Chao, former deputy spokesperson of the Democrat Party, harshly criticized Supachai for twisting legal principles to sue and silence critics of the Khao Kradong land case, challenging him on the issue and pledging legal defense nationwide against such actions that suppress free speech.
On 11 June 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Chao Meekhuad, former deputy spokesperson of the Democrat Party, posted on his Facebook page about Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, legal officer of the Bhumjaithai Party, who announced plans to sue media and critics over the controversial Khao Kradong land case under the headline “Don’t Use Law to Silence the Khao Kradong Issue.” The post stated that Supachai’s threat to aggressively sue anyone criticizing the Khao Kradong land issue, claiming harm to Bhumjaithai Party, politically highlights the inseparable conflict of interest between Bhumjaithai and the Chidchob family. Legally, Supachai’s claim that the Supreme Court judgment favoring the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) against 35 trespassers does not bind the holders of 995 other land titles, including those owned by the Chidchob family, is a deliberate distortion of facts and legal principles. Besides the Supreme Court ruling, the Central Administrative Court’s final ruling, case number 582/2566, clearly established that the 5,083-rai Khao Kradong land belongs to the SRT under the Railway and Highway Act of 1921. Therefore, this land cannot be granted legal title to any individual. Importantly, the Administrative Court ruled that the Director-General of the Department of Lands has the legal power to immediately revoke any improperly issued land titles without forcing the SRT to pursue eviction lawsuits against residents one by one.
Chao stated that Supachai’s use of his legal status to threaten citizens and media questioning the issue is an abuse of the justice system as a tool to “silence critics” and instill fear. Such conduct contradicts the judiciary’s intent, especially the Supreme Court President’s recent advice emphasizing prevention of strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) to protect citizens’ freedom to scrutinize public issues. Supachai may have forgotten that Bhumjaithai Party and the Chidchob family are "public figures," and the public has the rightful authority to question, investigate, and critique them fairly. Therefore, I declare my position: if any citizen or media outlet criticizes or demands the return of Khao Kradong land, a national asset, with fair critique and is sued by Supachai or party representatives to silence them, I am willing to serve as their lawyer nationwide. We will not allow anyone to use the law as a tool to silence scrutiny. Those who consider suing others must first ask themselves if their hands are clean enough.