Bangkok: The Secretary-General of the Election Commission has addressed concerns over the use of impolite language in political speeches, highlighting its potential to undermine the competitive atmosphere. According to Mr. Saeng Boonmee, the Secretary-General, derogatory remarks made by the Pheu Thai Party about candidates from other political parties must be examined under the context of election law. While false statements that cause damage are considered slander, the distinction between insults and defamation requires careful consideration.
According to Thai News Agency, the Bangkok Election Commission is tasked with transcribing the contentious speech and assessing whether it constitutes a legal violation. Mr. Saeng emphasized the importance of maintaining a smooth election process, despite the intense competition. He noted that the use of vulgar language, while identifiable by any reasonable person, raises questions about legality that need further examination.
Mr. Saeng advised political parties to remain aware of the Election Commission's oversight and to prioritize fair play. He encouraged parties to focus on constructive contributions to the public and to acknowledge opponents' weaknesses based on facts. He warned that speech or rallies exceeding legal boundaries pose a risk to the electoral atmosphere, even if they do not specifically violate election laws.
Regarding the use of past behavior or digital footprints to attack opponents, Mr. Saeng clarified that defamation involves false statements intended to harm or influence voter decisions. True statements, while not violating election law, may still raise issues of criminal defamation. The distinction is crucial, as the truth can be spoken without constituting election law violations, though it may still lead to defamation charges under separate legal considerations.