Thamanat Prompow sues for defamation over ministry interference

Former Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow is suing three public figures for defamation, accusing them of alleging his interference in his successor’s duties.

Thamanat has engaged lawyer Thanadon Suwannarit to file these defamation lawsuits against legal scholar Jade Donavanik, former Bangkok MP Boonyod Sukthinthai, and Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom. The complaints were lodged with the Nang Loeng police in Bangkok yesterday.

The lawyer stated that the three individuals made separate public comments accusing Thamanat of improperly interfering with the work of Agriculture Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat during her recent flood inspection tour of Chai Nat and Ayutthaya. Thamanat was seen at a meeting with officials who provided a briefing on the water situation. He was seated centrally, flanked by Narumon and two deputy ministers, Itthi Sirilathayakorn and Thamanat’s brother, Akara Prompow.

The public figures implied that Thamanat appeared to be directing ministry activities despite being replaced by Narumon, suggesting this constitutes interference in the executive branch, potentially violating Section 185 of the constitution.

Thanadon argued that these accusations misled the public into thinking Thamanat was ignorant of the law. He maintained that while constructive criticism is acceptable, the comments made were defamatory. He emphasised that Thamanat was within his rights to join the inspection tour as he was transitioning his ministerial responsibilities to Narumon. With full ministerial powers still in his hands, he was obligated to visit the flood-affected areas and residents.

Warong, however, maintained on his Facebook page that Thamanat was no longer the agriculture minister, pointing out that the inspection tour occurred after a royal command officially appointed the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Thus, Thamanat, now an MP, should not be involved in ministerial matters, Warong argued, threatening to petition the Constitutional Court if Thamanat continued acting in a ministerial capacity.

Previous criminal record

Thamanat previously served four years in jail in Australia during the 1990s for heroin trafficking. In 2021, the Constitutional Court ruled that a foreign criminal record does not preclude someone from holding a Cabinet position in Thailand. However, recent judicial interpretations of constitutional ethics rules have raised questions about the suitability of some ministers. When Paetongtarn formed her Cabinet, Thamanat was not included, though he managed to secure a deputy minister position for his brother.

Meanwhile, the Palang Pracharath Party is investigating Thamanat’s alleged interference, as he remains a party MP despite recent conflicts with party leader Prawit Wongsuwon. Thamanat and at least 20 MPs have severed ties with the party. He has indicated he’s exploring legal avenues to leave the party while retaining his MP status.

The remaining Palang Pracharath MPs, loyal to General Prawit, are now in opposition due to perceived slights against the Pheu Thai Party and the Shinawatra family. Palang Pracharath spokesman Piya Tawichai stated that it is up to PM Paetongtarn to determine whether she believes Thamanat interfered with her ministers, reported Bangkok Post.