The groups dismissed as untrue an allegation that alcohol was consumed at the party and there were young women providing salacious services.

Chunpimarn Chetmetinee, of the Thai Women Empowerment Funds’ Mae Hong Son branch, told a press conference that the allegation had unfairly damaged reputations.

She responded to a TV interview given by Mae Sariang district office assistant chief Boonyarit Nipawanit, who is also chairman of the Federation of Assistant District Chiefs of Thailand, in which he alleged alcohol was consumed and young women were present at the party.

She said the allegation had damaged the reputations of the party’s organisers, teachers at Hong Son Suksa School and the province’s people.

Chunpimarn said her group and local people hosted the event as per the Tai Yai ethnic group’s tradition and no alcohol was served.

She said the women who served guests were members of the women’s groups and were adults.

She said no women provided a salacious service to guests.

“If Boonyarit has any evidence to back his claim, he should show it rather than making such a damaging accusation without proof. Boonyarit wasn’t there … so his accusation has no grounds,” she said.

Mae Hong Son Red Cross Society committee member Jintana Khattiya backed up Chunpimarn’s comments and said Suebsak left the party with his wife.

Hong Son Suksa School teacher Krongthong Ngaosuwan said the school’s 5,000-people capacity hall was often used by state office to host events, which the school allowed provided no alcohol was served.