Bangkok: Senator Nantana Nantawaropas has declared her intention not to succumb to a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) lawsuit, amid preparations by the Senate Ethics Committee to vote on a defamation case against her. The lawsuit accuses her of making disparaging remarks about a committee member with a background in pork selling. Nantana contends that the ongoing ethics investigation constitutes harassment, as she believes a majority of the committee members have conflicts of interest.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Nantana, alongside fellow independent senators, organized a press conference titled "Opposing SLAPP Lawsuits in the Senate." During the conference, it was revealed that the Senate is poised to urgently vote on an ethics complaint tied to an incident from October 2014. The complaint alleges that Nantana disrespected freedom of expression and disparaged a senator by questioning the appointment of a pork seller as a committee member without evaluating their qualifications.
"I was removed from the Political Development Committee, and a pork vendor was appointed instead. I want to highlight to the public that the selection process overlooked the professional backgrounds of the senators and was solely based on majority votes," Ms. Nantana stated.
She raised questions about the alleged defamatory nature of her comments and the ethical validity of the investigation against her. Ms. Nantana criticized the ethics committee's decision-making principles and pointed out that simply labeling her actions as unethical would result in a vote before the case could be sent to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further review.
Ms. Nantana referenced prior complaints, such as the case involving Senator Alongkot Worakit, which was dismissed after he was accused of mocking his colleagues. Similarly, the case against Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong, criticized for being repetitive, was quickly dismissed.
Ms. Nantana further claimed that the Ethics Committee comprises 22 senators, 15 of whom are implicated in a collusion case, including the chairman, General Kriangkrai Srirak. She has protested against these members, asserting their inability to impartially adjudicate the case due to their opposition to her.
Additionally, Ms. Nantana expressed concerns about being obstructed from presenting key witnesses to the committee, despite their scheduled appearances. She criticized the investigation process as secretive and biased, likening it to a clandestine vote aimed at removing her from her senatorial position.
The impeachment resolution's submission to the Senate, as stated under Regulation 42, will occur in a secret meeting, with a vote requiring a three-fifths majority to progress the case to the NACC. Ms. Nantana decried this as a gag order intended to stifle exposure of Senate collusion and hinder independent organizational support.
She warned that succumbing to such tactics would consolidate power within the Senate and undermine democratic institutions in Thailand. Ms. Nantana reaffirmed her commitment, alongside other independent senators, to fight for truth and public interest.
Ms. Nantana expressed gratitude to public supporters who have shown solidarity in her battle against corruption. She concluded with a call to action, urging the public to join her in defending democratic values.