PM Paetongtarn slams 4.4 billion baht asset allegations
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has come out swinging against allegations of falsifying her assets statement, branding the claims as baseless and politically motivated. The accusations stem from a report by the Isra News Agency, suggesting that she misrepresented a staggering 4.4 billion baht debt owed to close family members.
“It’s a debt between me and my relatives,” the premier insisted yesterday during a press conference at Government House. “I have submitted all details to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). How could I hide any legal transactions? I also have promissory notes for the debt.”
The Thai PM’s assets declaration to the NACC revealed she and her husband hold assets worth 13.99 billion baht and debts totalling 4.41 billion baht. The controversy erupted last week when Isra alleged that her statement concealed a family transaction designed to evade taxes on a 4.4 billion baht windfall.
The report claimed the 38 year old Thai premier issued promissory notes to her mother, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, and siblings to purchase shares but questioned the legitimacy of the notes, citing a lack of payment terms and valuation details. Isra suggested this arrangement could mean the shares were effectively a gift, triggering potential tax liabilities, reported The Nation.
Dismissing parallels drawn between her situation and her father, ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra—previously accused of nominee shareholding—Paetongtarn remained defiant.
“I haven’t broken any laws.”
Meanwhile, serial petitioner Ruangkrai Leekitwattana stirred further controversy by filing a complaint against Paetongtarn’s husband, Pitaka Suksawat, over a 12.77 million baht loan. Paetongtarn brushed off the complaint, accusing Ruangkrai of attempting extortion.
“He’s done this before. I’m not concerned.”
In related news, Paetongtarn launched into a defence of her father, Thaksin, after he was caught in making controversial racist comments during a rally speech. Thaksin’s remarks on January 6, criticised as discriminatory, sparked a backlash and calls from Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit for Paetongtarn to reprimand him.
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