Pheu Thai MP Slams People's Party: Apology Insufficient Over Allegations Against Village Chiefs Linked to Drug Trafficking
A Pheu Thai MP from Trat province criticized the People's Party for an insufficient apology after alleging that village chiefs were linked to drug trafficking, saying an apology alone cannot compensate for demoralizing the crucial community
On May 4, 2025, at 3:30 PM, Pichanon Ingprasar, a Pheu Thai MP from Trat province, addressed allegations made by Phandil Nuamjim, a People's Party MP from Bangkok, who raised concerns about village chief and headman networks allegedly connected to drug trafficking during a parliamentary session on April 30.
Pichanon, who previously served as village chief of Bo Ploi subdistrict in Trat province and as deputy chairman of the Trat Province Village Chiefs and Headmen Association, said he was upset by the allegations. He noted that village chiefs, sub-district doctors, and other community officials had called him expressing that the debate had demoralized them.
He emphasized that the village chief and headman network is a major organization crucial to nation-building, operating 24/7 without days off, assisting all government ministries and departments without salary, only receiving compensation. He pointed out that district officials regularly conduct drug inspections during monthly meetings, and village chiefs themselves actively work to prevent and suppress drug trafficking in their areas.
When asked how accountability should be ensured, Pichanon stated that the People's Party and the MP who made the allegations must take responsibility. Regarding the People's Party's statement, he said if he were a village chief, he would consider a statement alone insufficient. He stressed that before making any statements that could affect any organization—whether village chiefs, the military, or even MPs themselves—one must consider carefully, as words carry weight.
"As an MP, showing responsibility should be understood clearly. If I said something that caused this much harm and demoralized people, I would know how to take responsibility. We must understand the hearts of village chiefs and headmen, which I understand well. When there were Thai-Cambodian border conflicts, those who didn't work on border security wouldn't know how exhausted village chiefs became. The compensation they receive is hardly enough to live on, yet they carry honor and dignity," Pichanon concluded.
