Pareena insists she is honest, asks court for mercy

Defiant MP Pareena Kraikupt on Thursday insisted she had done nothing wrong, despite an anti-graft agency finding her guilty of serious ethical misconduct over land encroachment.

Ms Pareena, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP for Ratchaburi, took to Facebook to defend her right to occupy the disputed land, saying she had bought it from other farmers and paid all due taxes.

“I have been making an honest living by raising poultry openly and legally and paid taxes,” she posted.

“When the NACC [National Anti-Corruption Commission] forwards the case to the court, it is up to the court to decide whether to suspend me from work temporarily. Therefore, I appeal for mercy from the court.”

NACC spokesman Niwatchai Kasemmongkol said on Wednesday that Ms Pareena had…