Redo of the Thairath Talk program opens up with Professor Yotsanan Wongsawat, candidate for prime minister of the Pheu Thai Party, discussing everything you hear here first....Tags: [politics, interview, Thai politics, Pheu Thai Party, Yotsanan Wongsawat]
Can the economy improve without casinos? If gaining state power, will there be revenge? And how do psychic predictions about Yotsanan Wongsawat becoming prime minister fit into numerology? And many other topics.Tags: [economy, casino, revenge, psychic predictions, politics]
Thairath Talk: People call the professor by the nickname 'Chen,' but I understand his classmates from Suankularb call him 'Tae.' Do you remember where that came from?Tags: [interview, nicknames, personal background]
I almost forgot. Back then, when I entered Suankularb during the 'Black May' period, many started teasing us by mocking our parents' names first. When someone got angry from teasing, we ended up being teased too, and it stuck as a nickname. At that time, there was a singer named Tae Somchai Kemklad, whose name matched my father's (Somchai), so they called me 'Tae' instead. One day, while campaigning at Yaowarat, a friend shouted the name, and the staff were confused about who it was. I said, 'It's me.'Tags: [personal history, nickname origin, campaign experience]
Thairath Talk: Your father is in the justice sector, and your mother is interested in politics and has been involved. You went the academic and science route.Tags: [family background, career path, politics, academia]
Actually, there's a middle part that few know: my mother ran a telephone-related business. We started a repair center, which made me feel it was really cool. Instead of just normal repairs, I wondered if we could do more. I studied telecommunications engineering. My interest came from my mother’s work in that field. At the time, my uncle worked at AIA. There was the ThaiCom project, and I had opportunities to observe different things, which made me realize technology is close to us. If we keep buying, the margin is small despite large sales volumes. Previously, phones cost hundreds of thousands but profits were minimal. I thought if we could do it ourselves, it would be great.Tags: [technology, family business, telecommunications, economics]
Thairath Talk: What was the turning point? Who invited you into politics?Tags: [political career, turning point]
This time, I inquired and was interested myself when running for MP about ten years ago, then served as spokesperson. After the coup, I worked at a university while also involved in some matters. I helped where I could, gave opinions, and stayed engaged with the party continuously.Tags: [political involvement, career timeline]
Later in 2023, I joined various projects and continued involvement. We discussed policies, especially about science. Science and technology are no longer the same; today they are security issues. Once we set such goals, interest grew.Tags: [policy, science, technology, security]
Then I realized it's really about livelihoods—the economy. We tried to overhaul some party and national aspects, aiming to use this as a backbone for the country. Policy development began, and I was shortlisted as a potential candidate.Tags: [economic policy, political candidacy]
But the shortlist wasn't guaranteed, as there were many others. Later, the party executive committee approached me again. I knew my name was on the shortlist but let politics take its course. I appreciate the committee’s trust.Tags: [party politics, candidacy]
Thairath Talk: Is the executive committee the real power behind Pheu Thai Party?Tags: [party leadership]
The executive committee you see has no shadow influence, definitely.Tags: [party leadership, transparency]
Thairath Talk: Was 'Ung Ing' named before or after you?Tags: [party figures]
My name has always been around. Checking will show it appears every one or two weeks since I have been involved continuously. I'm not new; I have helped the party in various ways. Some take credit from others, but my name is present throughout. Whether I am chosen depends on the party context.Tags: [political involvement, party presence]
I’m here not by chance but through academic growth—starting as a teacher, doing research, moving into administration. I steadily progressed to professor. After running for MP, my academic seniority reset, so I had to rebuild from assistant professor to associate professor, gaining academic reputation, research funding, and mentoring students, then reaching full professor. This is about academics.Tags: [academic career, professional growth]
Academic work and administration differ. I had opportunities as deputy dean of engineering, then oversaw university research, innovation, startups, incubation centers, investments, intellectual property, patent registrations domestically and abroad, and connections with industry. I worked with various agencies, finally serving as vice-rector for research. There, I met many researchers and linked with industry, which made me feel ready and see opportunities.Tags: [university administration, research, industry collaboration]
Thairath Talk: The Shinawatra family curse forbids political involvement. You seem optimistic but aren’t you afraid the outcome might be like what we’ve seen?Tags: [political risk, family legacy]
I’m not afraid. My fears differ from those of Thaksin, Yingluck, or Somchai. Being 'one of the siblings' now is a different matter. That past is firmly in our minds but doesn't hinder me. Most importantly, I’m excited that Thailand can change. If people see me as a child or grandchild of that family, that’s natural, but I want them to see me as someone who worked step-by-step, a regular person who had no choice of birth and grew through the ranks to this position. Now I have a chance and want to serve.Tags: [personal resolve, political legacy]
Many tell me they’ve lost a good scientist and researcher to get a poor politician.Tags: [public opinion, career change]
I’ve seen such comments, but I’ve already found a replacement, a successor in the field. Many I tried to develop have now reached my level, but they have not improved. Meanwhile, they face many obstacles. I say this because we have an opportunity to improve people’s quality of life. Why not? I have thought carefully and see this as a process. I believe I will bring positive change in the eyes of those experienced professionals.Tags: [succession, reform, quality of life]Thairath Talk: Can you fight political corruption effectively?Tags: [anti-corruption, politics]
Everyone presumably hopes well for the country, though methods differ and I won't interfere. Since my vision presentation at the launch, I made clear our four-year goal: develop infrastructure for a high-income country. We will use science and technology as one backbone—not the main driver, which remains our farmers, grassroots, SMEs, agriculture, and startups. They continue as before.Tags: [policy vision, science and technology, economy]
The government will work behind the scenes; if absent, we will seek resources. We can address corruption using digital government tools. If funds are lacking, we seek foreign investment. We must upskill people to adapt. Our goal is the people. We aim to be a high-income country. Even amid conflicts, we recognize issues needing management. Some can be addressed later as they border our goals. We work on these concurrently. This is what I strive to do.Tags: [governance, anti-corruption, digital government, investment]
Thairath Talk: How can the public trust you won’t seek revenge if you gain power?Tags: [trust, political intentions]
Everything must follow the law. Even if I wanted revenge, no law allows any family to do so. Especially for the Wongsawat and Shinawatra families, any move is observed. Revenge is impossible by nature. The most important thing is moving forward.Tags: [law, revenge, political conduct]
Thairath Talk: The past and present do not matter, right?Tags: [past, present, political perspective]
The issues have been resolved. The most important thing is to move forward. We already see the path forward. I hope everyone discusses this more.Tags: [reconciliation, progress]
Thairath Talk: Do you remember the day your father became prime minister but was not the first to enter the government house?Tags: [historical event, political memory]
That event ended with processes completed. It provides many lessons. Most importantly, I emphasize that Thailand must integrate fundamental knowledge to maintain intellectual sovereignty. This is vital to me. It links to military security and technology security.Tags: [national security, intellectual sovereignty]
Currently, a rarely discussed war is the 'tech war'—a technological conflict. This is a security threat involving weapons and the economy. Changes in technology and livelihoods are one and the same. When visiting farmers, we see seeds and machinery use. Thailand has many skilled automobile factories and even exports. Electronics factories exist too. An interesting industry now is AI, mostly seen as software. Yet, Thailand has many machines and electronic components.Tags: [technology, agriculture, industry, security]
There’s a term 'Physical AI'—robots, not just fancy ones, but military equipment. This is real security. No one can produce only weapons constantly; funds come from the economy. If the economy is weak, how to buy weapons? Therefore, everything returns to strengthening science and technology. We must build foundational systems. Luckily, we have skilled people here. The greatest strength is the Thai people present everywhere, ready to return if given opportunities to help again. If we provide space for them to work, this is exciting and could happen next year.Tags: [technology, defense, economy, human resources]
Thairath Talk: You know about digital footprints, right? Anything you say can be checked and recalled.Tags: [digital footprints, accountability]
Why am I confident? Because Thais already do this—not just Pheu Thai but the people. We just support them. When the economy improves and more people join, I think people understand.Tags: [technology, public behavior, economy]
Thairath Talk: Can the economy improve without casinos?Tags: [economy, casino]
The key when we talked about entertainment complexes was bringing in outside money, aiming to create a man-made destination. That package included casinos. The most important thing is listening to the people. If things remain unclear, we won’t proceed. So we didn’t. Moving forward, the priority remains attracting foreign investment.Tags: [investment, entertainment, casinos]
If conflicts arise, we won’t proceed. The key is how to create man-made attractions—arts, culture, or wellness economy, which brings in funds. This includes medical hubs like dentistry, elderly care, investments, and finance hubs. We work on these first without opposition. We avoid conflicting projects. I separate the logic: attracting investment isn’t about making every project happen.Tags: [investment, wellness economy, medical hubs]
Thairath Talk: Can entertainment complexes work without casinos?Tags: [entertainment, casino]
It depends on whether casinos are included. We don’t let the government invest; private money invests because we lack funds. If no casinos, there must be none at all.Tags: [investment, casino]
Anything immoral won’t be supported naturally. Regarding casinos, I don’t speak clearly because man-made projects can be anywhere. If controllable, the country needs investment correctly aligned with morals. I’m not saying we’d suddenly open casinos widely—that’s not allowed. What matters is attracting funds properly without grey areas, which we won’t allow.Tags: [morality, casino, investment]
I want to be clear: immoral things are unacceptable and will not happen. But please distinguish between bringing money to help people and the economy.Tags: [morality, economy, investment]
Thairath Talk: I’ve heard psychics predicted you will become prime minister. Explain this scientifically.Tags: [psychic prediction, science]
If it’s good, we should be open to it. Scientifically, if one believes something is possible, they seek mechanisms to achieve it. Statistics show about 20-30% probability, so we can be hopeful. But there’s 70-80% uncertainty, which depends on us to perform our best.Tags: [belief, probability, motivation]
Thairath Talk: So insider news about a psychic saying you’ll be future prime minister is true?Tags: [psychic prediction, insider news]
He didn’t say exactly that but predicted I’d go further than my father.Tags: [psychic prediction]
Thairath Talk: Your father was prime minister. How far can you go?Tags: [political legacy]
My father was prime minister for two months. If that’s what the psychic saw, I accept it.Tags: [political history]