Bhumjaithai is confident it will defend its 31 seats in the South, highlighting the "Banharn model" where Suphanburi prospered after only one year under Prime Minister Banharn, while the South, despite having had two prime ministers, has seen no significant development.
On 6 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, and key leader of the Bhumjaithai Party overseeing the South, expressed confidence in the party's voter base there. He said he is sure the party will retain at least 31 seats in the South and appealed to the public to give Bhumjaithai the chance to manage budgets for genuine regional development.
Mr. Phiphat added that the South has long missed opportunities. Although Bhumjaithai has been part of the government before, the absence of local representatives made proposing projects difficult. He urged people to look back at development achievements in provinces with Bhumjaithai MPs to see the significant changes.
He also cited the "Banharn model," noting that Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, who served only one year, developed Suphanburi into a prosperous province. By contrast, the South has had two consecutive prime ministers but questions remain about how much progress has been made there. Nevertheless, he is unfazed by the "Abhisit comeback" wave. Despite the Democrat Party’s increased popularity, he is confident all 31 Bhumjaithai candidates will return to parliament.
When asked about former Speaker Chuan Leekpai's claim of vote-buying in the South, Mr. Phiphat briefly replied he did not know and suggested asking Mr. Chuan directly. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as Bhumjaithai Party leader, plans to campaign at 4-5 venues in the South, including Phuket, Songkhla, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, accompanied by Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew and Mrs. Supachai Suthamphan.