Statement By Hon Taito Phillip Field Regarding Phongphat Thachaikhunpol

The media is making further allegations against me regarding work done on 51 Church Street by Phongphat Chaikhunpol.

I confirm that I never asked Mr Chaikhunpol to do painting at 51 Church Street. I did not know that he had done the work until these allegations surfaced. I certainly never asked him to undertake work for me in return for me assisting him to obtain a New Zealand work permit.

I simply asked Jinda Thaivichit, who was a tenant at the time, to ensure that damage done to the interior of the house was fixed before she left. She agreed to do that because she readily accepted that she was responsible for the damage that had been caused by her sons. I expect that she was also grateful that I had given her a place to stay when she came to me for help, despite that fact that she was unable to pay bond.

On this occasion, I asked Ms Thaivichit to fix a problem, and she decided to engage Mr Chaikhunpol without any influence on my part.

Ms Thaivichit and Mr Chaikhunpol volunteered to provide written statements explaining the true facts, which are attached.

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