Health
Thai Lawyer Addresses Allegations Regarding Criminal Record and Identity
Lawyer Phatthaphong Suphakson has publicly denied rumors claiming he served a prison sentence for drug offenses and changed his name to conceal his past.
On July 30, 2026, lawyer Phatthaphong Suphakson, known as 'Lawyer Aun Buriram,' issued a public statement via social media to refute allegations circulating in the media. Reports had suggested that a prominent lawyer in the Isan region had previously served a 16-year prison sentence for drug-related crimes and subsequently changed his name to bypass professional background checks.
In his response, Phatthaphong clarified his personal history, explaining that his name changes occurred during his childhood. He stated that he was originally registered as 'Kriangkrai Phonthaisong' at birth, but his name was changed to 'Phatthaphong' shortly thereafter while he was still an infant. Later, at the age of nine, his father changed the family surname to 'Suphakson.' He maintains that he has never served time in prison and has not changed his name to obscure his identity as an adult.
For residents and travelers, this situation highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding public figures and legal professionals in Thailand. While this matter is currently a personal dispute involving reputation and professional integrity, it serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information in the local media landscape. As of now, the specific claims regarding the alleged criminal history remain unverified, and the lawyer has challenged his critics to provide evidence to support their accusations.
Translated from Thai.
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