A HOUSE of Representatives committee that investigated an allegation that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha paid 5 million baht cash bribe to government MPs to vote for him during the no-confidence debate early September said today (Jan. 5) there was not enough evidence and eyewitnesses to support the claim, Amarin TV said.
Dr. Sukit Atthopakorn, adviser to Parliament President Chuan Leekpai, issued a statement that during the censure debate Mr. Wisarn Techatirawat, Pheu Thai Party MP from Chiang Rai, had alleged that Prayut had paid some government MPs 5 million baht each in kickback to vote for him at that third floor room specifically arranged for the premier.
The committee had invited Wisan to give more details as well as collected and examined information about those who entered the Parliament building during the debate and went to the room reserved for the Prime Minister and his staff and MPs who met him there.
In addition, others in a position to provide useful information were invited to testify, from both the party making the accusation and the accused as well as those staying neutral on this issue with CCTV clips too examined
The House panel has now completed its investigation and found that there was not enough relevant evidence and eyewitnesses to support the allegation that kickbacks were paid on September 2, 2021 to ensure the Prime Minister survived the no-confidence motion.
Government MPs cast 264 confidence votes for Prayut, compared to 208 no-confidence votes against the premier cast by opposition MPs who had primarily held him responsible for the government’s alleged failure to cope with the pandemic crisis.
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Top: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: NNT
Home Page: The Thai Parliament meeting chamber. Photo: Matichon
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