PM Anuthins Dismisses Election Commission Criticism
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed government responsibility for the Election Commission's Shinawatra case decision, insisting independent agency rulings must be accepted and denying his party's involvement in the controversy.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed criticism of the Election Commission's decision on the Shinawatra case on September 18, insisting the government bears no responsibility. He stated that any ruling by the independent agency must be accepted, and claimed supporters and opponents of the case have already taken their positions. Anutin emphasized that the root cause is political, stemming from events two years ago.
When asked if the government would take further measures beyond legal action if attacks continued, Anutin reiterated that the government has no involvement in the Commission's decisions or any related legal proceedings. He argued that all outcomes must comply with the Constitution and that majority votes in independent bodies are binding—a principle that applies across all government agencies. When a majority vote is reached, Anutin said, everyone must comply, citing his own experience when he was outvoted in a previous Cabinet meeting under former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Anutin rejected suggestions that his party bore responsibility for a witness changing testimony, stating that individuals attempting to involve Bhumjaithai in the case do not represent party actions. He reaffirmed his directive prohibiting party members in political positions from involvement in the Shinawatra case, noting that anyone who violates this order must answer for their own actions rather than the party's. When asked how to distance Bhumjaithai from the controversy, he said both supporters and opponents of the case are known. Pressed on whether he views the matter as purely political, Anutin confirmed: "It started as politics. It began two years before we reached this point. It is politics."
