The People's Party accepts the criticism despite "Phanthil" apologizing for generalizing village chiefs and headmen as involved with drugs. The party points out this violates its principles and values and will refer the matter to the disciplinary and ethics committee for investigation and penalty consideration.
On 4 May 2026, reporters reported that the People's Party (Pop Jaon) issued a statement on the evening of 3 May via the party's social media, includingFacebook,stating that during the parliamentary debate on 30 April 2026, Phanthil Nuamjerm, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bangkok from the People's Party, had made remarks that generalized all village chiefs and headmen nationwide as being involved with drugs.
The People's Party has acknowledged concerns, unease, and criticism from society and networks of village chiefs and headmen across the country. The party affirms its stance in valuing and respecting the duties of people's representatives at all levels, whether national or local.
The People's Party confirms that using language that generalizes all village chiefs and headmen nationwide as connected to illegal activities contradicts the party's principles and values. Although the intent of the debate was to highlight to the government problems where some political figures or officials might be involved in such networks, the careless and excessive communication that led to generalization undermines those who perform their duties honestly. The party disagrees with this and cannot deny responsibility, even though the MP involved recognized the mistake and has apologized. The People's Party is using this case to conduct an investigation and consider disciplinary measures to prevent recurrence.
"Therefore, the People's Party has submitted this matter to the party's disciplinary and ethics committee to immediately conduct an investigation and consider appropriate punishment. The party accepts all straightforward criticism and will use this case as an important lesson to urge MPs and all party personnel to be careful and mature in their duties, in order to uphold standards as a political institution responsible to all groups and sectors of the public."