Former Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai himself exposed the use of dirty money in politics, with investments as high as 500 million baht to buy political parties and 50 million baht per MP, reinforcing a vicious cycle of investing to gain state power in order to recoup the investment. He pointed out the lack of dignity in this practice and firmly stated that interference with Senators is an act of corruption.
On 26 December 2025 GMT+7 at the Democrat Party (DP) headquarters, Chuan Leekpai, former party-list MP of the Democrat Party and former Prime Minister, gave campaign advice to the party's MP candidates in the central region on 25 December. He said candidates should thoroughly study real local information because with just over 40 days left, they cannot cover every area. People nowadays know who is truthful and who is not, which is crucial. They must also be aware of political maneuvers, such as civil servant transfers within 24 hours in a district due to displeasing government politicians. We must prepare for this. When speaking, do not become enemies of civil servants but ask them to uphold truth and straightforwardness, and avoid being tools for anyone. For example, regarding village health volunteers (VHVs), he wrote to the Ministry of Public Health's Permanent Secretary to protect VHVs from being used by politicians for corruption or vote-buying. He noted that he was the first to establish VHVs during his premiership, and Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat Party leader, was the first to provide stipends. Later, Satit Pitutacha, Deputy Minister of Public Health, pushed this further. This information should be conveyed because the public and VHVs mostly misunderstand it as coming from other parties.
Therefore, we must know the facts because merely campaigning will not lead to victory. To compete effectively, we must present the truth and show people that politics involving money is the root of corruption. The vicious cycle continues: buying votes to elect MPs who then steal, using that money to buy votes again. The way to break this vicious cycle is through honest politics. The country prospers when governance is honest. We must have the courage to tell the truth to people who work hard for their living—they don't have time to study these issues. So, if elected MPs truly want to serve, they must speak out bravely and not fear the truth. Whatever is wrong should be openly stated as such.
"If we want Thailand to become a great power, we must not collaborate with corrupt cycles. Those in provinces with vote-buying should investigate how much is spent. Some parties sell themselves for 500 million baht to pay each person 5 to 10 million baht." I spoke with some who switched to other parties despite previously saying they would not. They admitted to negotiating with Chaiwat Bunnawat, the party secretary, that they received no money as other parties do, but they needed money, so they left. I asked some current MPs how much money they got; they told me the figures. I told them not to use that money; getting elected with such money has no dignity. If they get more money, they can keep it, but it's dirty money. Some try to buy political parties for 500 million baht and MPs for 50 million baht. I asked Satit how much his relatives who moved to other parties got; he said prices were similar. This money cannot be earned legitimately except by scammers and fraudsters. Our party leader has clearly stated rejection of politics funded by such means. If we talk about honesty, we must not engage in corruption, fraud, or interference in election bodies and the Senate. This is not honest politics." I emphasize that candidates must speak out; if you don't, you won't win. Your chance comes when you tell people the truth. People cannot compete between 50 million baht and 50 thousand baht, but we can. I have fought before and it was exhausting throughout the campaign; I almost lost my breath. No one wins by luck. If you don't speak, you will never win. If you want to almost lose or almost win, you must work hard. Those who don't work hard will never succeed. The party's momentum has improved but not overwhelmingly. I leave this as a thought for those truly aspiring to be representatives: you must work hard. There are seven days in a week; we should campaign 14 days a week—double the effort. I encourage all Democrat Party MP candidates to achieve victory in this election."