Summary of “Pavin”’s harsh exposé demanding an investigation into “Pisarn,” People's Party candidate for Foreign Minister, who allegedly defended the coup and committed ethical misconduct regarding an affair. The candidate has recently issued clarifications. Tags:[
On 6 Jan 2026, the People's Party (PP) announced its proposed People's Government management team for foreign affairs in the event it forms a government, including: Tags:[ Mr. Pisarn Manawapat Tags:[ Former Thai ambassador to several countries such as the United States and Canada, head of the Thai delegation to the European Union, and a former senator among 250 senators, being one of 13 who voted to confirm Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister in 2023. Tags:[
Immediately following the announcement, a controversy arose when Tags:[ Professor Pavin Chachavalpongpun Tags:[ an academic and a Section 112 refugee, a professor at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University, who served in the Foreign Ministry from 1994 to 2010, called for the People's Party to investigate Mr. Pisarn’s ethics. He alleged that Mr. Pisarn once defended the 2014 coup and committed ethical violations related to an affair. He added that he knows Mr. Pisarn well, having been his direct superior when working at the Department of International Economic Affairs. Tags:[
On 7 Jan 2026, at a certain time, Mr. Pavin posted an open letter on his personal Facebook page stating: Tags:[
“I call on both the People's Party and the media to investigate the qualifications of Mr. Pisarn Manawapat, former Foreign Ministry official recently assigned as the prospective Foreign Minister if the People's Party forms the government. While serving as Thai ambassador to the United States, Mr. Pisarn wrote a letter to the editor of The Washington Post defending General Prayut Chan-o-cha's coup and falsely claimed there were no political prisoners at that time… Tags:[
...Mr. Pisarn committed ethical violations involving an affair during his Foreign Ministry service, escalating to the point where the woman involved filed a complaint with the ministry. The People's Party must clarify whether it investigates the ethics of its own members while scrutinizing other parties.” Tags:[
Later at 11:30 a.m., Tags:[ the People's Party Tags:[ through Mr. Tags:[ Pisarn Manawapat, Tags:[ the People's Government management team member for foreign affairs, issued a statement clarifying the matter. It stated that the content in The Washington Post was not his personal opinion but a briefing drafted by the Foreign Ministry. Regarding the 2014 coup, he did give interviews to Canadian media but never expressed support for the coup. Tags:[ Regarding the affair issue, which occurred 20 years ago, he admitted fault, went through official disciplinary processes, and his family has forgiven him and supports his entry into politics. Details are as follows: Tags:[ “Regarding the accusations about my role as ambassador to the United States defending the NCPO government after the coup, Tags:[
I understand these come from the content of a briefing letter from the Thai Embassy in Washington to The Washington Post editor, Tags:[
which was not my personal statement, Tags:[ but drafted and instructed by the Foreign Ministry. It is standard practice that when any media worldwide reports on Thai politics, the Ministry's Information Department drafts such clarifications and instructs embassies to forward them to editors, who often publish them to provide an alternative perspective for readers' judgment. Tags:[ On the day of the coup, 22 May 2014, I was Thailand’s ambassador to Canada and was urgently invited by two Canadian TV channels for live interviews that day. I decided to appear because I could not wait for Foreign Ministry approval, which was disrupted by protesters. I understood this was important for the country's credibility and to reassure Canadians living in Thailand about their safety. Tags:[
During those interviews, Tags:[
I recall never expressing any support for the coup. Tags:[ The host’s final question was whether I spoke on behalf of the deposed government or the military government. I replied I represented Thailand. Tags:[ For my stance on human rights, please read my Senate speeches collected in the book “Senator’s Report to the People: A Difficult Mission Still Awaiting Action.” Tags:[
Regarding my personal issue from over 20 years ago, I admit fault, underwent disciplinary procedures with my agency, and my family has forgiven me and supports my political work to help advance foreign affairs with dignity based on my real experience.” Tags:[Before Mr. Pisarn’s clarification, Tags:[
Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, People's Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, said that after initial talks and background checks, especially regarding Mr. Pisarn’s stance during his ambassadorship to the U.S. in the NCPO era, he could not speak for Mr. Pisarn’s political views at that time, but as a civil servant in the U.S., he had to perform his duties under the Foreign Ministry’s role. Tags:[
He added, “If we look at his record as a senator, besides voting to confirm Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat, Mr. Pisarn voted in favor of the constitutional amendments to abolish the appointed senate six times. This political position shows alignment with the People's Party’s ideology to some extent.” Tags:[ Mr. Natthapong emphasized that anyone questioning Mr. Pisarn’s political beliefs should ask him directly for the best answers. As party leader, he said the People's Party does not restrict ideas or change efforts. They seek social consensus and openness despite past political conflicts. Tags:[ “We have learned as a society. Even if some still hold past beliefs, if you agree the People's Party is the solution, we are open to working together to find solutions for society.” Tags:[
