The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has promoted Trinuch Thianthong to be the top prime ministerial candidate following "Uncle Pom's" withdrawal due to health problems. It confirmed that General Prawit Wongsuwan remains party leader. Party member Samart affirmed the party is not in turmoil and morale is good, respectively. The translation closely reflects the original, including the use of "Uncle Pom" as a nickname for General Prawit, preserved as is.
At 13:50 on 24 Dec 2025 GMT+7 at the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) headquarters, Mr. Paiboon Nititawan, Deputy Leader of the party, said after the executive committee meeting that the session considered nominations for party-list and constituency MPs, as well as the party’s prime ministerial candidates. Regarding the prime ministerial candidates, since General Prawit Wongsuwan, party leader, requested to withdraw from the candidacy due to health concerns, Ms. Trinuch Thianthong, Minister of Labour and party secretary-general, was promoted to be the number one prime ministerial candidate. The second candidate is Mr. Teerachai Phuwanatnoranalub, Deputy Party Leader. Additionally, the meeting approved over 200 constituency MP candidates. The party leader was assigned to finalize the party-list ranking, which must be announced by 28 Dec 2025, when all candidates will be officially presented.
Regarding whether General Prawit remains party leader, Mr. Paiboon confirmed he does. When asked about rumors of his possible resignation, Mr. Paiboon said that currently General Prawit is still in position because he must sign the certification documents for constituency and party-list candidates. Asked if General Prawit gave reasons for withdrawing from the prime minister candidacy, Mr. Paiboon said it was due to health problems, as his health is currently not good. When further questioned about the possibility of him stepping down or merely staying on to certify documents, and whether Ms. Trinuch would replace him as party leader, Mr. Paiboon responded that such interpretations are media speculation, not party statements. He thanked those concerned about General Prawit's health and confirmed that his health issues are definite.
When asked about reports of instability in the PPRP due to members leaving, Mr. Paiboon said such rumors have circulated for years. Currently, the party is submitting candidates for both constituency and party-list MPs. Asked how many constituencies in Bangkok they will contest, especially after Mr. Wan Yoobamrung resigned, Mr. Paiboon said the party is fielding many candidates. When asked whether Police Sub-Lieutenant Chalerm Yoobamrung remains in the party, as he reportedly applied for membership, Mr. Paiboon said he was unaware, as was he regarding former member Sek Sakol Atthawong, who has resigned.
When asked to confirm whether the PPRP is stable and ready for the upcoming election battle, Mr. Paiboon expressed confidence that the party is indeed strong, albeit in its own way, which might differ from other parties. He reaffirmed the party's strength and asked to wait and see, especially with constituency MP nominations on 27 Dec and party-list nominations on 28 Dec. He confirmed the party’s prime ministerial candidates are Ms. Trinuch as number one and Mr. Teerachai as number two.
“Samart” affirms PPRP is stable with good morale; “Big Pom” remains party leader.
Mr. Samart Kaewmeechai, a PPRP executive and prospective Chiang Rai MP candidate, commented on media attention regarding possible turmoil in the PPRP if General Prawit steps back from politics, stating that nothing has collapsed and everything proceeds according to plan, aside from adjustments to the party’s prime ministerial candidate. Even though General Prawit is no longer the number one candidate, this does not soften the party’s image because he has long delegated responsibilities, such as giving Ms. Trinuch charge of candidate management, while General Prawit remains party leader.
Mr. Samart affirmed that the PPRP has not declined and is ready for the election, confidently moving forward. On 25 Dec, party candidates will receive nomination forms to register with the Election Commission. He added that candidates cannot go elsewhere now because the party’s primary vote process, mandatory for all parties, is underway.
"Today is a test of candidates’ sincerity—who truly wants to work together versus those who do not," said Mr. Samart. "Those remaining are steadfast, not wavering even when other parties attempt to recruit them. We remain committed here without hesitation. Those who have left likely have their reasons."
Mr. Samart said he 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 new generations a chance. However, recent voter feedback encourages him to return to serve the nation. When asked about party morale, he stated it remains strong and ready for the election.
Asked if General Prawit will stay to contest this election before passing leadership on, Mr. Samart said today's meeting assigned all tasks, and General Prawit will take on a different role. When asked if General Prawit remains the top party-list MP candidate, Mr. Samart confirmed that currently, General Prawit is still the number one party-list candidate.