Anutin Charnvirakul to File Defamation Lawsuit Against iLaw Manager Yingcheep

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed reporters at 09:50 AM on July 23, 2023, confirming that legal counsel has been assigned to move forward with a defamation case, according to reporting by the source. The legal action stems from social media posts published on Facebook by Yingcheep Atchanont, manager of the Internet for Public Law Project, known as iLaw.

Bhumjaithai Legal Action and Yingcheep’s Response

The dispute centers on public statements made by Yingcheep regarding nine individuals who may be linked to the 2024 Senate selection case. After the Bhumjaithai Party announced it would press ahead with defamation charges, Yingcheep published a Facebook post asking the party to reconsider its decision, according to the source. Yingcheep stated that he has never wanted to face lawsuits and does not wish to use a defamation trial as a defendant’s platform to prove facts, emphasizing that his reluctance stems not from fear of losing, but from a belief that using the law in such a manner lacks proper standards and elegance.

According to the source, Yingcheep maintained that the information he presented regarding alleged irregularities in the Senate selection was not new, pointing out that witnesses and individuals with firsthand knowledge have spoken about the matter publicly on multiple occasions. He argued that if the party believes the information is incorrect, it can issue a public clarification for society to evaluate.

Scope of the Review and Parliamentary Oversight

Yingcheep stated that his actions involved compiling facts from numerous witness testimonies to present them to the opposition for parliamentary scrutiny, acting as a citizen seeking to participate in verifying whether government figures engaged in corruption, as reported by the source. He noted that if subsequent investigations find the allegations baseless, the matter would conclude, adding that he holds no power to take further action.

Furthermore, Yingcheep asserted that questions regarding the actions of government officials can arise at any time, and those aware of the facts hold the right to speak out within their roles, according to the source. When asked whether the legal filings would advance during the week, Anutin told reporters he remained uncertain of the exact timeline, confirming only that his lawyers have been given full responsibility for the case.