By Thai Newsroom Reporters
PEOPLE’S LEADER Nattapong Ruengpanyawut today (April 8) suggested the National Anti-Corruption Commission not file a lese majeste lawsuit against some of his fellow MPs and himself until after Songkran festival later this month so they could take the Bhumjaithai-led government’s policies into account during floor debate scheduled for tomorrow (April 9) and Friday.
The People’s leader advised the NACC not submit the lese majeste lawsuit to the Supreme Court until the two-day floor debate on the government’s policies has elapsed at parliament because the 10 People’s MPs-turned-suspects including himself could not otherwise do their legislative duties if the highly contentious case was lodged and accepted by court on the same day which would likely be as soon as tomorrow – the starting date for the policy debate at parliament.
He was responding to speculation that the NACC would likely file the historic case to court tomorrow and that the Supreme Court may order for the 10 suspected People’s MPs to immediately stop performing their legislative duties pending a future court ruling on the case.
If found guilty as charged in court, they could possibly be banned from engaging in political activity at all levels for a number of years or be sentenced to terms in prison and have their reformist party immediately dissolved.
Nevertheless, the Bhumjaithai-led government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul could probably be accused of conspiring with the anti-graft agency in an alleged shenanigan to keep the suspected People’s MPs from otherwise joining ranks with other elected lawmakers to take floor debate on the government policies, especially in regard to an oil price crisis and the people’s increasing costs of living, by having their legislative duties suspended by court for the time being, according to the People’s leader.
The Bhumjaithai, core of the coalition government under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, are invariably viewed to be covertly connected with a large majority of senators and most members of “independent” agencies whom the pro-Bhumjaithai senators had named, including those attached to the Election Commission, the Constitutional Court and the NACC, among others.
A total of 44 current and former legislators including the 10 People’s MPs and 34 former MPs of the court-dissolved Move Forward have been earlier questionably charged with violating the draconian lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, by endorsing legislation to amend it. Those include former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, People’s MPs Sirikanya Tansakun, Rangsiman Rome, Pakornwut Udompipatsakun and Nattapong, among others.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page – People’s leader Nattapong Ruengpanyawut addressing a press briefing today, April 8, 2026. Photos – PPTVHD36
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