Prawit to sue TV host and ex-spokesman over wiretapping claims

Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) leader Prawit Wongsuwon plans to take legal action against TV host Danai Ekmahasawat and former Pheu Thai Party spokesperson Prompong Nopparit. They are accused of releasing voice recordings that allegedly incriminate him.

Party secretary-general Paiboon Nititawan announced yesterday, September 18, that complaints would be filed with Hua Mak police, accusing Danai and Prompong of wiretapping or disseminating content obtained through wiretapping to the media. This offence carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and/or a fine of up to 500,000 baht.

The contentious audio clip reportedly features a conversation between Prawit and Suttipong Juljarern, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior. There are suspicions that the clip was obtained through illegal wiretapping.

This recording was one of four audio clips released on September 11 during an episode of Inside Thailand TV, hosted by Danai. Prompong replayed the clip the following day and filed a petition with the anti-graft agency, seeking an ethics probe against Prawit.

Paiboon confirmed that Prawit intends to pursue the case against both individuals to its conclusion.

Prompong continued his campaign against Prawit yesterday, urging the House of Representatives to investigate whether the list MP is fulfilling his role. According to Prompong, the 2017 constitution requires MPs to serve with honesty and prohibits them from missing more than one-fourth of meeting days without permission from the House Speaker, or their MP status will be terminated.

Prompong stated that he has petitioned House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to review Prawit’s attendance and determine if he is taking his duties seriously.

“Prawit is rarely seen at the House meetings, so I doubt that he fulfils his role as demanded by the constitution and the code of ethics.”

Absences from Parliament

The Pheu Thai spokesperson also requested copies of Prawit’s letters of absence submitted from July 3 of last year to the present, as well as his salary receipts, emphasising that the issue was not politically motivated.

Prompong dismissed the threat of legal action over the audio clip, asserting that he was exercising his rights as a concerned citizen.

“I challenge Palang Pracharath to clarify which clips were doctored and which were genuine, as the party previously dismissed them as fake. The lawsuits would be seen as an attempt to silence critics.”

At 79 years old, Prawit is rarely seen attending House sessions, reportedly due to his weak health.

MPs in Thailand receive a monthly salary of 113,560 baht, along with generous medical, pension, and other welfare benefits. Meeting allowances can also add up substantially for MPs involved in extensive committee work.

Like his fellow 2014 coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prawit resides in free housing at the 1st Infantry Regiment in Phaya Thai district of Bangkok. This location also houses the Five Border Provinces Forest Preservation Foundation, a military-backed organisation that he chairs.

When recently questioned by reporters about his frequent absences from Parliament, Prawit responded that if people need to talk to him, they can visit the foundation’s office, reported Bangkok Post.