The Executive Editor of The Isaan Record appealed to the parliamentary committee after being sued to silence reporting on labor bribes, confirming that no official withdrawal documents have been received so far. The editor called on the government to seriously investigate human trafficking networks and labor rights violations.
At 13:00 on 25 Mar 2026 at the Parliament press conference room, Mr. Sahaswat Khumkong, together with Mr. Anusorn Kaewwichean, People's Party MP, and a delegation, along with Mr. Tewarit Maneechai, spokesperson for the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Freedoms, and Consumer Protection, received a letter from Ms. Hathairat Paholthap, Executive Editor of The Isaan Record. The letter requested investigation into politicians and authorities abusing media and public freedoms, following a 50 million baht lawsuit filed by Mr. Suchart Chomklin's lawyer on 21 Mar 2026. Ms. Hathairat viewed this as an infringement on press freedom and a blow to The Isaan Record’s morale, as the editorial team has diligently reported on wild berry picker labor issues for over three years. Although Mr. Suchart has authorized his lawyer to withdraw the case citing "honest journalistic work," no official withdrawal documents have yet been received.
Therefore, efforts continue to protect media freedom and seek justice for the affected wild berry pickers until the case's official status is clarified. Using legal action to sue journalists conducting investigative work limits media freedom and risks setting a precedent for SLAPP lawsuits that intimidate ethical journalists. I reject attempts to silence the media through legal threats that violate the right to communicate for the public good. Accordingly, I call upon relevant authorities and the public as follows:
1. Request that involved parties transparently clarify the case status. If the lawsuit is withdrawn, a written announcement should be publicly released.
2. Urge relevant agencies to protect media freedom and ensure journalists can conduct investigative reporting without facing intimidation or improper legal retaliation.
3. Call on the government and law enforcement to seriously and fairly investigate human trafficking and labor rights violations, rather than using legal processes to dismiss or divert attention from core issues. Additionally, improve and regulate the overseas deployment of wild berry pickers fairly and systematically.
4. Appeal to society and the public to support media and citizen journalism, and emphasize the importance of protecting the public's right to access information.
After receiving the letter, Mr. Anusorn Kaewwichean stated that whether media or NGOs, if individuals make mistakes or errors in their statements, imprisonment may not be an appropriate penalty. The People's Party has already announced nine legislative reform packages, including laws to prevent SLAPP lawsuits. Our approach is that actions taken in the public interest should be protected when expressed honestly, whether verbally or otherwise.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sahaswat Khumkong noted that sending Thai workers abroad is problematic, especially to Finland, where opportunities for human trafficking and bribe extortion currently exist. Furthermore, Thai workers endure harsh conditions—exposure to sun, wind, and cold—while picking wild berries. The People's Party will closely monitor these issues, focusing particularly on protecting media freedom and labor rights.