Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai presented their visions at the Election Commission forum. Thirapa highlighted a state strategy investing in people, pushing clean air and climate change legislation to continue Yingluck's policies. Warawut emphasized that Khon La Khrueng Plus is not populism and asked for a chance to continue.
At 15:07 on 12 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Thirapa Phairohukul, a party-list candidate for Pheu Thai Party (PT), gave an interview after participating in the taping of the forum “Election Debate Thailand 2026” a national policy debate organized by the Election Commission (EC) at Centara Life Hotel, Government Complex Chaeng Watthana. She said the main topic was education. Pheu Thai prioritizes seriously improving population quality, acknowledging that Thailand has fully entered an aging society while birth rates continue to decline. Therefore, focus should shift from quantity to quality. The party also proposed policies to care for citizens from early childhood through lifelong development, including a newborn account concept to support systematic child development.
On drug suppression, the party emphasized a systematic, comprehensive approach with clear policies including rigorous asset seizure from offenders, treatment and rehabilitation to sustainably reintegrate users into society, and a key policy of one rehabilitation center per province to ensure sufficient, comprehensive drug rehabilitation services.
Regarding the severe current environmental issue, especially PM 2.5 dust affecting public health widely, Pheu Thai is pushing for a Clean Air Act as a key tool for systematic management. They are also preparing a Climate Change Act to address long-term climate shifts, along with emphasizing a clean water policy accessible to all villages nationwide. This builds on water policies initiated during former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s tenure, aiming to provide every area with sufficient, quality clean water.
Meanwhile, Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, party-list candidate for Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), representing Bhumjaithai in the debate, expressed gratitude to the EC for organizing the forum allowing parties to present policies, especially on social issues where the party has clear stances such as elderly care, drugs, and many others. He stressed that Bhumjaithai is not just talking but actively working, and asked for public support to continue their work, assuring that the policies presented will be realized.
Regarding extending the retirement age, the policy aims to improve elderly quality of life by keeping body and mind active to delay deterioration, transforming retirees from welfare recipients into productive national contributors, reducing budget and healthcare costs in the long term. However, implementation will be gradual over at least two years with extensive public consultation, since Thailand has one of the lowest elderly age thresholds globally. Some government sectors like justice have already extended retirement to age 70. If personnel shortages occur, case-by-case considerations will be made to maximize benefits and minimize impacts.
On education, Bhumjaithai proposes creating an easily accessible online learning platform covering comprehensive knowledge from basic to advanced levels, inviting the private sector to help design curricula that meet labor market needs. The platform will allow continuous learning even during crises like floods or COVID-19, enabling study anytime and anywhere to complement future educational institutions.
“Bhumjaithai has no populist policies, including Khon La Khrueng Plus, which focuses on empowering citizens to build their own capabilities. If policies reduce citizens’ expenses, like Khon La Khrueng, they are definitely not populist. Bhumjaithai aims for sustainable and continuous development and, if trusted by the public, is ready to fully continue working.”
