Chuwit resurfaces with mission to bring down People’s Party

Chuwit Kamolvisit, the self-declared “super pimp” turned whistleblower, has turned his sights on the opposition People’s Party, just weeks before the February 8 general election.

He launched his attack by accusing the “orange party” – now topping pre-election opinion polls – of betraying the 14 million people who voted for it in 2023 by backing Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul to become prime minister.

Chuwit claimed he was among voters who helped Move Forward, the People’s Party’s predecessor, secure the highest number of seats in the last election.

Mocking crusade against ‘grey money’

He followed up by claiming the People’s Party campaign was infected by candidates financed with “grey money” from illegal online gambling and money laundering.

In late December, Boonyarit Raorungrot was forced to withdraw as a People’s Party candidate for Bangkok after being arrested on money laundering charges. Two weeks later, a People’s Party candidate in Tak province, Ratchapong Soisuwan, was detained by cybercrime police for alleged involvement in online gambling operations.

Chuwit was quick to mock the progressive party’s campaign slogan against “grey money”.

“How can you deal with the grey money problem when you have these grey people in your party?” he asked.

The self-styled whistleblower also targeted businessman-turned-politician Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who founded the original “orange party” Future Forward. Chuwit accused Thanathorn – who officially serves as a People’s Party campaign assistant – of controlling the party by making its key decisions.

Chuwit claimed that Thanathorn got the party to back Anutin’s PM bid in exchange for Bhumjaithai-led government support for an amendment to rewrite the Constitution.

Thanathorn dismissed the claim, calling it “nonsense”.

Alleging secret deal

But it was Chuwit’s allegations of links with controversial former deputy police chief Surachate Hakparn that sparked the angriest response.

He claimed the party had secretly promised Surachate the post of deputy prime minister overseeing the police force if he helped it secure 10 seats in the South, his home region. Chuwit said Surachate told him about the “agreement” directly.

Surachate was suspended from duty after being charged with involvement in money laundering for an online gambling network.

People's Party deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn hit back at Chuwit’s claim on Tuesday, vowing legal action against individuals spreading false claims and defaming the party ahead of the election.

Chuwit shrugged off the threat, insisting he was motivated by civic duty rather than political hostility and challenging the party to take him to court if it believed his claims were false.

He also rejected accusations that his actions were designed to benefit Bhumjaithai, pointing out that his opposition to its cannabis policy had led to a long legal battle that ended in his acquittal.

Past targets of whistleblower

Now 64, shapeshifting Chuwit has lived many lives – as a massage-parlour tycoon, real-estate mogul, politician, convicted inmate, TV talk-show host, and crusader against Thailand’s chronic corruption – and now scourge of the People's Party.

Critics who question his integrity by citing his shady past get short shrift. The former “tub tycoon” once famously declared: “Don’t call me a pimp – I’m a super pimp!”

His anti-corruption crusade peaked in late 2022 with a series of bombshell allegations against high-ranking police officers and senior politicians.

Chuwit made headlines again in August 2023, when he revealed he was undergoing treatment for advanced-stage liver cancer.

But the whistleblowing continued, with Chuwit producing evidence against Chinese triad gangs and their alleged accomplices in law enforcement. He also spoke out against senior police officers, accusing them of involvement in online gambling and money laundering.

In early 2023, Chuwit claimed Bhumjaithai, which controlled the Transport Ministry, had awarded the Orange Line metro project to a particular bidder in exchange for 30 billion baht in kickbacks. Anutin and other key party figures denied the allegation.

In August that year, Chuwit accused the freshly appointed prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, of tax fraud during his tenure as CEO of property developer Sansiri. Srettha denied any wrongdoing and sued Chuwit for defamation.