Supachai refutes Monporn's claim that the 10,000 baht digital wallet funds were diverted to the Khon La Khrueng Plus program, affirming the project was suspended during the Paethongtarn government. He vows to file a complaint with the Election Commission for defamation and damaging popularity.
On 3 January 2025 GMT+7, Supachai Jaisamut, a party-list candidate and Bhumjaithai party leader, responded to an incident on 14 December 2024 GMT+7 in Renunakorn District, Nakhon Phanom Province. There, Monporn Charoensri, Pheu Thai candidate for Nakhon Phanom and former Deputy Minister of Transport, told the public that the government's 10,000 baht digital wallet project under Paethongtarn Shinawatra was halted because the minority government at the time redirected the budget to the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” program. Supachai said this was false information that misled the public.
Supachai explained that the 10,000 baht digital wallet project was suspended during Paethongtarn's government due to objections from several agencies, including the National Economic and Social Development Council, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and the Council of State, which cited potential legal conflicts. Consequently, the project could not proceed as originally planned and was reconsidered for other alternatives.
Supachai added that using this issue in a campaign speech misleads the public into believing that the current government led by Anutin Charnvirakul diverted the digital wallet budget to the Khon La Khrueng Plus program, which is untrue because the digital wallet project had already been discontinued. Monporn, who was a minister in the coalition government at the time, was well aware of the suspension order.
“Such speech to the public constitutes defamation. If believed, it could cause voters to reject Bhumjaithai, which violates election laws. Dr. Alongkot Maneekat, Bhumjaithai's candidate for Nakhon Phanom, will file a complaint with the provincial election director, and the party will also file a complaint with the central Election Commission as the victim of false accusations that mislead the public and harm popularity. We are determined to pursue legal action in all election law violations against the party or its candidates.”