Justice Minister Responds to Defamation Lawsuit

On September 2, 2026, Justice Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Rutthapol Naowarat addressed a defamation lawsuit filed against him by lawyer Phatthaphong Suphakson, also known as 'Thana-Un Buriram.' The legal action follows comments made by the Minister regarding the lawyer's personal and family background.

Speaking at Government House, Minister Rutthapol stated that he welcomes the court proceedings, noting that it provides a formal venue to present evidence. He argued that previous media coverage of his remarks, specifically those from August 25, had been selectively edited, leading to misunderstandings. He further pointed to a video posted by the lawyer on August 21, which he characterized as an unprovoked verbal attack. Regarding the lawyer's demand for his resignation and the threat of an ethics investigation, the Minister stated that any such claims must be evaluated against constitutional standards for ethical conduct.

For residents and visitors, this public dispute highlights ongoing tensions within the Thai political sphere. While the situation remains a domestic legal matter, it underscores the high level of scrutiny faced by government officials. It remains to be confirmed how the court will rule on the defamation claims and whether the ethics complaint will proceed to a formal investigation. Observers are waiting to see if further evidence will be presented by either party during the judicial process.