Pakamon received a petition from journalists claiming they were targeted by SLAPP lawsuits after investigating government projects. The House Committee on Political Development, along with Senators, criticized the Prime Minister and the Bhumjaithai Party for threatening to sue iLaw's Yingcheep, raising concerns that anti-SLAPP legislation might be neutered before entering Parliament.
23 July 2026 GMT+7 The House Committee on Political Development, Mass Communication, and Public Participation of the House of Representatives Led by Ms. Pakamon Noon-anun List MP of the People's Party and Chair of the committee received a letter from Ms. Porntip Mongyai, news editor of a television station, regarding a SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) defamation case stemming from the news team’s field investigation of a government project in Na Dee District, Prachinburi Province, implemented under the Ministry of Interior’s regulations.
The news team found irregularities in the project’s execution and subsequently faced harassment through anonymous phone calls and being followed by a car before being sued for defamation by advertisement. Today, the complainant requested the committee to send observers to monitor the case and submitted the letter as this is their final fight since they will soon lose their status as a journalist. They wish to perform their duty one last time, passing the responsibility to the committee to protect citizens' rights to freedom of expression and participation in overseeing government projects, as well as protecting local people currently facing lawsuits, in line with human rights principles that grant citizens the constitutional right to oversee state projects.
Ms. Pakamon said she wishes to encourage journalists to continue their work honestly despite facing multiple challenges. The committee has compiled cases of journalists and citizens sued over the past three months since the government led by Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul has seen lawsuits against citizens and SLAPP cases against the media. The committee will include this as an agenda item and invite relevant agencies for information. She reaffirmed that journalists’ duty to reveal truth is a fundamental journalistic ethic and urged verifying facts rather than silencing others through lawsuits, as lawsuits cannot change the truth. The committee plans to visit Prachinburi province and will oversee this case as well.
Meanwhile, Mr. Anusorn Kaewwichian, Nonthaburi MP of the People's Party and a proponent of four anti-SLAPP bills amending the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Civil and Commercial Code, and the Computer Crime Act, said these bills have completed public hearings and are awaiting scheduling by the parliamentary speaker. He noted that recently, Mr. Anutin of the Bhumjaithai Party threatened to sue Mr. Yingcheep Atchanon, director and project manager of Internet Law for People's Rights (iLaw). He questioned the Prime Minister and the parliamentary speaker about when the anti-SLAPP legislation will be scheduled for parliamentary discussion.
At the same time, Ms. Porntip submitted a letter to Mr. Noraset Prachayakorn, Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Liberties, and Consumer Protection. Mr. Noraset said the committee is accustomed to receiving such complaints. This reflects the country's use of laws to silence those speaking out for public interest. Since the February election, the Election Commission has sued civil society groups monitoring its work. There have been multiple cases of lawsuits against those conducting public interest oversight, resulting in silencing dissent. Journalistic scrutiny benefits the public. Regarding threats via chat, the committee welcomes such cases for investigation and considers serious measures necessary. In the case of the threat to sue Mr. Yingcheep, who exposed alleged collusion in a senator-related case by Bhumjaithai Party, it shows the difficulty of scrutinizing those in power and independent organizations, affecting those unable to bear legal costs.
Senator Thewarit Maneechai said the judiciary’s stance is clear in SLAPP cases, citing guidance from the Supreme Court president emphasizing disclosure of information related to corruption. Courts have the authority under Criminal Procedure Code section 161/1 to examine and dismiss cases at the preliminary stage. This case involves investigative journalism serving society and democracy for the public good. Journalists gather information but have faced tracking and threats in their work. This cannot be ignored as it affects both journalists and the general public by creating fear that leads to self-censorship. The worst impact falls on the public. For example, the Bhumjaithai Party’s threat to sue Mr. Yingcheep, despite him revealing systematically gathered information, should be publicly disclosed. He urged not to create fear or use the justice system as a tool to silence citizens and journalists.