Lawmaker Denies Hitting Police Officer, Claims It Was Friendly Ear Tug

Lawmaker Chaiichana Detchadetcho of the Democratic Party list appeared at Thung Yai Police Station to respond to an assault charge stemming from an incident at the funeral of the subdistrict mayor's mother on August 8. The incident was reported to police on August 12 and went viral on social media, prompting widespread condemnation. On August 13, provincial police command ordered Thung Yai Police Station to conduct further witness interviews and collect additional evidence, including CCTV footage. Station Commander Pongpichai Chayananphiripiya reported that three witnesses had already been interviewed and police were seeking video and photographs from those present.

When Chaiichana arrived at the station, dozens of residents presented him with roses in support. He denied the assault charge, claiming he and the deputy superintendent, whom he referred to affectionately as "Pee Tom," had only exchanged friendly ear tugs as a gesture of long-standing familial affection. He questioned how such a gesture could constitute assault, noting that genuine assault involves punching and fighting. He also pointed out that he had encountered the officer again at the funeral and they had taken photos together, smoked cigarettes together, and chatted—behavior inconsistent with someone who had just been attacked.

Chaiichana expressed frustration at being attacked politically during a time of mourning and stated that gentlemen in politics do not behave this way. He challenged critics to provide any video or image evidence of actual assault to police to let justice take its course. He reiterated that there was no hitting and no quarrel between them, describing the contact as a customary greeting between relatives and close acquaintances.