Ruttaphon revealed that the DSI has summoned the Phuket MP from the Prachachon Party to clarify the issue of holding land and real estate as a nominee for foreigners on 31 August. He insisted there is no political harassment, as evidence has been gathered for a long time. Meanwhile, in the Forex case involving Pawut, the case file is still being compiled.
On 28 August 2026, Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon Naowarat, Minister of Justice, spoke about rumors that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) issued a summons for Somchat Techathaworncharoen, Phuket MP from the Prachachon Party, to investigate suspicions of acting as a nominee holding shares for foreigners in land and real estate in Phuket. He said they are offering fairness by allowing him to clarify on 31 August. The DSI has already compiled a substantial case file; officials collected documents and evidence before the news broke, mostly forensic evidence, with fewer personal witnesses, focusing on documents and accounts.
When asked whether the DSI found the evidence independently or if someone filed a complaint, Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon said he was not sure of the details but noted that local Phuket media had reported on this issue. He was uncertain if these reports led to a formal complaint to the DSI.
Asked about views that this might be political harassment amid the Prachachon Party’s investigation into Senate collusion, Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon said these matters must be distinguished. This concerns wrongdoing and is government policy. If an MP commits an offense, it harms the country. Regarding legal parliamentary immunity during sessions, that will be addressed accordingly. He emphasized they are not implying the MP committed a crime, as they are giving a chance to explain before the DSI analyzes the data further.
When asked about the progress in the case of Pawut Pongwitthayaphanu, list MP from the Prachachon Party, linked to the Forex case, Police Lieutenant General Ruttaphon said the DSI is collecting evidence. There is a timeline for submitting the case file, but he did not know details. The DSI can proceed with prosecution directly, as case files do not pass through the Ministry of Justice first.