In a case that seems to have the elements of a political thriller, Bangkok’s very own MP, Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, has decided to face the music and turn himself in, without waiting for the infamous parliamentary nod. This unexpected move has put the kibosh on a motion that sought permission to have him handed over to the authorities on a rather serious accusation—rape. The plot thickens, as this dramatics-laden saga unfolds with a Taiwanese tourist having leveled the grave charge while visiting the serene landscapes of Chiang Mai. Like a scene ripped from a gripping TV serial, the majestic halls of the parliamentary sessions on Wednesday felt a tad anticlimactic when the motion was dropped—signifying that Chaiyamparwaan willingly stepped into legal proceedings. The Thai Progressive Party’s star lawmaker perhaps surprised many, more so as he was in the lead role of his own story. His entrance into the narrative shifted dynamics,…
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