Bangkok: Prasert Chantarawongthong, Secretary-General of the Pheu Thai Party, has firmly denied allegations implicating Pheu Thai MPs in online gambling activities, announcing plans to consider legal action against those making such claims. Prasert emphasized the importance of gathering information and expressed concern over a potential government move to dissolve Parliament ahead of a no-confidence debate.
According to Thai News Agency, Prasert responded to the recent disclosure of names of Pheu Thai MPs allegedly involved in online gambling by contacting the implicated individuals, all of whom denied the allegations. He assured that the party is committed to investigating the matter and consulting with legal experts to protect its rights. Prasert highlighted the potential damage these allegations could cause and indicated that legal recourse would be pursued as necessary.
During his tenure as Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Prasert addressed inquiries about political connections to gambling websites, noting that measures were taken to block such sites under relevant cybercrime legislation. He explained that AI technology was employed to effectively block suspicious websites, and coordination with the Anti-Money Laundering Office would occur if financial trails required investigation.
Prasert confirmed that the issue could be included in a no-confidence debate, citing its impact on the public. He mentioned ongoing discussions with former coalition parties regarding various issues. However, he expressed uncertainty about whether the People’s Party, a key opposition leader, would be involved in the debate since Pheu Thai is not part of the opposition coalition coordination committee.
Addressing concerns about the potential dissolution of Parliament before a no-confidence motion could be submitted, Prasert stated that if the motion is accepted by the Speaker, the government would be unable to dissolve Parliament. He acknowledged the possibility of a preemptive dissolution, which the party has anticipated.
On constitutional amendments, Prasert revealed that the Pheu Thai Party is working to expedite the process during the parliamentary recess, aiming to pass the amendments in the upcoming readings. He urged the government to accelerate the process, emphasizing the opposition’s shared interest in amending the constitution and the need for swift implementation to meet legislative timelines.