Progressive Party MP faces rape charges, awaits court’s decision
The Thai Progressive Party has not yet expelled Bangkok MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit, who faces charges for allegedly raping a Taiwanese tourist in Chiang Mai. The party awaits the prosecutors’ decision on whether the case will proceed to court.
Yesterday, February 23, the party released a statement expressing serious concern over the allegations involving Chaiyamparwaan.
“We are well aware that this issue has attracted attention and deeply affected the feelings of many citizens. The party cannot deny responsibility but now that Chaiyamparwaan has been charged, we will try our best to resolve it according to the party’s operational procedures while adhering to principles of justice, fairness and the feelings of the people.”
During a board meeting on February 22, it was decided to wait for the prosecutor’s decision before determining Chaiyamparwaan’s future in the party, reported Bangkok Post.
The alleged incident occurred at a hotel in Chiang Mai on January 9, following the MP’s return from a nightclub. He remains under investigation. Closing off the public statement, the party issued an apology over the incident.
“The Thai Progressive Party apologises to the public for the incident and is committed to accepting responsibility. We will be vigilant in preventing such incidents in the future.”
This serves as a development to an arrest warrant issued by police for the MP who allegedly raped the Taiwanese woman at the hotel. The woman filed a complaint against the MP at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station following the incident
In related news, a friend of the Thai MP accused of raping a Taiwanese woman said police officers demanded a 400,000 baht bribe to make the case go away.
The MP has been previously accused of rape once before, leading him to be removed from his former party, the Move Forward Party (MFP). He then moved to work with the Thai Progressive Party where he once again faced the same accusation.
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