Sakolthee, deputy leader of the Democrat Party (DP), said the party is taking time to investigate the case involving Chaiyachana slapping the deputy superintendent of Thung Yai Police Station. He added the party has measures in place and expects to know the outcome within two days; if true, it will affect the party's image significantly, he said. "Bonghoo" is the deputy superintendent's nickname.
At 14:15 on 13 Aug 2026 GMT+7, at the parliament, Mr. Sakolthee Phattiyakul, list MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, commented on the case where police summoned Mr. Chaiyachana Dedcho, list MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, to acknowledge charges of assault for slapping the deputy superintendent of Thung Yai Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province during a funeral. He said the party is currently investigating and seeking the facts simultaneously. He learned this morning that Mr. Chaiyachana had gone to the Thung Yai police station to acknowledge the charges. The party will verify the facts and take appropriate measures. He asked the public to wait for party leader Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva to make a statement on this matter soon, as discussions are ongoing with the party's executive committee, who have learned the news alongside the media.
When asked whether there might be political motives behind the incident, since both Mr. Chaiyachana and the deputy superintendent had initially denied any violence but the next day charges were filed against Mr. Chaiyachana, Mr. Sakolthee said it was possible. He noted that Mr. Chaiyachana is the deputy party leader responsible for the southern region, so the party wants to verify all facts first. He believes Mr. Abhisit may not yet know all the details since he attended the same funeral on a different day than the incident and was not present when it occurred. The party must check with Mr. Chaiyachana and other sources, and await police findings. If the facts confirm wrongdoing, the party already has measures in place.
When asked if the incident is true, whether it would damage the Democrat Party’s reputation, Mr. Sakolthee said it would indeed harm the party’s image. However, he said they need to hear evidence from both sides first and he cannot comment as he does not yet know the details. When pressed about the Royal Thai Police ordering a formal investigation, he said it depends on the individuals involved and the statements from the deputy superintendent present at the scene, as well as surrounding witnesses and video clips. Clear footage would make denial difficult. The context and nature of the contact must be considered, as touching among friends differs from strangers. He said, to his knowledge, the party leader will make a statement on the matter within the next one to two days.