Anutin shrugs off Monaco political pact rumours as Bhumjaithai faces its toughest test. Senate collusion ruling on 229 suspects slips to September while exam fraud probes deepen. The PM insists on party unity and rejects talk of internal splits.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday brushed aside speculation over a Monaco political pact involving Thaksin Shinawatra and Captain Thamanat Promphao as pressure intensified on his government and the Bhumjaithai Party. The Election Commission has delayed until September its decision on possible prosecutions involving 229 people in the Senate collusion case, while the local government examination fraud inquiry continues to widen. Against that backdrop, Mr Anutin declared Bhumjaithai united, rejected rumours surrounding Newin Chidchob and Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, attacked political commentators and defended looming Interior Ministry changes.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday dismissed speculation surrounding a reported meeting in Monaco between former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former deputy prime minister Captain Thamanat Promphao, the de facto leader of the Kla Tham Party.
Asked whether reports of a so-called “Red-Green Monaco Declaration” signalled a new political alignment, Mr Anutin chose humour over analysis. He said mixing red and green eventually produced blue.
The comments came during an increasingly difficult period for the Bhumjaithai Party. Political pressure is building on several fronts. Most significantly, the Senate election collusion investigation continues to dominate attention.
The Election Commission and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) are examining allegations involving senators, ministers, politicians and senior Bhumjaithai figures. Certainly, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and the party have rejected these claims as politically driven.
Election Commission delays Senate collusion ruling as scrutiny of Bhumjaithai intensifies into September
Notably, the Election Commission has confirmed it will not decide whether to prosecute 229 people until September. The announcement delays a ruling previously expected by the end of August.
As a result, uncertainty surrounding one of Thailand’s largest political investigations will continue for several more weeks. The postponement also extends pressure on Bhumjaithai’s leadership as investigators complete their review.
On another front, the government is under scrutiny over alleged fraud in local government civil service examinations. Multiple investigations remain active. Criminal, civil and disciplinary proceedings are under way.
Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission continues examining corruption aspects linked to the case. Together, the investigations have placed the governing party under sustained political pressure.
Against that backdrop, Mr Anutin again sought to present an image of unity inside Bhumjaithai. He firmly rejected speculation over relations between party patriarch Newin Chidchob and Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn. Instead, he insisted the party leadership remained united. He described senior members as family rather than political rivals.
Anutin insists Bhumjaithai remains united as he rejects rumours of divisions among senior party leaders
Earlier this week, Mr Anutin faced questions after posting a photograph on his personal Facebook page. The image showed him alongside Newin Chidchob and Mr Pipat. Newin remains Bhumjaithai’s most influential political strategist and serves as president of Buriram United Football Club. Reporters asked whether the gathering reflected an effort to settle internal disagreements.
In response, Mr Anutin laughed before dismissing the suggestion outright. “Why do we need to resolve conflicts?” he asked. “Are you living in my house? If not, don’t ask. It’s a family matter.”
He then challenged the assumption behind the question. According to Mr Anutin, there had never been any dispute requiring resolution. He questioned how outsiders could claim detailed knowledge of private party relationships. He said the matter belonged solely within the party.
Moreover, Mr Anutin stressed that he, Newin and Mr Pipat had worked together for many years. Their relationship had remained strong throughout that period. If genuine disagreements had ever emerged, they would have been handled privately, he said. However, he insisted no such situation had arisen. Their long association, he added, reflected mutual respect and trust.
Prime Minister attacks rumours and warns against reporting that creates false impressions of party conflict
Separately, Mr Anutin criticised continuing speculation surrounding Bhumjaithai’s internal affairs. He urged reporters not to frame questions that assumed conflict where none existed.
Comments made during interviews, he said, were often lifted from their context. They were then turned into headlines suggesting political divisions. Consequently, he called on journalists to demonstrate greater professionalism and responsibility.
His strongest criticism, however, was directed at political commentators. Mr Anutin accused some analysts of spreading rumours without evidence. He said they presented speculation as fact despite lacking reliable information. He questioned how such people could expect public confidence while promoting unsupported claims.
In addition, he criticised commentators whom he described as attention seekers. They misled the public, spread falsehoods and portrayed themselves as experts, he said.
Some, he added, had no profession yet continued presenting themselves as political analysts. Others, he claimed, were struggling financially while offering political commentary. He questioned why the public should trust their judgments. Education, he added, encouraged people to think critically and analyse information carefully.
Karuna Chidchob’s social media posts dismissed as ministry turns attention to examination fraud inquiry
Reporters also questioned Mr Anutin about recent social media posts by Karuna Chidchob, the wife of Newin Chidchob. Some observers interpreted the messages as reflecting tensions inside the party. One post advised readers to cut off dishonest people, keep good people close and avoid betrayal.
Mr Anutin dismissed that interpretation immediately. “What’s strange about it?” he asked. Instead, he said the message simply warned against associating with insincere people. He again criticised those who deceived the public, spread misinformation and manipulated media coverage for attention. He also repeated his criticism of commentators who claimed expertise without reliable information.
Attention later shifted from party politics to the Ministry of Interior. Speaking at Government House on Thursday morning, Mr Anutin rejected suggestions that the ministry would undergo a “reset” during August. The description, he said, created the wrong impression. A reset implied disruption to government operations. He insisted that was not taking place.
Instead, Mr Anutin acknowledged recent problems within the ministry while defending the government’s response. He described the alleged cheating in local government civil service recruitment examinations as regrettable.
The affair, he said, had caused concern and dissatisfaction among the public. Therefore, he ordered several agencies to conduct parallel investigations rather than relying on a single inquiry.
Anutin defends ministry moves and says appointments will follow operational needs rather than factions
As part of that process, investigators moved quickly, according to Mr Anutin. Within two weeks, they had identified suspects, issued summonses and obtained arrest warrants. Criminal, civil and disciplinary proceedings were already under way. Meanwhile, the National Anti-Corruption Commission continued pursuing corruption investigations arising from the same allegations.
Mr Anutin said the government’s approach remained straightforward. Honest officials would receive full support. Those accused of wrongdoing would face legal action. Equally important, he said, safeguards were being introduced to reduce the risk of similar incidents recurring.
Reporters then asked whether August would bring a major reshuffle within the ministry. Mr Anutin rejected suggestions that the scale of transfers mattered.
Stakes rising in the Senate election collusion case as the opposition opens fire with evidence on file
Two officials face serious criminal charges in exam scandal. Reports suggest 100 people may be called in
Instead, he said appointments should reflect operational requirements and changing circumstances. Every executive had a responsibility to assess personnel continuously. An official suitable today might not be the best choice tomorrow, he said.
Finally, Mr Anutin dismissed suggestions that appointments would favour members of the so-called “Red Lion” civil service network. “This government is red, white and blue,” he said. “There are no other colours.”
Even so, political attention remains focused on the investigations confronting Bhumjaithai as the spearhead of the government. The local examination fraud inquiry continues expanding through multiple agencies. More importantly, the ongoing Senate election collusion controversy ensures the party will remain under intense pressure no matter which way the Election Commission’s decision in September goes.
Against that backdrop, Mr Anutin’s repeated insistence on unity reflects the mounting political pressure facing Thailand’s governing party and now the largest in parliament.
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Further reading:
Ex PM and Democrat Party leader urges politicians implicated in Senate Collusion files to come clean
Opposition and People’s Party leader attacks ‘blue regime’ on the 12th anniversary of the 2014 coup
Thammasat University legal scholar and 1992 protest leader warns another coup cannot be ruled out
