Palang Pracharath MP candidates stormed the party headquarters, demanding the return of 'Uncle Pom' as party leader. They expressed their frustration at being abandoned and left unsupported midway, losing the will to continue campaigning.
At 10:30 a.m. on 16 Jan 2026 GMT+7, about 10 Palang Pracharath MP candidates from provinces including Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Phanom, Pattani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, and Chonburi gathered at the party headquarters in Bang Pho. They called on party executives to provide support for candidates in the election and urged General Prawit Wongsuwan, the party's advisory chairman, to return as party leader.
Mr. Supasit Sorphatjirapong, MP candidate for Chonburi's 4th district, said he came to seek clarity from the Palang Pracharath Party about support and care for constituency and party-list candidates during the campaign. He emphasized the need for clear policies, communication, resource allocation, and coordination at the local level to ensure an effective, unified campaign aligned with the party's strategy. Currently, party members feel abandoned, facing campaigning difficulties without senior party figures providing policy support or oversight on the ground.
Mr. Supasit added he wants the party to assign teams to support constituency candidates nationwide and back election campaigning across all regions. He said there is currently no campaign strategy, which contrasts sharply with the time when General Prawit led the party and provided policy assignments and campaign guidance. Now, candidates feel like they lack a pillar of support and cannot find any. He has not spoken to any senior party figures because none have approached the candidates. If these issues remain unresolved, it will affect candidates in the 8 Feb election. He emphasized that candidates are not losing to opponents but to the absence of party leaders supporting the campaign. He welcomed General Prawit's return as party leader, calling him a true fighter who cared well for candidates.
Mr. Supasit further said it feels as though once candidates receive their numbers, they are abandoned without meetings to clarify campaign directions, no training, and no promotion of democratic campaigning. As a candidate for Chonburi's 4th district, he noted that even Mr. Pakarathorn Thienchai, the top party-list candidate who lives in his home area, was left unsupported. Mr. Pakarathorn's home is in Bang Saen, Chonburi, while he himself is in Bo Thong district.
Mr. Kittisak Krutprasert, party-list MP candidate, said a party event on 5 Jan boosted members' morale, with both prime ministerial candidates, Ms. Treenuch Thienthong and Mom Luang Korakrit Kasemsri, delivering inspiring speeches. However, after General Prawit's resignation, candidates who had pinned their hopes on the party became demoralized. They are still waiting for the party leadership or prime ministerial candidates to hold a campaign Kick-Off event to allow candidates to present their policies, but with just over 20 days until the election, nothing has been confirmed. Compared with major parties like Pheu Thai, Prachachon, or the newly formed New Opportunity Party, which have already begun campaigning, Palang Pracharath—a party with significant achievements and government experience—is missing its chance. The 'three uncles' once succeeded in delivering good policies to the public, and he remains confident Palang Pracharath still has strong selling points.
Ms. Natthaporn Faramee, Palang Pracharath MP candidate for Nakhon Phanom's 4th district, said they had intended to gather 100-200 people today, but many were still arriving from other provinces. She affirmed that this was not about money. Previously, candidates had sent letters to the party requesting clarification on campaign strategy and direction but received no response. She wants party management to be systematic rather than abandoning candidates and showing disrespect. The candidates still believe in the party and General Prawit’s work, so they want clarity. While candidates will continue campaigning, they want assistance rather than being left stranded. They have sacrificed to be here to help the party gain many party-list MPs. She believes unity will help the party continue for a long time. Regarding rumors that without General Prawit there would be no campaign funding support, she acknowledged that was only part of the issue. The main problem is the party executive committee's lack of respect for candidates, which she wants addressed.
“But we are campaigning alone, and the party lacks good management. If they can’t manage, they should step down. We ask for Uncle to come back because without him there is no stability, both within the party and the country. We sincerely request his return—we still love Uncle as before,” said Ms. Natthaporn. . Natthaporn said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ibroheng Tohilai, Palang Pracharath MP candidate for Pattani's 2nd district, revealed that although he has run with the party before, he has never experienced such neglect, not even receiving campaign signs. He sent a message to General Prawit expressing regret that he is no longer party leader. They work with heart for the nation and religion but feel abandoned midway, having felt like crying many times. He affirmed that people in the South still remember and respect General Prawit, and under current conditions, he does not know how to help.
Reporters noted that earlier it was reported Mr. Pakarathorn would come to hear proposals and represent the party in receiving concerns, but no senior party officials accepted the issues. General Prawit briefly stated over the phone that he will not return as party leader since he has already resigned.
