Bangkok: The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched an investigation into Senator Nanthana for alleged ethical misconduct following her controversial remarks alluding to a "pork butcher" senator. This investigation follows a series of complaints against her, including an additional complaint filed by a group of senators concerning allegations against Minister of Digital Economy and Society, Chaiyanok Chidchob.
According to Thai News Agency, the controversy began during an interpellation session on the TH-AI Passport project when Senator Nantana Nantavaropas made sarcastic remarks towards Chaiyanok Chidchob and his Deputy Minister, Ms. Nan Bunthida Somchai, who was answering on Chaiyanok's behalf. Ms. Nantana's comments about needing to learn "Tinglish" if Mr. Chaiyanok had answered, and her insistence on using plain Thai, were criticized by some senators as damaging to the Senate's image. These remarks have raised questions about her adherence to ethical standards in political office.
A group of senators expressed concerns over Ms. Nanthana's approach, emphasizing the need for constructive debate within the Senate. They argued that her sarcastic remarks could lead to further conflict, prompting some senators to consider filing a complaint with the NACC to investigate potential ethical violations. This is not the first instance of ethical scrutiny for Ms. Nanthana; she was previously found by a majority vote to have seriously violated ethical standards, leading to NACC action over derogatory remarks about another senator.
In another ongoing case, Ms. Nanthana and several other senators face accusations of forgery related to signatures on a petition to remove certain senators from office. Although this case was dropped, a complaint persists with the NACC, potentially leading to criminal charges for forgery and misuse of official documents. These cases, if substantiated, could result in significant legal and ethical consequences for Ms. Nanthana and her associates.