The leader of the Bhumjaithai Party said it is Theng Natthapong's right after stating he will no longer name Anutin as prime minister. He added that if they remain obsessed with amending Section 112, Bhumjaithai will definitely not join them.
On 25 Dec 2025 GMT+7, Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, spoke about Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, who said during a Thairath TV debate on 23 Dec 2025 GMT+7 that he would no longer vote for Anutin as prime minister. Asked if this closes the door to forming a coalition with Bhumjaithai, Anutin said, “That is his right. I respect everyone's rights and opinions.” He reiterated that Bhumjaithai has been clear all along: it will not form a government with any party that proposes amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code.
“I watched the Thairath debate and noticed that the People's Party leader was the only one on stage insisting on amending Section 112. If they remain fixated on this issue, Bhumjaithai will definitely not join. Other parties may choose to join; that is their right. But from what I saw, no party except the People's Party said they would amend Section 112.”
When asked if he will no longer communicate with the People's Party, the Bhumjaithai leader said that if it concerns working together to solve people's problems, Bhumjaithai can cooperate. But if it involves divisive issues like amending Section 112, they cannot work together due to differing political ideologies—unless the People's Party clearly states they have no policy to amend Section 112, then cooperation would be possible.
When asked about Natthapong's statement that “no one should be imprisoned for speech,” Anutin replied that he disagrees and believes such a mindset should not be promoted to the public. All politicians must guide society to respect the law and avoid breaking it.
“It should be said that no one should be imprisoned if they have not broken the law. If someone violates the law, they must face the penalties prescribed by law. No matter how much freedom one has, they must not violate the law or others' rights—especially speech that maliciously harms the monarchy. Such actions that damage the monarchy must be punished without exception,” the Bhumjaithai leader said.