Kunakorn, the Glatham Party candidate for MP in Nonthaburi's 6th district, filed a police complaint against the Prachachon Party candidate and his team over an incident involving a middle finger gesture and being pushed. He then released a statement expressing suspicion that the event was staged to provoke and politically discredit him.
On the evening of 5 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Kunakorn Muntheiray, Glatham Party candidate for MP in Nonthaburi's 6th district and former Prachachon Party MP for the same district before switching parties, was campaigning with his team at Chumphon Phanit Market, Bang Maenang Subdistrict, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi. He unexpectedly encountered the Prachachon Party's campaign team inside the market. A young man from the Prachachon team made a middle finger gesture and mimed shooting a gun at him, then suddenly pushed Kunakorn's chest. Campaign assistants from both sides intervened to separate them.
At 11:00 on 6 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Kunakorn, accompanied by a lawyer, went to file a police report at Bang Maenang Police Station, Nonthaburi, against the young man involved and Sutath Meesiri, the Prachachon Party candidate for the 6th district.
Kunakorn said that yesterday evening, while he and his campaign team were at Chumphon Phanit Market after canvassing and preparing to leave, they saw the Prachachon Party's candidate team for the same district entering the market. A young man wearing a Prachachon Party shirt, whom Kunakorn did not know despite his former affiliation with the party, showed displeasure by making a middle finger gesture and mimicking shooting him. Kunakorn just watched, but the young man then pushed him without any provocation. Campaign assistants from the Prachachon Party stepped in to restrain the man. Concerned the situation might escalate, Kunakorn and his team left.
Kunakorn stated he did not understand the motive behind the hostile behavior, especially since he had previously belonged to the Prachachon Party and still respected it, with many friends and colleagues remaining there. He said the Prachachon Party candidate should properly manage and train their campaign staff to respect others' rights. He decided to file a complaint to protect his rights and dignity, as the acts constituted intimidation, harassment, and public insult.
Before filing the complaint, Kunakorn consulted his lawyer about whether to pursue legal action against the Prachachon Party candidate as well. After seeing a statement issued by Sutath Meesiri, the Prachachon candidate, suggesting the incident was staged to provoke and damage Kunakorn’s reputation, Kunakorn felt it was a defamatory accusation. After consulting his lawyer, he decided to file an additional complaint against Sutath Meesiri, beyond the initial complaint against Teerathon Thanapanich (Mark), the person who made the middle finger gesture and pushed him.
