into the senators involved with Pol Cpl Kornsasi Buayaem, 43.
The petition was filed by former Democrat MP, Watchara Phetthong. The Upper House earlier announced it would conduct an internal probe without giving much detail. Pol Cpl Kornsasi is a criminal suspect facing several charges including physical assault and human trafficking after her maid told police the suspect tortured her. Yet physical assault is just one aspect of the troubling case.
According to media reports, Pol Cpl Kornsasi is a lover of a senator who helped her get work at the Royal Thai Police and Isoc Region 4. She was supposedly assigned to the dangerous southern provinces but did not go. Pol Cpl Kornsasi is also said to have arranged for the maid to get a Royal Thai Army job, and had the army assign the maid as a servant at her home.
Yet the Senate seems to be out of sync with the magnitude of this case and its effect on the image of the Upper House. "The petition did not provide names of accused senators; therefore, we have nothing to follow up. We cannot assume the accused are senators," Gen Singsuek was quoted as telling the media.
"If the accused turn out not to be senators, who will be responsible? Will anyone apologise to the accused senators?" he added.
Mr Watchara was told to return with names and more evidence, so the Senate's ethical committee can start its probe. The process will take 60 days to complete, with an extension of another 60 days.
It is understandable that Gen Singsuek is trying to uphold investigative standards. But Mr Watchara does not have entirely empty accusations. Pol Cpl Kornsasi since 2019 has worked as an adviser to the Senate committee on tackling corruption and promoting good governance. That means a senator had to approve her position.
The House committee on corruption on Wednesday summoned senators Thani Onlaied and Adm Sitthawat Wongsuwon, former chairman of the now-defunct National Legislative Assembly's legal affairs committee, and Patcharawat Wongsuwon, a former member of the committee, for questioning in connection with the case.
The move by the House committee led by MPs from the opposition party is praiseworthy. The committee must treat the three fairly and impartially. Society must listen to all sides as it weighs up the claims.
Meanwhile, the Senate must quickly speed up its own probe, and must not be reluctant to hold the senators to account if they are found to be involved in nepotism or to have breached any laws.
Senators not only have a duty to pass laws in parliament. They are duty bound to protect the image and accountability of the Upper House. So, if there are a few rotten apples, the Senate must not hesitate to get rid of them.
