Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul explained in detail after photos surfaced of him at the birthday party of a Kla Tham MP, saying he had gone to visit Thammanat Phromphao after receiving images showing he was hospitalized for an earache. He affirmed there was no political matter involved, declined to comment on whether the party was opposition or government, and regarded them as parliament members.
At 12:40 on 22 Oct 2026 GMT+7, at the Thai Khu Fah Building, Government House, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the case of photos showing him celebrating the birthday of a Chiang Mai MP from the Kla Tham Party. The Prime Minister sighed, then asked if there was half an hour to listen to the background story. He explained that on 21 Oct, Lt. Col. Thammanat Phromphao, a party-list MP and Kla Tham leader, sent him photos reporting ear pain and hospital treatment that morning. That evening, while attending a House of Representatives meeting, as he exited the chamber and walked to the second floor, he unexpectedly met Kla Tham MPs Samphan Mayuso and Amin Mayuso from Narathiwat, with whom he is close. He asked if they had visited their senior, and they asked about the reason. He said he had seen photos of hospital treatment. They pointed to the hospital room where Lt. Col. Thammanat was staying, adjacent to the elevator he was about to use.
Upon learning this, he entered the room and saw them blowing out a cake with a female Kla Tham MP from Chiang Mai, along with Narumon Pinyosinwat (party-list MP), Akara Phromphao (Phayao MP), and Attakorn Sirilattayakorn (Chachoengsao MP). He joined in but nothing more. He said if there was anything secretive, he would not have stood there for photos since hundreds were taking pictures in the room.
When asked if the photos were released by Kla Tham, the Prime Minister said he entered with two others including MP Watcharapong Kuwijitsuwan from Saraburi as they were heading to their cars. He emphasized he had no need to hide as everyone knows each other. He stated that roles as opposition or government are duties, but personal friendships remain. He said the visit was just that, and when photos appeared, he did not know how to explain. There was no political issue. They sang Happy Birthday, gave customary wishes, then parted.
When asked about the nature of the friendship and which side Kla Tham is considered to be on, the Prime Minister said he knows many Kla Tham leaders personally.
Reporters pressed whether Kla Tham is opposition or government in the House. Prime Minister Anutin responded by asking if Kla Tham is currently part of the government coalition, and why it matters which side they are on. He views them as MPs whose duty is to protect the interests of the people who elected them.
