PM Anutin Rejects House Committee Summons, Accuses Chair of Lies

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed he ordered the Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry to explain after the House Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights voted 7-0 to summon him to parliament, citing negligence. He snapped, 'I don't know if he intentionally gave false news; he's adept at it already,' and stressed the government is ready to cooperate but must stay within the legal framework.

Speaking at Government House at 2:10 p.m. on November 6, 2026, Anutin addressed the committee's resolution inviting the prime minister to clarify his compliance with regulations and laws. He said if any part follows regulations and laws, the government — meaning himself and ministers — is already prepared to cooperate, but emphasized it must be within the legal framework.

Asked if he had spoken with the House Speaker about the matter, Anutin replied his answer was already clear. When asked if the summons letter had reached him, he retorted, 'What letter? Which job? When?' After reporters identified it as a letter from Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP for the People's Party and committee chair, Anutin said, 'If so, that shows the letter hasn't arrived yet.'

Asked if he viewed the move as targeting him, Anutin said he welcomes cooperation but within regulations and law. Asked if it was political payback, he said, 'Payback for what? I don't owe anyone anything; no need to collect from me.'

Regarding claims he did not order Narucha Khosachivisai, Director-General of the Provincial Administration Department, to explain the local election corruption case to the committee, Anutin said he did order it via the Office of the Prime Minister's acting permanent secretary, who sent a letter to the director-general. He noted internal document routing procedures mean not every letter reaches him directly.

When pressed that news reports suggested he never ordered the explanation, Anutin said, 'That's reporting without facts, and I don't know if it's intentional false news; he's adept at it already.'

Asked if the committee's 7-0 vote studied the law or was an improper resolution, Anutin said he doesn't need to study any law; if it follows regulations or law, he's happy to comply.

Asked if the committee was overstepping its authority, he said, 'That's up to you to think.'

Asked if he would appear before parliament as invited, Anutin said, 'Follow the law; there's a procedure already, right? Whatever the procedure for summoning anyone to any committee, I see a procedure already established.'

He concluded: 'If within the scope of authority and law, the government is ready to comply and cooperate fully. No part will refuse cooperation, because explaining various matters to create transparency and understanding is something that should be done. But it must be under prescribed regulations and laws.'