Phiphat believes his son, Chalat, is not involved in Senate vote rigging and points out that MPs from political parties have no right to interfere in Senate selection. He states that if the opposition has evidence, they are ready to respond in parliament and threatens legal action if accusations are baseless without proof.,
At 13:30 on 26 Aug 2026 at the Santi Maitri Building, Government House, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, was interviewed about allegations linking his son, Chalat Ratchakitprakarn, a party-list MP and executive committee member of the Bhumjaithai Party, to Senate vote rigging. He said he has not been involved or inquired into the case and asked rhetorically which Senators Chalat might have met or spoken with and about what.
When asked if there were talks with 19 Senators, Phiphat expressed surprise and said that Chalat likely was not involved in that because he is a party-list MP focused on constituency work, and has no involvement with Senators. Moreover, MPs should not be involved with Senators, as Senators cannot command political parties. Therefore, anyone making such claims should be asked what their intentions or reasons are behind those statements.
"Importantly, MPs affiliated with political parties have no legal right to interfere with Senators who are not party-affiliated, which is a legal issue. Therefore, I believe Chalat does not know those individuals. For accurate information, ask Chalat directly. I have not followed the news closely due to heavy ministry duties but affirm that political parties and Senators have no connection as a matter of fact," Phiphat said.
When asked if he is ready to respond to the opposition if they raise the Senate vote rigging issue in a no-confidence debate, Phiphat said the Prime Minister has already given an interview on this matter, and they will follow that position. He emphasized that as a political party member and a party-list MP, Chalat has no connection with Senators or their selection process.
"This is the fact I want to communicate. Whoever tries to link me politically is welcome to raise it in parliament. The most important thing is whether there is evidence. If accusations are baseless, then we will meet again in another forum. But I assure you, I have never been worried," he added.
When asked if he plans to take legal action if the opposition has no evidence, Phiphat said that is appropriate. If rights are infringed or we are falsely accused, we must defend ourselves and protect our rights. People should not just say anything without evidence. I affirm that members of the Bhumjaithai Party are party members and cannot interfere with the Senate selection.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister entered the Santi Maitri Building to chair the committee meeting for organizing the royal cremation ceremony of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, Princess Rajasarinisiri Patchra, the Princess Royal. Phiphat referred all questions about the Senate vote rigging case to the Prime Minister.