Anutin Vows to Sue Over '7 Million Tea Money' Claim
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Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking on the program 'Talk with Minister Anutin' on October 31, 2026, addressed the political situation and the upcoming no-confidence debate scheduled for December 7-11. He stated that he has never fled parliament and should have been present to hear the opposition's arguments, but the opposition failed to finalize the schedule. He denied allegations that the government was avoiding the debate, noting that he had not traveled anywhere in the past week and had ordered all ministers to remain in the country.
Anutin asserted that his overseas trips to meet world leaders yielded tangible results: 1.7 trillion baht in investment, a 20% increase in exports, and expanded production capacity for companies considering relocating from Thailand. He said the government convinced them to stay, and credit rating agencies have revised Thailand's outlook from negative to stable.
Regarding his absence from parliament, Anutin said he attends when he has no official duties. He explained that deputy ministers are assigned to answer questions within their portfolios, and for deep legal matters, he designates Minister Pakorn Nilprapan to respond. He insisted he has not neglected his executive responsibilities.
Anutin emphasized that governing the country must come before political games. He said politics is not even a second priority but a distant last. He would choose beneficial national duties over political retaliation. He condemned low-value, bullying politics and rhetoric, placing them at the bottom of priorities.
He called for factual discourse, citing former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as an example of an opposition leader who criticized the government fully yet maintained respect without vulgarity or bullying. Anutin noted he still addresses Abhisit as 'Prime Minister' out of mutual respect, a sign of political maturity.
On the 'tea money' allegation, Anutin said he will pursue legal action to force accountability. He distinguished between criticism of governance — which he would not sue over — and the specific claim that he has 7 million baht in a Krungthai Bank account as 'tea money.' He called that a baseless accusation intended to malign him, not a legitimate check on performance. He rejected the defense that sharing such claims is for verification, saying proper verification channels exist and the act reflects the sharer's maturity, experience, and mindset — adding that deep down they likely know it is false but use politics to bully.
He also addressed observations that he did not defend the Pheu Thai Party...
