A former student surfaced with anger, exposing Somkiat, a candidate for MP in Suphanburi from the Prachachon Party, for humiliatingly punishing children by making them hang shoes around their necks. This contradicts his campaign posts. Netizens were furious again, criticizing him after he deleted comments to avoid the issue, demanding the party verify his qualifications and that he resign to take responsibility for his past.
On 2 Jan 2026, Mr. Somkiat Kukiatphumi, a candidate for MP of Suphanburi from the Prachachon Party, posted on Facebook for his campaign: Today, Director Somkiat visited Sri Prachant area, known as a stronghold of traditional politics for over 50 years. We are not here to challenge anyone.
Rather, we are here to listen to the real lives of the people, hearing many problems, especially the growing issue of an aging society that increases every year, but the support system has not kept pace with reality.
This is a clear signal that Suphanburi must rethink, renew, and take better care of each other. Change can begin by having the courage to listen.
However, a citizen asked him, as a former teacher, his opinion on a case where a principal punished a 10-year-old student who had foot pain and could not wear sneakers to school, instead wearing sandals, by making him hang his shoes by the laces around his neck and walk barefoot all day. Mr. Somkiat replied, “As a former teacher, I feel uneasy about this incident. A child of only 10 years old deserves understanding and care, not punishment that harms both body and mind. Schools should be safe places, using reason, kindness, and respect for the child’s dignity. If there is a problem, it should be discussed and helped rather than punished to cause shame. I believe Thai education must be based on understanding, not fear. Please support number 4.”
The same citizen then responded, “But why did you treat me that way as a child? If this comment was from Principal Somkiat himself, I believe such a comment wouldn’t exist.”
Subsequently, another person agreed, saying, “That kind of memory is deeply ingrained. I had a similar experience, though with another principal, not this one, so I understand the feeling.”
Recently, those comments have been deleted, prompting fierce reactions such as: “If it’s true, you should apologize, not delete comments. If not true, just clarify. You chose the wrong approach.” “There must be clarification whether it’s true or not.” “If true, you should voluntarily resign to prevent damage to the party.” “You need to learn to face problems. The modern world values this, not deleting comments and hiding issues under the rug like the older generation. The younger generation won’t accept that.” “Wow, just deleting comments but it’s probably too late.” Many tagged the Prachachon Party’s page, asking them to review the information carefully.