Bangkok: Sophon Saram, Speaker of the House of Representatives and a key figure in the Bhumjaithai Party, has stated that he is not involved in the leaked chat controversy surrounding the "Help Namngern" message. He reiterated his commitment to remaining uninvolved in party administration since assuming his role as Speaker of the House.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident involves Mr. Phatthapong Supakorn, also known as Lawyer Aun Buriram, and his group submitting a letter to the Chairman of the Committee on Political Development, Mass Media, and Public Participation of the House of Representatives. The letter disclosed an online conversation allegedly implicating the Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration. Despite the allegations, Mr. Saram expressed his unawareness of the details.
Mr. Sophon emphasized that he has not engaged in discussions with the party's leaders regarding the matter. He clarified that, in his role as Speaker, he maintains a clear separation from the Bhumjaithai Party's affairs, focusing instead on his legislative responsibilities. He stressed the importance of keeping party administration separate from his duties in the House of Representatives.
When questioned about whether the Bhumjaithai Party is perceived as a target of criticism, Mr. Sophon humorously remarked that the party is "bigger than a village" and not particularly targeted. He noted that political parties in government are often subjected to scrutiny, which he considers a normal aspect of political life. He urged against conflating political issues with economic matters, emphasizing the need to focus on livelihoods and the economy while maintaining a distinction between legislative work and political affairs.