"Teacher Jo," the Pheu Thai Party candidate for MP in Mae Hong Son's 2nd constituency, climbs mountains and crosses streams, pushing through forests to canvass votes from villagers by promoting the party's policies as well as his ethnic identity, showing love for and understanding of the area.
On 21 Jan, reporters observed lively election campaigning for the 2026 MP elections as the final stretch approaches in many areas, including Mae Hong Son Province, which has two constituencies. The 2nd constituency covers Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi, and Sop Moei districts. Mr. Somphop Khongkhamsue, or Teacher Jo, a former civil servant teacher and Pheu Thai Party candidate number 1, along with his team, canvassed all areas despite difficult travel conditions involving mountains, forests, and streams.
Mr. Somphop said that despite the challenges of campaigning through forests and mountains, he is willing to endure because he deeply understands the living conditions of the ethnic groups. As a mountain person from the Karen tribe, he now has the opportunity to run as an MP under the Pheu Thai Party, which is beloved by both lowland and highland people of all ethnicities and tribes. He asks the people of all three districts to give their votes to both him and the party. The party's policies are clear and have been implemented, such as the 30-baht universal healthcare, village funds, and cash handouts. For the 2026 election, there are policies to reform all debt systems, assist farmers with pricing and cost reduction, and encourage lottery purchases as savings. He requests the chance to serve the people of Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi, and Sop Moei with a heart that understands their problems, the area, and sincere dedication to his hometown.
He explained that he, Teacher Jo, was born as a Karen ethnic group member, married a city woman, and has a Muslim mother-in-law. Therefore, he loves and understands everyone in Mae Hong Son's 2nd constituency, who are connected by blood and family ties, including highlanders, lowlanders, and Muslims. He asks for the opportunity to work for positive change.