Democrat Party Sets Up Independent Panel on Sexual Harassment Allegation

On August 4, 2025, at Parliament, Panida Mongkolswat, a Samut Prakan MP from the Democrat Party, discussed progress in investigating allegations that Thisana Chunhawan (Kaew Ta), a former Bangkok MP from the Democrat Party, was sexually harassed. She stated that an independent committee with no prior involvement in previous parliamentary sessions has been established to create a safe, comfortable, and secure space for the victim to come forward.

When asked how evidence would be gathered if Thisana does not provide information directly, Panida said they would need to interview friends and associates who may have access to information or understanding of the situation to establish a timeline and facts. The committee will use all available processes to establish the initial facts.

When asked whether Thisana has spoken with her about who committed the harassment, Panida said she has no knowledge of the matter and was unaware when the incident occurred. She noted that current public discussion of the case may affect the victim's feelings, as she may not wish to communicate about it publicly. She emphasized this is the victim's preference, and the incident happened long ago with limited details available.

When asked if the public disclosure might be intended to overshadow other issues facing the Democrat Party, Panida said she would not presume, but rather focus on how to respond now that it has emerged.

"I acknowledge that in the past, based on Kaew Ta's perspective, how the party handled this may not have been sufficient to make her feel safe enough to communicate about it concretely. But today we recognize this and have made continuous political progress," Panida said. "I am confident that the current justice process will deliver fairness to Kaew Ta and all involved. Regarding clarity on this matter, we can provide more information later, as there is currently insufficient clarity," she added.