Kao Klai MP meets with police over alleged defamation of prime Minister
Amornrat Chokpamitkul, a party-list MP of Kao Klai Party, on Saturday met with investigation officers at Nang Leong Police Station in Bangkok in response to police summons.
On August 11 and September 12, 2020 and February this year, Amornrat had posted on her Twitter account accusing Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha of tax evasion and failing to report his assets after receiving monetary benefit of more than Bt3,000 in the form of utility expenses for the military house that Prayut has been living in for more than 10 years.
The posts had been widely shared and criticised, and prompted Apiwat Khanthong, assistant to the minister of the Prime Minister's Office, to file a defamation case against her.
During the short meeting, police notified Amornrat of the case filed against her. Investigation officers then scheduled for her to come in and give the statement to build the case.
After meeting with the police, Amornrat reportedly said that she was not worried about the case as her lawyer had informed her that the punishment could only be a fine.
“I will, however, fight this case in court to the fullest of my ability,” she said, adding that since the prime minister was a public figure, therefore honest criticism against him should be allowed.