Deputy PM Denies Thai Proud Party Link to Senate Vote Rigging
Deputy PM Piphatchana denied Thai Proud Party involvement in a Senate vote-rigging case after the Election Commission decided not to prosecute party executives, insisting the party cannot interfere with senators who are not members.
On September 15, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Piphatchana Ratchkij chaired a Cabinet meeting at Government House. When reporters asked about the Election Commission's decision not to prosecute Thai Proud Party executives in a Senate vote-rigging case, he initially declined to comment, saying it was not relevant to him.
When pressed further about allegations that people on the Election Commission's prosecution list were part of Piphatchana's network, he stopped and turned back to give a statement. He clarified that Thai Proud Party has no involvement in Senate matters, emphasizing the need to separate the two clearly. He noted that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has consistently stated the party cannot interfere with senators, since they are not party members.
Regarding suggestions that he supports people accused in the case, Piphatchana said that as politicians, it is normal to have friends across different circles, but the party cannot provide support or assistance. He rejected the notion that opposition criticism on this matter troubled him, saying: "When they debate, we must answer with the truth."
When asked if he had discussed the case with Transport Minister Worsit Lianprasoet or Prime Minister Anutin, Piphatchana said he had not yet spoken with either, as the Prime Minister was attending official duties in Vietnam. He added that when questioned, he must provide honest answers, and suggested reporters ask the Prime Minister about the government's way forward on the matter.
