Jes Tonawanik questions the stance of the blue and navy parties after they supported approving the new constitution draft referendum. He declares it a waste of budget since amendments can be made article by article and says it would be better to keep the budget for supporting the people's livelihoods instead of this.
On 14 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, party leader and first prime ministerial candidate, together with Jes Tonawanik, second prime ministerial candidate, led the Rakchat Party (RCh) team—including Ekpita Iamkong-ek, economic policy team member and party list MP candidate, and Thitiphat Chankaeo, Bangkok MP candidate for district 13—to campaign for Nakhon Ratchasima MP candidates Bandat Ritthibutr (district 12) and Pariwat Sriaswin (district 2) at Home Garden Ville market, Chor Hor, Mueang district, Nakhon Ratchasima. They met and were warmly welcomed by locals and vendors.
Jes commented on the referendum to approve or reject the new constitution draft, saying that after speaking with people in various areas, many were surprised by some political parties' support for drafting a new constitution. He said if it were the orange and red parties supporting it, that would not be surprising, but people question why other parties, like the navy and blue ones, are involved. Some people have noted that certain parties have even formed governments within military camps but now support drafting a new constitution, even though the current constitution is seen as a tool to maintain national stability and allow soldiers to protect sovereignty. They wonder why a new draft is needed.
The Rakchat Party prime ministerial candidate added that drafting a new constitution is expensive and uses a lot of budget. Although the government says the referendum question can be paired with elections to save costs, a second question about the drafting method and content still requires asking. Ultimately, billions more baht will be spent, whereas amendments could be done article by article more economically, leaving funds to better support people's livelihoods.
. Jes further stated that the party people find most surprising, especially in the southern provinces, is the blue party. Some southern residents reflect that this party previously formed a government within military camps and now claims it will sweep votes across all 14 southern provinces, despite southern people wanting to keep the 2017 constitution and opposing a new draft, yet this party supports the new constitution drafting idea. "The people in the south are very surprised. Please respond to the southern people," he said. Meanwhile, when speaking with people in Bangkok, similar views emerged. People questioned the blue party's stance, which declared it would sweep votes in Bangkok where its only rival is the orange party, yet the blue party supports the new constitution draft like the orange party.
Later, Chaiwut and Jes led Rakchat Party executives and MP candidates to visit and encourage soldiers and their families at Suranaree Camp Hospital. Jes said, "We pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all soldiers."