Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking from Government House on May 5, has firmly rejected allegations that his administration endorses the use of legal frameworks to intimidate whistleblowers or impede investigations. Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana made this clarification in response to a critique from opposition People’s Party (PP) MP Rukchanok Srinork.
In a video clip, Ms. Rukchanok accused Mr. Anutin of backing state agencies in pursuing legal action against those they claim have spread misinformation. She characterized such actions as potentially constituting SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) suits, which are often employed to suppress public discourse.
Countering this assertion, Ms. Lalida emphasized that state agencies are entitled to utilize legal avenues to safeguard their reputations and the integrity of the information they provide. She reiterated that this right is enshrined in law, akin to the rights of any citizen. The Prime Minister’s comments followed a survey published by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), which identified ten state agencies perceived to be at high risk for corruption.
Mr. Anutin remarked that individuals making allegations against others must also be prepared for potential legal repercussions. Ms. Lalida pointed out that certain survey data may reflect subjective perceptions rather than definitive legal realities or evidence of misconduct.
She cautioned against hastily concluding that an agency is corrupt based solely on public perception, as such assumptions could damage its reputation and operational efficacy. Nevertheless, she affirmed the government’s commitment to combating corruption among powerful entities, underscoring the reliance on legal procedures and evidence rather than public sentiment.
Ms. Lalida cited ongoing criminal prosecutions targeting influential groups in prominent tourist destinations, including Phuket and Koh Samui, as examples of this commitment. Former PP MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn took to Facebook to suggest that if the government agencies mentioned in the survey have concerns, they should seek data from the JSCCIB to address any potential gaps within their operations.
He expressed that such intimidating tactics illustrate an abuse of power by the government over the business community, which could adversely affect domestic and foreign investment decisions.
Source: Bangkok Post
