Thammanat advised his party supporters to stay calm and not retaliate after a well-known political party's team made an obscene middle finger gesture. He warned that every party has wounds; if they are exposed, it will cause trouble. He declared, "People like me do not start fights," and said, "Natt can still endure." Tags: [politics, political conflict, party rivalry, Thammanat Prompao, political conduct]
On 6 Jan 2026 at the Government House, Major Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, speaking as chairman of the Kla Party's advisory board, discussed preparations for 17 major campaign rallies nationwide during the final stretch. These will be held across all regions, mostly organized by groups of provinces according to the Ministry of Interior's administrative divisions. For example, in the North, there will be one rally for the Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, and Mae Hong Son cluster, and another for Phayao, Phrae, and Nan, organized by major city areas.
Major Thammanat added that there will definitely be a rally in Bangkok, with Mrs. Pawina Hongsakul, Chairperson of the Justice and Public Protection Advisory Board, overseeing the Bangkok area strategy. Meanwhile, Air Force Commander Anudit Nakornthap, Chairman of the Kla Party Strategy Committee, is responsible for the Northeastern region.
When asked about any policies to excite the public in the final campaign phase, like those from the Pheu Thai Party, Major Thammanat said he does not do that because making promises that cannot be fulfilled would cause greater harm. Having been in government since 2019, he has seen much from his practical experience. Policies that raise hopes but cannot be realized damage credibility. He emphasized that Kla Party is clear with tangible policies focusing on farmland, water management, the people's bank, social welfare, developing secondary cities into main cities, and supporting tourism and sports—real, practical measures, not selling dreams.
Regarding recent opinion polls in Songkhla Province where Kla Party seems absent, Major Thammanat responded immediately that he prefers to act contrary to poll trends and has his own strategy.
When asked about the South as a target area for Kla Party, which previously showed favorable trends, Major Thammanat said that whenever he visits places, especially Songkhla—which had past problems—he received good responses. However, he has not yet returned to Songkhla since the major flooding in Hat Yai District.
When questioned again about whether they can firmly establish themselves, Major Thammanat said they know how they do politics and what the results will be. "We are not dream sellers or hype creators but have an election management strategy."
Regarding an incident where a Kla Party candidate campaigning was insulted with a middle finger gesture by a political party's team, Major Thammanat confirmed that the party's legal team has been informed. This concerns a Kla Party candidate under legal protection. Any violations will follow due legal processes. He affirmed they will not retaliate in a way that causes damage. After hearing accounts from witnesses and media reports, everything aligns with what the media presented. He simply urged everyone to stay calm and not retaliate.
Major Thammanat stressed that many issues where he instructed party members not to respond involve matters the public is paying attention to. He claimed to know the facts better than anyone else.
"Do not let this go too far. If I lose patience and respond, it will cause trouble for you, no matter what issue the media is focusing on," Major Thammanat said.
He continued that some parties have tried to present issues through the media, which he knows well. If they exhaust his patience or force him to respond, they will suffer. However, he prefers not to do so as he does not want the political atmosphere to make the public disenchanted.
When asked if the evidence to be revealed is decisive, Major Thammanat said, "I have plenty." Regarding speculation about the timing seeming very opportune, he said some things are known only to insiders.
Asked when the evidence will be revealed, Major Thammanat said Kla Party, especially himself, is clear: if no one attacks first, he will not act. But if attacked, any party will face consequences if Kla Party retaliates. He reiterated, "Every party has wounds."
When asked if the decisive evidence will be released during the final campaign phase, Major Thammanat said he does not engage in such tactics but warned others not to provoke him first. He emphasized that he has even more evidence.
When asked if he can still endure the current situation, Major Thammanat replied, "I can still endure. Natt can still endure."