Bangkok: ‘Phumtham’ defends the Royal Thai Air Force, asserting its right to sue after Move Forward Party MP Chirat Thongsuwan accused it of demanding benefits. He highlighted that being an MP does not grant the freedom to speak on all matters and criticized Rangsiman Rome, another MP, emphasizing that party-switching is a personal issue and maturity is needed in political discourse.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, addressed the situation where Mr. Chirat Thongsuwan revealed he received a defamation lawsuit from Air Chief Marshal Panpakdee Pattanakul, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force. The lawsuit followed a no-confidence debate alleging the Air Force demanded 3 billion baht from Airports of Thailand (AOT) to cancel a golf course at Don Mueang Airport. Mr. Phumtham suggested the issue be settled through legal channels, asserting that if the allegations are untrue, the accused will be exonerated.
Mr. Phumtham responded to Mr. Chirat’s call for the lawsuit’s withdrawal by stating that parliamentary immunity does not cover all speech, especially when implicating outsiders. He emphasized that MPs must take responsibility for their words and that legal proceedings should determine the truth. The parliamentary chairman often advises MPs to avoid mentioning third parties without giving them a chance to defend themselves.
Mr. Phumtham addressed Mr. Rangsiman Rome’s criticism of the Prime Minister’s stance on MPs changing parties. He stated that party-switching is a personal decision and should not involve the Prime Minister. Mr. Phumtham urged for maturity in political criticism and stressed that any proven misconduct, such as buying MPs, should be addressed in court.
He concluded by urging MPs not to expect the Prime Minister to be accountable for all issues, citing Mr. Chirat’s case as an example where the government did not interfere in personal legal matters. Mr. Phumtham called for political maturity and responsibility among MPs.