Bangkok:"Teng" has voiced concerns over the Prime Minister's lawsuit against Ice, suggesting that it is politically motivated and could deter public criticism of those in power.
According to Thai News Agency, Teng refuted a government spokesperson's post that questioned the logic behind protecting wrongdoers, and he asked if the Prime Minister intends to sue everyone. He emphasized the need for government officials to handle all cases equally and without discrimination, suggesting that the lawsuit against Ice is politically motivated and could discourage citizens from speaking out.
Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, commented on a post by Mr. Ekkapop Pienpises, the Prime Minister's spokesperson. The post implied that Mr. Nattapong was defending Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a People's Party MP sued for sharing a fake money transfer slip to the Prime Minister's account. Mr. Nattapong highlighted the importance of considering each case individually and questioned whether the government has taken legal action against everyone involved.
It appears that the Prime Minister is prosecuting only certain individuals, possibly those viewed as political opponents, which Mr. Nattapong believes supports the notion of politically motivated prosecutions. He argued that public figures must accept criticism and should not threaten legal action against critics, as this could create a society where people are afraid to criticize politicians.
In response to questions about police actions regarding Ms. Rakchanok, Mr. Nattapong mentioned ongoing internal discussions within the party. He urged that all cases be handled equally by government officials without prejudice.
When asked about the denial of bail for the page owner by the Criminal Court, Mr. Nattapong refrained from commenting directly but expressed concerns that such actions could lead to a society afraid to scrutinize politicians. He stressed the importance of media and public scrutiny in a democratic society.
Regarding the need to instruct party MPs on sharing information, Mr. Nattapong emphasized the principle of verifying information accuracy before sharing, acknowledging that mistakes are possible and are a constant topic of internal discussion.