Well-known businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbutr was attacked, but not by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's security personnel, inside a five-star hotel on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said Friday.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung: PM's security personnel did not assault the anti-Thaksin businessman.
Mr Chalerm called a press briefing to explain the incident and showed images caught on closed circuit television cameras in the Four Seasons Hotel on Ratchadamri Road.
From the images Mr Ekkayuth was sitting in the lobby when a man wearing a pair of jeans approached him and assaulted him. The assailant then fled and security guards failed to catch him, the deputy premier said.
"The prime minister's security personnel don't wear jeans, as claimed by Mr Ekkayuth, and he has no role in politics and the government is not at loggerheads with him.
"It is my analysis that the assault might stem from a personal dispute involving Mr Ekkayuth, or a sexual affair, or that maybe the incident was a set up," said the deputy prime minister.
He also said the attack happened after Ms Yingluck had left the hotel.
"Mr Ekkayuth should file a police complaint since he seems to knows the attacker's appearance well," he said.
Well-known businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbutr points to his right eye after saying he was physically assaulted inside a five-star hotel in Bangkok on Feb 9, 2012. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)
The prime minister did attend a meeting on the seventh floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, and she was accompanied by both female and male security personnel, he said.
Mr Chalerm said he was not concerned about Mr Ekkayuth's claim or if he wanted to disclose more information relating to the incident to the media and on a social media website.
He said Mr Ekkayuth can reveal more information if it is useful but he might face legal action if he makes false accusations.
National police chief Priewpan Damapong took the same tone as Mr Chalerm, saying it was unlikely that the premier's security personnel attacked the real estate businessman, a long-time critic of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Pol Gen Priewpan, who is Ms Yingluck's cousin, said the prime minister would not resort to violence because she is a woman.
He urged Mr Ekkayuth to file a complaint with the police so they can examine the evidence, such as his medical report.
The police chief said he had instructed the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Division 5 to gather all evidence relating to the incident.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)
However, Prime Minister Yingluck said she did not attend a meeting on the seventh floor of the hotel, contradicting Mr Chalerm.
"As a prime minister, I can go and meet anyone in an open venue and there's nothing wrong with it," said Ms Yingluck.
She said she would not take legal action against Mr Ekkayuth, who yesterday said it would unnerve many people if he revealed the names of those seen with Ms Yingluck at the hotel.
Mr Ekkayuth said the man who punched him in the face was in uniform and that witnesses told him the man was close to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin.
He also said then he was curious to know why Ms Yingluck set a meeting venue in a private room instead of a hotel restaurant, and accusation Ms Yingluck denied today.