Chiang Mai MP refutes accusations of falsifying documents for party funds

Chiang Mai’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, Phattarapong Leelaphat, refuted accusations of falsifying documents to garner financial support from his party yesterday. This controversy was brought to light by the Democrat Party’s Tankhun Jittitsara on Wednesday, November 8.

In response to the allegations, Phattarapong took to Facebook, dismissing the claims as baseless. The politician explained that most of the funds used for his campaign during the last General Election were from his pocket. He asserted that the MFP only provided him with campaign necessities such as election posters and other related equipment, along with some donations.

Phattarapong stressed that he had no reason to fraudulently claim financial help from the party given he primarily used his funds. He speculated that the accusations might stem from his former campaign assistants, who could be harbouring resentment against him for not hiring them as MP assistants. He revealed that one of the accusers was a former MP assistant he recently dismissed.

Phattarapong assured his full cooperation with any potential investigation conducted by the Election Commission (EC). He also expressed his readiness to face any legal proceedings that may be initiated in light of the allegations, reported Bangkok Post.

Tankhun disclosed that three MFP members had approached him about their submission of a petition to the EC’s office in Chiang Mai. They requested an investigation into the alleged misconduct by an unnamed MFP MP. Tankhun added that these members, who were campaign assistants of the accused MP, had already provided evidence to substantiate their claims to the EC.

In related news, Chaiyamparwaan Manphianjit, also known as Poo Ad, a representative for the Bangkok Chom Thong district from the MFP, has been booted out of the MFP after his alleged disingenuous apology over the sexual harassment allegations hanging over him. Read more about this story HERE.