The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has promoted Trinuch Thianthong to the position of the party's number one prime minister candidate after "Uncle Pom" withdrew due to health issues. It confirmed that General Prawit Wongsuwan remains party leader. Meanwhile, Samart Kaewmeechai affirmed the party is not in turmoil and morale is good.,
At 13:50 on 24 December 2025 GMT+7 at the Palang Pracharath Party headquarters, Mr. Paiboon Nititawan, deputy party leader, said after the executive committee meeting that the meeting considered nominations for party-list and constituency MP candidates as well as the party's prime minister candidates. Regarding the prime minister candidates, since General Prawit Wongsuwan, the party leader, requested to withdraw from being a prime minister candidate, the party has promoted Ms. Trinuch Thianthong, Minister of Labour and party secretary-general, to be the number one prime minister candidate. The number two candidate is Mr. Theerachai Phuwanartnaranubala, deputy party leader. The meeting also reviewed nominations for over 200 constituency MP candidates. The party leader will determine the party-list rankings, which will be revealed by 28 December, when all candidate lists must be finalized.
When asked whether General Prawit still remains party leader, Mr. Paiboon said he does. In response to rumors that General Prawit might step down, Mr. Paiboon said that for now, he is still in position because he must sign the certification documents for constituency and party-list candidates. When asked if General Prawit gave reasons for withdrawing as prime minister candidate, Mr. Paiboon said it was due to health problems, as his health is currently not good. Asked about the possibility that the rumors of stepping down might be true and whether Ms. Trinuch would take over as party leader, Mr. Paiboon said the media is speculating on its own; the party has not commented. He thanked people for their concern over General Prawit's health and confirmed that while his health is not good, there is no serious problem.
Regarding reports that the PPRP is in disarray with members gradually leaving, Mr. Paiboon said such rumors have circulated for years. Currently, the party is nominating constituency and party-list candidates. Asked how many constituencies the party will contest in Bangkok after Mr. Wan Yoobamrung resigned, Mr. Paiboon said the party is fielding many candidates. When asked if Police Lieutenant Colonel Chalerm Yoobamrung is still in the party, as there were reports he applied for membership, Mr. Paiboon said he does not know, and he is also unaware about Mr. Seksakon Atthawong, who has already resigned.
When asked to confirm the PPRP's stability ahead of the election, Mr. Paiboon said he is confident the party is strong, though its approach may differ from other parties. He affirmed the party's strength and asked to wait and see, especially with the constituency candidate registration on 27 December and party-list registration on 28 December. He reiterated that the party's number one prime minister candidate is Ms. Trinuch, and number two is Mr. Theerachai.
Samart Kaewmeechai affirms PPRP's stability and good morale; 'Big Pom' remains party leader.
Mr. Samart Kaewmeechai, PPRP executive committee member and prospective Chiang Rai MP candidate, said in response to scrutiny over the party's possible instability if General Prawit steps down politically that nothing has collapsed and everything is proceeding as planned, except for a change in the party's prime minister candidate. Although General Prawit is no longer the number one prime minister candidate, this does not soften the party's image because he has already been delegating responsibilities, such as overseeing prospective candidates, a role now managed by Ms. Trinuch, while General Prawit remains party leader.
Mr. Samart confirmed that the PPRP has not declined and is ready for the election. On 25 December, party prospective candidates will receive their nomination documents to submit to the Election Commission (EC). He added that candidates cannot run elsewhere now because the primary voting process is mandatory for all parties.
"Today is a test of the candidates’ commitment—whether they are genuinely dedicated or just playing a game. Those who remain are steadfast and not swayed, despite other parties attempting to recruit them. We remain firm here without hesitation. Those who left earlier likely had their reasons," he said.
Mr. Samart stated he personally remains committed and will contest the election in Chiang Rai, where he has served as MP for four terms, taking a half-term break to allow younger candidates the opportunity. However, recent voter feedback has encouraged him to return to serve the country. When asked about party morale, Mr. Samart said it remains strong and ready for the election.
When asked if General Prawit will remain to contest the election before passing leadership to someone else, Mr. Samart said that today’s meeting assigned all duties, and General Prawit will take on a different role. When asked if General Prawit is still the number one party-list candidate, Mr. Samart said that at this time, General Prawit remains the number one party-list candidate.