Chonnapat Naksua, a Klatham Party MP for Songkhla, on Thursday denied allegations linking him to a gambling network after activist Atchariya Ruangrattanapong claimed a politician whose name starts with ‘Ch’ was connected to gambling websites.
Mr Chonnapat said financial transactions cited by Mr Atchariya stemmed from an investigation in 2021 that had already been thoroughly examined. The MP insisted he had no ties to any criminal network.
‘The documents relate to a past case that has already gone through the process. There’s nothing new here,’ he said, adding that he had no personal conflict with Mr Atchariya and questioned the activist’s motive in reviving a matter he considers resolved.
In defence of his colleague, Capt Thamanat Prompow, Klatham’s chief adviser and Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister, said the allegations dated back to before Mr Chonnapat entered politics and had already undergone judicial scrutiny.
‘Mr Chonnapat deserves the opportunity to explain himself,’ Capt Thamanat said. ‘Many politicians have pasts, but what matters is whether they have already gone through due process. We must avoid using old cases as political weapons.’
Capt Thamanat added that Klatham would strengthen its vetting process for future members and candidates to ensure transparency and prevent similar controversies.
While the case is being treated as an individual matter, the party’s legal and strategic teams will monitor any potential impact on the party’s reputation.
Mr Chonnapat’s statement came after Mr Atchariya, chairman of the Help Crime Victims Club, on Wednesday submitted to the justice minister what he said was financial evidence linking a southern politician to online gambling networks. He claimed that more than 72 million baht had been transferred to the politician and that a previous case was dropped after an arresting officer withdrew his testimony.
Meanwhile, opposition People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome, who chairs the House Committee on National Security and Border Affairs, said the panel would investigate the alleged connection between politicians and Cambodia-based scam operations.
The committee had also summoned several politicians, but none appeared.