Democrat Party deputy leader denies sexual misconduct allegations, quits party posts

DEMOCRAT Party’s deputy leader Prinn Panichphakdi today (Apr. 14) denied allegations of sexual misconduct spreading on social media while resigning from all party positions to move on to prove his innocence and verify the truth, Matichon newspaper said.

Prin came under strong attack from netizens after Mr. Sittra Biabangkerd, or Lawyer Tum, secretary-general of the Lawyers for the People Foundation, said in his personal Facebook page that a deputy leader of a large political party had harassed women.

At 3 p.m. today Prinn issued a statement saying he was shocked by what had happened on social media while denying the allegations.

He pointed out that those who knew him would know that he was not that kind of a person and would believe in his innocence.

These allegations were a personal matter, he said, but as he did not want the party to be affected he resigned from all his positions to enter the justice system and prove the truth.

Prinn added that he was not looking at countersuing at this point but wanted the justice system to work and to relate all the details to the officials. He again confirmed that there was no truth to these allegations and that he would not like to look at this issue as being related to politics.

The Democrat Party leader respected his decision and because this was a personal matter did not give any advice, he mentioned.

Prinn added that he had talked to the mother of the 18-year-old woman to reach an understanding and display his sincerity in not running away from problems arising from these accusations. 

He added that the incident involved took place at a crowded restaurant that opens at 5 p.m. and not a hotel.

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Mr. Prinn Panichphakdi resigned as Democrat Party deputy leader today. Photo: Matichon

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