Bangkok: Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has addressed recent allegations tying Chanonpat Naksua, a Songkhla MP from the Kla Dharma Party, to financial connections with scammers. He emphasized that these discussions are not new and should not be extrapolated to implicate the whole party. Thammanat stated that it is common for a growing party to face such attacks and has tasked Anudit with investigating the matter, confirming that the party has not established a special unit to scrutinize other parties.
According to Thai News Agency, Thammanat, serving as an advisor to the Kla Dharma Party, expressed regret for not responding to questions on October 29th due to insufficient information and an urgent commitment at the ministry. He acknowledged listening to Chanonpat’s interview on the “Inside Thailand” program and urged the public to recognize that the case in question is historical and has undergone legal proceedings. He cautioned against excessive discussion on the subject, as it may not be appropriate.
Thammanat pointed out the necessity for Thai society to differentiate between various types of crimes, such as scams, online gambling, and human trafficking, as they have distinct characteristics. He encouraged media outlets to clarify their reports to prevent public confusion. He recounted a personal incident where a scammer gang contacted his 7-year-old son, highlighting the pervasive threat of such scams.
Thammanat confirmed that Chanonpat has entered the judicial system and is currently regarded as innocent. He reiterated that the issue predates Chanonpat’s political career and stressed the importance of allowing him to provide his own explanation. As a senior party member, Thammanat plans to consult with Group Captain Anudit Nakornthap, the party’s strategic chairman, emphasizing the need for a thorough vetting process for MP candidates, acknowledging that many politicians have pasts.
Addressing potential impacts on the party, Thammanat mentioned discussions with party executives about the normalcy of facing backlash during times of growth. On October 29th, he convened with Chanonpat at the Ministry of Agriculture to advise him on clarifying issues without engaging in debates, stressing the importance of adhering to legal processes when dealing with allegations.
Regarding actions against individuals damaging the party’s reputation, Thammanat indicated that Group Captain Anudit would determine the necessary strategies and policies, with the legal department managing any related issues. He called for fair treatment and cautioned against generalizing allegations to the entire party, noting that scrutinizing all parliamentary members would lead to unnecessary conflicts.
Discussing the potential effect on the party’s voter base, Thammanat acknowledged the influence of social media in Thai society and urged political figures to focus on their responsibilities without resorting to scrutinizing others for political gain. He assured that the Kla Dharma Party would not engage in setting up special task forces for political attacks and emphasized maintaining open political discourse.
On the House of Representatives’ invitation to provide information on scammer gangs, Thammanat explained his busy schedule and commitment to fulfilling his duties as an executive. He also addressed the invitation to discuss Thai-Cambodian border issues, advising against over-involvement in external matters and focusing on national priorities, expressing a willingness to be investigated.