Phakamol Ridicules Phiphat: 'Stop Making Excuses' Over Land Acquisition Near Landbridge Project, Coincidentally Named After Deputy PM's Brother's Company
Opposition MP Phakamol accuses Deputy PM Phiphat of making excuses over land purchases near the Landbridge project, noting the suspicious coincidence that acquisitions are linked to a company bearing the same name as his brother's maritime
On May 13, Phakamol Hunnanon, Pheu Thai Party list MP and spokesperson, responded to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn's claim that he has no connection to land acquisitions near the Landbridge project. She noted that during a shadow cabinet meeting, she had suggested Phiphat visit Ao Khaoy in Ranong where locals reported that 500 rai of land had been purchased in recent months through nominee companies known locally as 'Amma.'
Phiphat gave an interview stating that his statements were unrelated to him. Phakamol countered, asking why they wouldn't be related—he is the deputy prime minister and transport minister, and one of the strongest promoters of the Landbridge project. She called for the premier to investigate, noting that large-scale capital has been acquiring land locally called 'Amma,' warning that allowing land resources to concentrate in the hands of a few capitalists would result in exploitation of natural resources and concentrate wealth among elites rather than distribute it to the public.
Phakamol pointed out the coincidence: the person she identified as acquiring land happens to share the same name as AMA Marine Company Limited (a publicly listed company owned by Phiphat's brother), which provides international maritime liquid cargo transportation services, specializing in vegetable oils and petroleum products across Southeast and East Asia. This suspicious coincidence prompted Phiphat's hasty denial.
She suggested that when the SEC law is enforced in the South, it must prove transparency regarding whether there are conflicts of interest between the transport ministry and businesses in southern industrial estates. She referenced the oil crisis when oil capitalists failed to solve hoarding problems, and noted that as transport minister involved in the Landbridge project, Phiphat should investigate cases of large capital purchasing land, including land without title deeds and even mountainous terrain.
Phakamol remarked this was the most ridiculous news story she had encountered, saying Phiphat essentially implicated himself by hastily denying involvement instead of investigating as a responsible transport minister. She criticized him for prioritizing his own transparency rather than the country's, calling his timing 'hellish,' as he rushed to clarify on behalf of his brother's company rather than fulfill his ministerial duties.
