Thamanat Prompow. File photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thailand's Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow has firmly rejected claims made during a parliamentary debate that question his qualifications for cabinet membership. The allegations were brought forward by Anusorn Iamsa-ard, a member of the Pheu Thai Party, spotlighting past controversies, including the infamous “flour case” of 1993. Thamanat was sentenced to six years by an Australian court for heroin trafficking, though he served four years before being deported to Thailand.

 

Thamanat, who also holds the position of deputy prime minister, reminded parliament that the Constitutional Court previously ruled in his favour. The court determined that only a criminal conviction in Thailand could disqualify him from serving as an MP or minister. Additionally, the National Anti-Corruption Commission cleared him of gross ethical misconduct, with all legal processes thoroughly followed.

 

Thamanat has called for a cessation of revisiting old matters for political purposes. He asserted that any defamatory statements made against him, even under parliamentary privilege, could result in legal action, suggesting that such disputes be resolved privately. Thamanat stressed his commitment to transparency and having endured scrutiny throughout his career.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

• Thamanat Prompow denies allegations about his cabinet eligibility during a parliamentary debate.
• The Constitutional Court found no disqualifying factor under Thai law regarding his past.
• Thamanat warns of legal repercussions for defamatory remarks outside parliament.

Related Stories:

Thamanat Prompow orders demolition of illicit resorts on Khao Yai farmland

Yacht fleet breakfast: Thaksin and Thamanat’s island meet-up

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-10-01

 

 

He has not changed.

 

Unfortunately, a search of Australian criminal cases suggest that he is wrong.

 

Maybe he should go to Australia and correct the record.

1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said:

Maybe he should go to Australia and correct the record.

 

Wouldn't surprice me if he's blacklisted.

Only criminal records in Thailand are not done... unless you come from Dubai.. All other criminals can do as they like even if they are convicted abroad.. And Thailand is questioning why so many criminals are coming to Thailand... 

2 hours ago, watchcat said:

 

Wouldn't surprice me if he's blacklisted.

Believe he is, criminal record for smuggling flour into Australia (his take on the charges) 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

... suggesting that such disputes be resolved privately.

Sounds like a veiled threat.

3 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Unfortunately, a search

why unfortunate? 

In any case what is not possible to dispute is that this wonderful Thai gentleman is a criminal who did time following his conviction in Australia of a serious drugs crime.

That he has several times during his subsequent rise in Thai domestic politics claimed to have been given a package of cooking flour is not relevant to that conviction.  

 

Who was that "Drugs are Bad" Bloke? Certainly not Captain Flour.🙃🙃

And I know someone who was denied permanent residence solely based on a 1972 USA conviction for possession of 0.3g of ganja.

After returning to Thailand, he was arrested and detained in prison for three years in connection with the murder of a gay man,

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1710831/capt-thammanat-opens-up-about-dubious-past

 

 

The Aussie police and forensics teams must be as thick as mince confusing flour for heroin.

3 hours ago, Will B Good said:

 

 

The Aussie police and forensics teams must be as thick as mince confusing flour for heroin.

Bake bl@@dy good cakes though

Hair dye alert!

On 10/1/2025 at 9:27 AM, JimHuaHin said:

He has not changed.

 

Unfortunately, a search of Australian criminal cases suggest that he is wrong.

 

Maybe he should go to Australia and correct the record.

 

He's not refuting the fact that he was convicted; he's refuting the claims that he is ineligible to be a cabinet minister due to the conviction.