Thamanat Prompow, who recently resigned as agriculture minister to sidestep further legal entanglements for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made a notable appearance at Government House on August 27. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Former agriculture minister Thamanat Prompow is now embroiled in legal battles, suing three prominent public figures for defamation. The controversy stems from accusations that he meddled in his successor’s duties. Thamanat has enlisted Thanadon Suwannarit as his legal representative to file defamation claims against legal scholar Jade Donavanik, former Bangkok MP and social media host Boonyod Sukthinthai, and Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom.
Thanadon lodged the complaints with the Nang Loeng police in Bangkok on Tuesday. According to the lawyer, these three individuals made public comments suggesting Thamanat inappropriately interfered with Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat’s responsibilities during her recent flood inspection tour in Chai Nat and Ayutthaya.
Photographs surfaced showing Thamanat attending a meeting with officials who briefed attendees on the water situation. In the images, Thamanat is seated prominently in the center, flanked by Ms. Narumon and two deputy agriculture ministers, Itthi Sirilathayakorn and Akara Prompow, who happens to be Thamanat’s brother. These pictures and subsequent remarks gave the impression that Thamanat was still steering the ministry’s operations, raising concerns about a possible breach of Section 185 of the constitution, which forbids former ministers from directing government activities post-resignation.
Thanadon argued that the allegations misled the public into believing that Thamanat lacked legal knowledge. He emphasized that critique can be acceptable if it’s constructive, but contended that this particular criticism crossed the line into defamation.
He also clarified that Thamanat was within his rights to join the inspection tour as he was in the process of transferring his ministerial responsibilities to Ms. Narumon. Any lingering duties justified his presence in the flood-affected areas.
However, Dr. Warong disputed this on his Facebook page, stating unequivocally that Thamanat was no longer the agriculture minister, given that the royal command had already been issued to officially appoint the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Dr. Warong threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court if Thamanat persisted in acting as if he were still in office.
Adding complexity to the saga is Thamanat’s checkered past. He spent four years in an Australian prison in the 1990s for heroin trafficking. A 2021 ruling by the Constitutional Court decreed that foreign criminal records did not disqualify someone from serving in Thailand’s cabinet. Yet, recent interpretations of the constitution’s “ethics” clauses have cast a harsher light on the suitability of certain officials. Consequently, Thamanat found himself off the list during the formation of Ms. Paetongtarn’s cabinet, and had to settle for securing a deputy ministerial role for his brother instead.
The Palang Pracharath Party is currently investigating Thamanat’s alleged transgressions, as he technically remains an MP for the party despite his fallout with its leader, Prawit Wongsuwon. Thamanat and his faction of at least 20 MPs have distanced themselves from the party, and he is actively exploring legal avenues to allow them to maintain their MP status while severing ties with Palang Pracharath.
Meanwhile, the remaining 20 loyal Palang Pracharath MPs, who have stayed under Gen Prawit’s leadership, find themselves in opposition—a punishment for perceived disloyalties to the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra family.
Party spokesman Piya Tawichai has stated that it is ultimately up to Prime Minister Paetongtarn to determine if Thamanat indeed interfered with her ministers, further adding intrigue to an already convoluted political narrative.
Thamanat’s track record in politics is indeed questionable. It’s baffling how a person with a criminal history can still wield so much influence.
People make mistakes. His past shouldn’t be used to discredit his current efforts automatically.
A ‘mistake’ like heroin trafficking!? That’s not a simple slip-up. He should be nowhere near public office.
Exactly! We’re talking about serious crimes. Putting him in a position of power sends the wrong message.
The juxtaposition of Thamanat’s legal battles with his involvement in flood inspections is ironic. One minute he’s helping, the next he’s suing people.
Perhaps suing is his way of silencing critics. It’s a classic tactic to divert attention from real issues.
True, but also risky. Filing defamation suits can backfire spectacularly, especially if public sentiment is against him.
Can you really blame him? He’s just defending his reputation. False accusations can ruin lives.
It’s disturbing that party loyalty and sidestepping the law seem more important than actually solving the country’s issues.
Yes, the real victims here are the people suffering from the floods. All this infighting is just a distraction from actual governance.
Agreed. We need leaders focused on solutions, not legal battles.
Boonyod Sukthinthai’s comments might have been harsh, but sometimes harsh truth is necessary. The people deserve to know what’s happening.
Freedom of speech is paramount. Public figures should be open to criticism, especially if it’s about their performance.
Absolutely. Transparency should be a given, not an optional extra.
Let’s not forget that defamation laws exist for a reason—to protect individuals from false and damaging statements.
Thamanat’s ongoing influence in the agriculture ministry is deeply problematic. If he’s resigned, he should step back completely.
Maybe he feels that unfinished business justifies his continuous involvement. That doesn’t mean he’s up to something nefarious.
Unfinished business or not, the law is clear. Resignation means stepping aside, period.
I’m just baffled how this guy keeps bouncing back no matter what. The system clearly needs reform.
The fact that Thamanat’s brother is a deputy minister is just nepotism at its finest. Where does it end?
It’s not just nepotism; it’s dangerous. Concentrating power in one family can lead to corruption.
It’s such a common issue in politics, but that doesn’t make it any less infuriating. We need checks and balances.
What puzzles me is the selective interpretation of the constitution’s ethics clauses. How is this still a debate?
Well, ‘ethics’ can be subjective. Different people interpret the law based on their interests and biases. It’s unfortunate but true.
That’s true, but such critical elements of the law shouldn’t be up for ‘subjective’ debate. We need clear guidelines.
This whole scenario is just a soap opera. How do people take these political figures seriously when they’re constantly squabbling like children?
Dr. Warong seems to be playing the long game by threatening to involve the Constitutional Court. It could change the political landscape.
The accusations against Thamanat might seem over the top, but isn’t it suspicious that he was still attending ministerial duties?
Pictures don’t lie. If Thamanat was still central to those meetings, then something is definitely fishy.
Thamanat claiming that accusations against him are defamation is just a way to deflect from the main issue: his overreaching influence.
How is any of this helping Thailand? The focus should be on flood relief, not political drama!
Exactly. Real lives are being affected by the floods, and yet the headlines are filled with political squabbles.