PM Anutin Sues I-Law Director Over Defamation Claims
Prime Minister Anutin filed a defamation suit against I-Law director Yingcheep Atchanon over allegations of vote-buying made during a July parliamentary interview. The Criminal Court scheduled the hearing for December 2026.
On September 15, 2026, at the Criminal Court on Ratchadamri Road, Sittichoke Singhsena, lawyer for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, filed a defamation by advertisement case against Yingcheep Atchanon, director of I-Law. The complaint relates to statements Yingcheep made during a parliamentary interview on July 21, in which he alleged that Anutin was involved in a vote-buying network. After filing the suit, Sittichoke explained that Anutin had delegated the case to Supachai Jaisamut, a Bhumjaithai Party list member, who then assigned himself as counsel to pursue the action. Sittichoke stated that this case is separate from election-related proceedings the Election Commission had referred to the Supreme Court's Electoral Division. The court has registered the case as Black Number 2672/2569 and set the hearing for December 14, 2026. Supachai will testify as the authorized representative. Sittichoke said the lawsuit was necessary because Yingcheep made statements in parliament that Anutin's side believes are untrue, and the Prime Minister is exercising his legal right to let the court determine the facts and intent behind the statements. He emphasized this is not a defamation suit seeking damages, but rather an exercise of ordinary legal rights similar to any citizen. Sittichoke noted that whether additional suits will be filed depends on the Prime Minister's decision, and added that mediation is possible once the legal process fully begins.
