17-7-2023 (BANGKOK) The Senate Speaker, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, has sought police protection for senators and their families who reported receiving threats following the prime ministerial vote last Thursday. Several senators are filing complaints against those they believe to be responsible for the threats.
On Monday, Speaker Pornpetch stated that senators had informed him of threats, privacy infringements, and surveillance of their residences and business premises. In response, he decided to request police protection and expressed his hope that the individuals responsible for the threats would cease their actions.
Reports of threats emerged after only 13 senators voted in favor of Pita Limjaroenrat, the sole prime ministerial candidate from the Move Forward Party, during the joint sitting of the Senate and the House on July 13. Although Mr. Pita had the support of his eight coalition allies, totaling 312 votes in the House, he fell short of the majority required from both chambers by 51 votes due to the low turnout of senators. The majority of senators abstained from the vote.
According to Speaker Pornpetch, 33 senators were officially absent from the July 13 joint sitting. Two were in Beijing for a pre-approved meeting, six were senior officials of the armed forces with other important duties, nine were on private business trips abroad and had not been informed about the joint sitting in advance, and 16 senators took sick leave.
Out of the 43 senators who did not cast a vote, 10 were present at the meeting but chose not to vote, as revealed by Speaker Pornpetch.
A group of senators has stated their intention to gather evidence and file legal complaints against those who posted threats against them and their families following the vote on Thursday. Senator Seri Suwannapanon emphasized that senators will not tolerate such behavior, as it harms the nation, society, and the Thai people’s way of life.
On Monday morning, Senator Seri filed defamation lawsuits against two lawyers who heavily criticized him, seeking 500,000 baht in damages from each. He emphasized that there will be criminal and civil lawsuits against anyone making accusations on social media, in order to emphasize that freedom of expression should not harm others.
Senator Somchai Sawaengkan also mentioned that senators are collecting evidence to support their complaints. He condemned the malicious act of sending rape threats to some senators’ daughters and stressed that those responsible will face consequences.
Senator Seri concluded by stating that society needs to change and that freedom of criticism does not imply the freedom to threaten those with differing opinions.
