Nattapong sees that Thaksin does not need to trade votes in the no-confidence debate and criticizes the prime minister's lawsuit against Ice Rakchanok as politically motivated, warning that no one will dare to criticize those in power in the future now that such actions are taken.
At 15:45 on 31 Oct 2026 GMT+7. Mr. Nattapong Rueangpanyawut, party-list Member of Parliament (MP) and leader of the People's Party (PP). He was interviewed regarding the reports that Mr. Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister, was pressuring government officials and the Social Peace Promotion Committee to accept the amnesty petition in exchange for votes in the no-confidence debate. He said there was no need for such negotiations because the Social Peace Promotion Act had already passed and all case reviews followed the law. He did not think there was any special negotiation to trade votes for this case. In fact, Thaksin has full legal rights under this law.
Regarding whether there was a vote exchange with the Pheu Thai Party (PT) to support all 18 ministers of the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), Nattapong stated, he personally maintains that legally Thaksin has the right and does not need to trade votes. But if such an exchange did happen, it would be unacceptable. Thaksin would not need to negotiate because he can fully exercise his rights under the normal legal process. Asked if he feared political interference or interference with civil servants' duties, Nattapong said that if that were true, neither he nor the public would accept it.
Meanwhile, Nattapong commented on the case where Mr. Ekaphop Pianpiset, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, posted remarks about Nattapong's interview on 30 October, implying it defended Ms. Rakchanok Srinok, a party-list MP of the People's Party, who was charged after sharing a fake bank transfer slip to the prime minister's account from the Godd Dam page. He said that online news includes both deliberate attacks and people sharing news indiscriminately. Each case must be considered individually. If asked whether it was political discrimination, he noted that the government and the prime minister have filed lawsuits against many people, but the prime minister has selectively prosecuted only some individuals, which he suspects are political opponents.
Therefore, it is quite clear that these prosecutions have political motives behind them. He expressed that public figures must accept criticism, whether right or wrong. He believes prime ministers and politicians as public figures should have more maturity and patience, rather than suing anyone who criticizes them, even if the information is inaccurate. Doing so creates an atmosphere where Thai society fears criticizing politicians, which is undesirable. He thinks the prime minister's actions are creating such an atmosphere.
Regarding the recent police summons of Ms. Rakchanok at Thonglor Police Station to acknowledge charges, Nattapong said they have discussed this internally. However, he called on all state officials in the justice system, including the police, to carry out all cases equally, without some cases being expedited while others affecting the public must wait indefinitely. He wants officials to exercise their authority straightforwardly without hidden reasons or backers.
When asked about the case of a page owner sent to the Criminal Court where bail was denied due to possible social harm, Nattapong said as this is a court order, he cannot directly criticize it. But he added that this kind of atmosphere makes most people afraid to criticize those in power. He believes that in a democracy, the media and the public have a duty to regularly scrutinize politicians and should not fear authorities because the constitution guarantees these rights. He hopes this case does not become one that forces us to censor our own criticism.