BANGKOK — 15 September 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn on Tuesday reiterated that the Bhumjaithai Party had no involvement in the alleged Senate election collusion case, rejecting claims that people named by the Election Commission (EC) were part of his political network.
Phiphat spoke to reporters at Government House at 09:50 as he arrived to chair a Cabinet meeting.
Reporters initially asked him about the EC’s decision not to refer Bhumjaithai executive committee members for prosecution in the Senate collusion case. Phiphat initially declined to comment, saying the issue was unrelated to him.
When reporters pressed him over claims linking people referred for prosecution by the EC to his network, Phiphat stopped and responded.
“We have to make it clear that I have nothing to do with the senators,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had repeatedly stated that Bhumjaithai was not involved.
Phiphat said the party could not interfere in Senate affairs because senators do not belong to political parties.
Asked about claims that certain individuals were part of his political base or network, Phiphat said political figures naturally have friends across the political spectrum.
“As politicians, it is normal for us to have friends. I am not denying that we know each other, but we cannot support or assist them,” he said.
Asked whether he felt relieved following the EC decision, after opposition parties had repeatedly raised the issue, Phiphat said the opposition could continue pursuing the matter.
“That is their right,” he said, again stressing that Bhumjaithai could not interfere in the Senate.
Phiphat was also asked whether he had spoken with Deputy Interior Minister Worasilp Liangprasert, whose father, Somkiat Liangprasert, is among those the EC has referred for prosecution in the Senate collusion case.
“Not yet. I haven’t seen him. We will probably talk,” Phiphat said.
He also said he had not yet discussed the matter with Anutin, who is Bhumjaithai leader, because the prime minister was in Vietnam on an official assignment.
Asked whether he was concerned about the opposition’s plan to raise the Senate collusion case during a no-confidence debate, Phiphat said he was not worried.
“You debate us. We have to answer with the truth,” he said.
Asked whether the government would be able to move forward smoothly once the issue was over, Phiphat replied: “You should ask the prime minister.”
