Last week, the Senate's ethics committee completed the long-awaited probe which could either help or hurt the Upper House's image.
The investigation focused on senator Thani Onlahiad followed a petition lodged in early September by ex-Democrat MP Watchara Phetthong. He accused the senator of abusing his power in helping his assistant with her career.
Mr Watchara also accused the divorced senator of having an intimate relationship with the assistant, Pol Cpl Kornsasi Buayaem, a 43-year-old official who is facing human trafficking charges after illegally detaining, abusing and forcing her maid, for whom she secured a military job, to work.
Lest the public forget, the news of Pol Cpl Kornsasi -- whom the media also referred to as "Jay Nuch" -- shocked the country four months ago. But the physical abuse wasn't the only thing that made many people drop their jaws in disbelief; rather, it was how she managed to be recruited into the Royal Thai Police and secured a transfer to the Internal Security Operations Command's (Isoc) Region 4 office, which oversees the restive southern provinces.
After her arrest in late August, she told assistant national police chief, Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, that she managed to secure the position with the help of a phu yai -- "a senior figure" -- back in 2017.
She received monthly remunerations for her position in Isoc Region 4, even though she did not perform her duties as expected, as she never moved anywhere near the South.
It remains a mystery how she managed to secure a military job for her maid and how she managed to bring her from the barracks to serve at her private home. Pol Cpl Kornsasi graduated with a vocational certificate in accounting in Ratchaburi before beginning her civil servant career. She was recruited by the senator as his assistant in 2019.
The public must note that the conclusion of the probe isn't the only thing that matters, as the way the probe's results are handled by the Senate will also make a difference.
This week, the probe's results will be forwarded to the Senate's president. The Upper House will convene a meeting early next year to reveal the findings of the Senate's ethics committee. However, all senators will still have to decide if they endorse the probe, as well as the steps they will take against the embattled senator.
The question now is, how much will the Senate reveal to the public?
Because the probe touched on much classified information, such as documents which show the names of those who approved her recruitment, as well as statements by Mr Watchara and Pol Cpl Kornsasi, it is likely that the Senate will meet behind closed doors, as opposed to public session as it would normally.
If that turns out to be the case, it would be a big disappointment for those who have waited so long to see how the Upper House will deal with the abuse case.
By not revealing much, the Senate would be squandering a valuable opportunity to boost transparency in society. As such, it is hoped the Senate will use this opportunity to prove that it is a political institution that people can rely on.
While the Senate will face an arduous task, society and the media must not forget that other agencies involved with her recruitment -- the RTP, Royal Thai Army and Isoc -- have yet to reveal names or outcomes of probes to find out the identity of the phu yai who backed Pol Cpl Kornsasi. It would be a shame if they choose to stay silent.
