Thanakorn criticized Thanathorn for conveniently forgetting, pointing out that if Pita were prime minister, the country would be ablaze. He referenced Pita's past remarks questioning why the military exists and whom they would fight, along with cutting budgets for fighter jets, tanks, and military equipment. He expressed confidence that Anutin will handle the situation decisively.
On 14 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Mr. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, Minister of Industry, responded to former Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit's claim that if former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat became prime minister, the Thai-Cambodian border crisis would not have reached this critical point. Thanakorn said it was hard to believe that someone so young as Thanathorn could forget so easily. Wasn't it Pita who said, "What is the military for? Who will they fight?" Wasn't the policy to reduce the military size and personnel by 30-40% originated by Pita's party? And weren't the proposals to cut budgets for fighter jets, tanks, and various military equipment all actions from Pita's party? Therefore, to be accurate, Thanathorn should say that if Pita had become prime minister, the country would already be in flames today.
"I truly cannot imagine what Thailand would be like if Pita had been prime minister on that day, especially as Cambodia invades us today. Focusing on military reform, cutting the military budget, and reducing troop numbers clearly shows how much Pita loves the nation. But surely today, Pita would have been figuratively slapped by the entire country as an answer that the military exists to protect Thailand's sovereignty. Nevertheless, I have confidence in the current prime minister, who has demonstrated to all Thai people that he is decisive and serious, showing no leniency toward anyone who dares to threaten us," Thanakorn said.