Lawmakers Call for MP Kamolasakdi Shooting Case to Be Elevated to Special Status, Alleging State Uses IO Operations to Spread Misinformation and Deflect Issues
Lawmakers are calling for the attempted assassination case of Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Kamolasakdi to be elevated to special status, alleging authorities are using information operations to spread misinformation and deflect from the shooting
On April 30, 2025, at Parliament, Romdan Panjor, a People's Party list MP, held a press conference following House Speaker Sompong Amornvej's rejection of a proposal to establish a committee to monitor the attempted assassination of Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Kamolasakdi Leewamor. Romdan expressed his disappointment, noting that there are significant obstacles and concerns in gathering evidence and tracking case progress.
Currently, Kamolasakdi must personally collect evidence and file complaints. Recently, he filed charges against two naval officers in an attempted murder case, pending clarification from the newly formed Region 9 Police investigative unit on whether they will interrogate the suspects and complainants. The interrogation deadline was today, but progress remains limited. The public is concerned that despite arresting five alleged assassins, Kamolasakdi has filed additional complaints. There are questions about whether the case will be split into two cases, requiring close monitoring. MPs from border-area electoral districts in the southern region must be vigilant, as this directly impacts their work. Kamolasakdi has now missed two weeks of parliamentary sessions due to evidence gathering in the field.
Romdan further stated that the shooting is not an attack on an individual MP, but a challenge to democratic political institutions, requiring protective measures. He will monitor the case and maintain continuous communication with the House Speaker.
The public perceives this case not as a personal matter but as a security issue connected to certain agencies, involving political motivations. Public observers are noting possible attempts to distort or deflect from the main issues, requiring close attention to whether investigators work transparently based on evidence.
Romdan recommended that the government elevate the Kamolasakdi shooting case to special status to ensure neutral, professional evidence gathering, as local police resources may be insufficient. He urged the government to prioritize transparency, correctness, fairness, and professionalism in this case.
There are also suspicions regarding deliberate distortion of the narrative, with suspected information operations using degrading content against politicians, journalists, activists, and civil society members. Romdan interpreted this as a planned and recurring operation.
He called for close monitoring as this affects political institutions and the need for safe spaces for public voices. Otherwise, resolving southern Thailand's problems through peaceful means will be difficult.
"It's unfortunate the House Speaker deflected the issue. From now on, we must use parliamentary committees as mechanisms to monitor progress, conduct close oversight, and ensure this case is transparent, professional, and scientific, pushing it under DSI responsibility," Romdan said.
Chayapol Satad, a Bangkok People's Party MP, noted that the case involves government resources. When people demand facts, authorities use memory-creating strategies and IO operations to deflect, cover up news, and create stories based on anger and hatred to distract public attention.
Kittipong Piyawanno, a People's Party list MP and former military officer, commented on IO operations, noting his background in such operations from military training.
