Thanathorn campaigns in Chiang Mai, the home district of former Prime Minister Thaksin, supporting Natthapon Towijakchaikul of the PCh Party to seek votes. He encounters a Pheu Thai candidate canvassing at the same market before joining a campaign motorcade to support Phetcharat, appealing once again for the people's chance to serve.
On 1 Jan 2025 at 11:30 a.m., Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, campaign assistant for the PCh Party, visited Oi Tha Market in Ton Pao Subdistrict, San Kamphaeng District, Chiang Mai, to support Mr. Natthapon Towijakchaikul, PCh Party candidate number 5 for Chiang Mai's third constituency. Natthapon, the incumbent champion, campaigned seeking votes from vendors and shoppers. The atmosphere was lively, with merchants and fans welcoming them, offering oranges, garlands, and requesting photos from both children and adults.
This campaign visit included Ms. Tatsanee Buranupakorn, a former Pheu Thai MP who had contested against Natthapon in the 2023 election but lost. She subsequently resigned from Pheu Thai and joined the PCh Party, assisting with the campaign. Currently, Ms. Tatsanee is the PCh Party's candidate for the party-list MP position at number 37.
While Thanathorn and Natthapon were campaigning in front of Oi Tha Market, a campaign vehicle for Mr. Jakrapol Tangsutthitham, Pheu Thai candidate number 8 for Chiang Mai's third constituency, entered the market. Jakrapol also campaigned and distributed brochures seeking votes. The two groups met briefly during their market visits. Thanathorn and Jakrapol greeted each other with a smile and a respectful wai gesture before splitting to campaign separately without any conflict. This marked the first campaign encounter in Chiang Mai's 2026 election where major parties PCh and Pheu Thai met in the same area. San Kamphaeng district had Natthapon from PCh elected in 2023, while Pheu Thai failed. Now, the influential Shinawatra family is determined to reclaim this parliamentary seat by all means.
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, campaign assistant for the PCh Party, said this visit was to support “Kop” (Natthapon) in seeking votes and asked the public to support PCh candidates. The party has campaigned continuously since last year and plans to intensify efforts in the remaining 30-plus days to secure as many constituency MPs as possible. The public response so far has been very positive, with greater understanding of the party's policies this time around.
Natthapon Towijakchaikul, or “Kop,” PCh candidate, said he was not worried; if he were, he would not have won this constituency before. Although this is traditionally a Pheu Thai area and many elderly voters still recall former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of Pheu Thai, current circumstances have changed, and voters’ opinions have evolved along with political developments.
At 2:30 p.m., Thanathorn arrived at the PCh Party office on Tai Wang Road, Chang Moi Subdistrict, Mueang Chiang Mai District, to assist Ms. Phetcharat Maichomphu, or Ploy, candidate number 2 for Chiang Mai's first constituency and incumbent MP since the 2023 election. They then boarded a campaign motorcade traveling through Chang Moi Road to Warorot Market, passing Tha Phae Road, Ratchadamnoen Road, the Three Kings Monument, then around the old city moat, and onward to the Chiang Mai-Hang Dong Road, heading toward a destination near the Makro Hang Dong branch.
Ms. Phetcharat Maichomphu, known as Ploy, ran under the Move Forward Party banner in 2023, receiving 48,823 votes and defeating Mr. Jakrapol Tangsutthitham of Pheu Thai, who garnered 30,086 votes. This is her second election campaign. During the motorcade, Thanathorn asked Chiang Mai residents to give Ms. Phetcharat another chance to serve the people of Chiang Mai.
