Defense minister denies giving Shinawatra family members top positions

Thailand’s defense minister, Sutin Klungsang, has denied he appointed family members of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to top government positions, referencing an alleged leaked defense minister order that went viral over the weekend.

The 62-year-old defense minister declared that the leak is fake and said he had not appointed any members to his staff including Payap Shinawatra, younger brother of Thaksin, and Payap’s son, Porpong, as his chief advisor and secretary, respectively.

“In regards to the news that I’ve been appointing people to various positions, I would like to clarify that there have been no appointments or preparations for appointments because I am currently unable to assume any official duties and must await the formal process, which is after the government’s policy statement to parliament is complete,” he wrote on…