The Pheu Thai Party denied on Tuesday that one of its MP is involved with online gambling networks, after reports emerged suggesting a link between that individual and related websites.
Party secretary-general Prasert Jantararuangthong said after the reports surfaced he contacted the MP, who rejected all the allegations.
Mr Prasert said the party welcomed public scrutiny but noted that the MP in question would consult his legal advisers to consider what can be done to protect his reputation.
Mr Prasert, a former digital economy and society minister, said that during his tenure, the government blocked many illegal gambling websites and other suspicious sites under the cybercrime law and other legislation.
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) also investigated financial transactions linked to those platforms, he said, when asked about whether during his time overseeing the DES Ministry, authorities had examined possible connections between politicians and online gambling networks.
He described online gambling as a serious public concern and said it is likely to be among the key issues raised during a planned no-confidence motion to challenge the Bhumjaithai Party-led minority government.
He said the party is in the process of gathering information for this.
Pheu Thai has held talks with former coalition partners, including the Chartthaipattana and Democrat parties, about the possibility of seeking such a motion, he noted.
Mr Prasert said Pheu Thai is not part of the opposition whip and so he is not aware of whether the main opposition People’s Party would initiate its own motion or team up with Pheu Thai on this.
The party veteran urged the government to move ahead with the process of trying to amend the constitution before the plan to dissolve the House is actualised.
This has been tentatively set for the end of January.
He said there is still enough time to complete the second and third readings of the amendment bill.
Mr Prasert did not rule out the possibility of the government opting to dissolve the House early to avoid a no-confidence debate.