Two Rak Chart Party prime ministerial candidates paid respects to King Taksin and campaigned around Wongwian Yai, seeking help to solve livelihood and debt problems. Meanwhile, Dr. Jets criticized Wiroj’s taunt questioning why the military exists, saying he still lacks true awareness and that living together as a nation is difficult.
On 5 January 2026 at 08:09 GMT+7, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jets Tonawanik, Rak Chart Party prime ministerial candidate, together with Mr. Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, party leader and also a prime ministerial candidate, led the Rak Chart Party's Bangkok MP candidates and party members to pay respects at the King Taksin the Great Monument in Khlong San Subdistrict, Thonburi District, Bangkok, to honor His Majesty’s great mercy in uniting Siam after the second fall of Ayutthaya.
Afterward, the Rak Chart Party team visited the Wongwian Yai area to meet and talk with local residents, asking about their problems and urgent needs they want politicians in Parliament to address. Some residents expressed concerns about debt, especially informal loans with very high daily interest rates. Many villagers and small traders who earn daily wages sometimes have to borrow from informal lenders, mostly non-Thai, and they want this issue resolved. At the same time, some voiced skepticism about the campaign promise of a 20-baht flat fare for the entire electric train line, saying it's unfeasible because different lines have separate concessions and accused politicians of misleading the public, as it was also unfulfilled when previously in government.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jets, Rak Chart Party prime ministerial candidate, listened and asked for a chance for new generations and smaller parties without big sponsors, like Rak Chart, to propose policies to help by increasing opportunities for small businesses or SMEs to grow robustly. This would be done through expanding accessible loan funds and using tax incentives to encourage and support business development. When people have fair and easy access to capital, they can build careers, increase income, and improve quality of life without pressure from high daily interest on informal loans.
Today’s visit was simple and focused on listening to the people. While campaigning, residents approached to take photos with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jets along the route. Some were restaurant owners, others state enterprise employees, all expressing frustration with “old, familiar politics.” Dr. Jets responded by urging them to give new generations a chance and introduced the new faces within the Rak Chart Party.
Dr. Jets Criticizes Wiroj's Taunt About the Military, Saying He Still Lacks True Awareness and That Living Together as a Nation is Difficult
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jets also commented on Mr. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, ranked 99 on the party list for the People’s Party, who invited the Army Intelligence Department head to reform the military together. Dr. Jets said that today some question the necessity of soldiers by asking, “Why have soldiers?” and then claim they now understand why. However, their behavior and words remain sarcastic, mocking, and disrespectful, showing they still do not truly understand the purpose of the military.
Dr. Jets said when soldiers speak out to clarify or seek understanding, their statements are distorted, with praise taken for themselves and blame shifted to others. He believes that if people remain unaware or ungrateful for the military’s contributions, living together as a nation will be difficult and will affect the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“Please think seriously. If these attitudes do not change and continue, our country’s cultural and social development will be difficult unless you all help.”