A Move Forward Party (MFP) MP yesterday called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to launch a probe against his aide Seksakol Atthawong following the release of an audio clip that suggested he might have a vested interest in the government's lottery ticket quota.
However, Mr Seksakol, a member of a high-level panel tasked with investigating the irregular pricing of lottery tickets, yesterday insisted the clip was doctored to mislead the public and discredit the government.
The clip, which was posted on Facebook by lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd, was a phone conversation between Mr Seksakol and Jureeporn Sinthuprai, an attache to the PM's Secretariat Office, about lottery ticket quota and the crackdown on overpriced tickets.
Thirajchai Phanthumat, MFP list-MP and spokesman of the House committee on corruption prevention, said yesterday the prime minister should suspend Mr Seksakol and order an investigation into his conduct.
As Mr Seksakol was appointed to tackle overpriced lottery tickets, the government should act to dispel any suspicions prompted by the clip, he said.
Mr Seksakol and Ms Jureeporn yesterday lodged a complaint with Dusit Police against a man identified only as "Gig", who allegedly recorded the conversation between the pair.
While admitting that he was the person in the clip, Mr Seksakol said the conversation was a joke and part of it was doctored to discredit the prime minister.
He said he has clarified the matter with Gen Prayut, who told him not to make such jokes in the future.
Ms Jureeporn said she had put the call with Mr Seksakol on speaker, which allowed another person to record their conversation.
Gen Prayut said yesterday he told Mr Seksakol that he would not be spared punishment if he is found to have broken the law. That said, the premier went on to say no action will be taken for the time being.