PM Anuthín Dismisses Dissolution Threats Over Senate Row

At 11:30 a.m. on July 27 at Government House, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anuthín Charnweerakul addressed concerns about a Senate-related case in which the opposition has disclosed additional information, stating that government stability will only grow stronger because coalition partners trust one another and have not engaged in wrongdoing.

Anuthín explained that the Senate is a parliamentary mechanism responsible for legislative oversight and checks, and there is no reason for the government to be involved in its affairs. He emphasized mutual respect between branches of government and noted that if summoned to answer parliamentary questions, the government will comply as required by law, just as it would in the House of Representatives.

When asked whether any state agencies have summoned him for clarification, Anuthín said no one has called him in, though he has already submitted a written statement covering all relevant points.

Regarding his lawsuit against Yingluck Achananont, director of the Internet for the People Law Project (iLaw), Anuthín stated he exercised his legal rights and gave his lawyers time to gather evidence; he said no one forced him to file today or any other specific day.

Asked whether he intends to set up a "war room," Anuthín flatly denied it, saying there is no reason to do so since the matter is unrelated.

When pressed on whether public interest in the issue warrants concern, Anuthín said the controversy has been ongoing for about a year and is not a recent development, suggesting there is no urgency to the matter.

Addressing whether he is confident Bhumjaithai Party will remain in government, Anuthín stressed he is not a judge but said directly that the party itself has no involvement. He recalled issuing a warning letter last year as Bhumjaithai leader instructing party members to stay out of Senate election matters because the party has no connection to them. He said he will release that letter to counter what he called media sensationalism.

When asked about his regular presence at Pullman hotel, Anuthín said he has been staying there regularly for so long that it would be easier to ask which days he did not go. He joked that before becoming deputy prime minister he frequented the hotel for its teppanyaki buffet, which offers good value. He emphasized he uses the spa there regularly since it opened.

Anuthín defended greeting people at the hotel, saying he greets everyone while having coffee in the lobby as he did before taking office, though security now prevents him from doing so. He reiterated he was unaware of any coordination meeting and encounters many people both at the hotel and in public.

When asked if he met any current senators, Anuthín's response was cut off in the transcript.