Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied allegations that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is being used to discredit the main opposition People's Party (PP) following an investigation into list-MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu over alleged links to a forex scam.
Speaking at Government House on Monday, Mr Anutin dismissed claims that the probe was politically motivated, insisting he has no intention of weaponising the agency.
"If I were trying to politically harass people, many others would have already been targeted. I have never thought of doing such things," he said.
When asked whether the case was retaliation for Mr Pawoot's recent criticism of the government's TH-AI Passport project, Mr Anutin said legal procedures must simply run their course.
Meanwhile, Mr Pawoot stated on Facebook that he is gathering documents to clarify the allegations with the DSI and pledged full cooperation.
He noted that because the incident occurred several years ago, collecting records from financial institutions to brief both the DSI and his party will take some time.
The controversy erupted after the DSI named Mr Pawoot during a progress report on its investigation into illegal forex investment networks.
PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said on Monday that Mr Pawoot has already addressed the matter publicly and is ready to cooperate with authorities.
However, he noted that the party is waiting for clearer details from the DSI regarding the exact nature of the allegations, emphasising that Mr Pawoot remains only a suspect at this stage.
PP secretary-general Picharn Chaowapattanawong stated that while the party has strict internal disciplinary procedures and will not protect anyone found guilty of wrongdoing, the timing of the leak raises concerns.
He said that the PP had recently intensified its scrutiny of the TH-AI Passport project, raising fears that the DSI's allegations are a targeted attempt to undermine Mr Pawoot's credibility.
