Chaiwut, leader of the Rakchat Party, says Pita's apology over the 'Why have soldiers?' comment is insincere, viewing the statement as political rhetoric intended to discredit the military and gain votes.
At 07:00 on 10 Jan 2026 at Banthat Thong Road, Bangkok, Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, leader of the Rakchat Party and prime ministerial candidate, gave an interview while campaigning for Chuti Pluemrungroeng, candidate for Bangkok Constituency 2, number 10, regarding Pita Limjaroenrat, former Move Forward Party leader, who issued an apology over his previous statement. "Why have soldiers?" After hearing what Pita said in the clip, I did not feel that he was truly apologizing or genuinely remorseful.
Chaiwut said that on the day Pita said, "Why have soldiers?" and when he criticized the military by saying they lose battles or discredited them in every way, does Pita really believe that? Or was it merely a political ploy to gain votes, or perhaps commissioned to attack the military? Personally, I believe that today, Pita does not truly think as he expressed in his apology clip.
"If you want to apologize, you must do so sincerely, truly apologize, and then don’t do it again. But shifting your statements and dragging in various soldiers is inappropriate. I believe you don’t truly mean what you say."