"Teng Natthapong" urgently addressed the case of the People's Party candidate for Tak Constituency 2 arrested on charges related to online gambling. He affirmed the party's refusal to tolerate grey-area behavior and declared readiness for decisive action, hoping authorities will investigate all groups and colors fairly.
At 08:00 on 15 January 2026 at the People's Party headquarters, Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, held a press conference regarding Mr. Ratchapong Soisuang, candidate for Tak Constituency 2 from the People's Party, who was detained by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) on allegations of involvement with an online gambling website. The party was informed of the matter by Ratchapong's lawyer last night.
Mr. Natthapong stated that the People's Party has a clear policy and approach of not accepting grey-area behaviors, including corruption, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit funding, scamming, or online gambling. If any party member, regardless of position, engages in such behaviors, the party will neither protect nor conceal the wrongdoing. The accused must undergo the justice process to prove themselves under the law.
In the past, the party's disciplinary or executive committees have investigated all MPs or party politicians who were reported without exception. If wrongdoing was found, proportionate penalties were applied. This principle has been demonstrated, for example, in cases where the former Move Forward Party revoked membership of ex-MPs accused of sexual harassment or misconduct.
The People's Party firmly adheres to a zero-tolerance principle against corruption, criminal acts, or other serious offenses.
Mr. Natthapong expressed hope that government or official actions in this case and future cases will genuinely target politicians linked to influential crime networks involved in drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit funding, scamming, or online gambling—not merely serve political agendas ahead of elections.
When asked further by the media, Mr. Natthapong said he learned of the case last night and reiterated that the party had previously received complaints though not directly about this case. The party has conducted investigations using its internal mechanisms but lacks the state authority to access data like the police. The party has acted proportionately based on available evidence. Today, having received more information as announced, the party is acting fully without exception.
No party personnel have been exempted. Mr. Ratchapong is currently in police custody, and the party's legal team is prepared to consult with him and proceed according to party regulations.
Regarding the candidate for Tak Constituency 2, the party cannot find a replacement candidate for this district. The People's Party reiterates it will not tolerate such issues; if evidence is found, it will take proportionate action. The party hopes the police will conduct investigations transparently and without bias, examining all candidates and politicians from all parties and colors equally, based on factual evidence, and take full action against those involved.
Mr. Natthapong emphasized that upon learning the news, the party acted promptly and transparently. The party had received genuine complaints before and sent representatives to investigate and check criminal records, but lacked access to in-depth evidence like the police. When questioned, Mr. Ratchapong denied involvement. The party awaits clear evidence; if confirmed, it will act decisively immediately.
Mr. Natthapong acknowledged that such news arises during election campaigning and impacts the party, but the People's Party never ignores such cases. Background checks are routinely conducted on candidates. Since this is the second such incident for the party, internal reviews continue daily, though the party lacks the tools of government authorities. He again called on officials to investigate all individuals fully and without discrimination.