‘Shady giveaway’ claim irks progressive group

The Progressive Movement has threatened legal action against a politician who claimed its giving away of cash raised as part of relief efforts to more than 2,000 people affected by the Covid-19 pandemic was shady.

Boonkua Pussathewo, a former MP assistant in the Bhumjaithai Party, said in his Facebook on Monday the movement’s cash giveaway was questionable.

In May, the organisation staged an online charity concert on May Day to raise money for people in financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic.

Pannika Wanich, the movement’s cofounder, later announced that 7.2 million baht was raised.

She said the money was enough to give 2,427 people, 3,000 baht each, although more than a million had applied for a handout.

Mr Boonkua said in his Facebook he found many discrepancies regarding the names of the recipients which are displayed on a website. He alleged some names were either duplicated or did not exist on the country’s domicile registration records.

Ms Pannika then tweeted a response, insisting the movement conducted the concert in good faith and kept a record of how much was raised and who the recipients were. She called on Mr Boonkua to back up his allegations with proof.

She also demanded he apologise and remove the post containing the allegation from his Facebook within 24 hours or face court action.

Mr Boonkua, meanwhile, said he stood by his claims.

The movement, meanwhile, has put up a web link with the names of the people who obtained the relief money.