The New Opportunity Party spokesperson expressed gratitude for the praise of Jatuporn following his debate confrontation with Teng over gray-area MP candidates, which boosted the party's ratings and reinforced its image of selecting quality candidates and demonstrating leadership ethics.
On 20 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Sirawit Chuangsen, spokesperson for the New Opportunity Party, addressed the praise circulating on social media after Jatuporn Buruspat, the party leader and prime ministerial candidate, appeared on the Nation Debate: Turning Point for Thailand. He thanked the public for their interest and feedback regarding the party's stance on political ethics. The positive reaction followed the debate between Jatuporn and Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, concerning candidates for MP positions who have arrest warrants issued against them. Some social media users compared the answers from both sides in terms of "leadership level" and understanding of political ethics.
Natthapong stated on stage that "If an arrest warrant is issued for a candidate, the ethical standards and responsibility of the candidate must exceed legal standards," while Jatuporn responded from another perspective: "If I were the party leader, I would resign, because we decided to bring that person in. We must take responsibility." Many viewed Jatuporn's answer as reflecting responsibility as a political organization leader.
Sirawit added that some online opinions noted that Jatuporn's approach resembles that of developed countries, where political officeholders demonstrate accountability even when not directly at fault if the incident occurred due to their decisions or candidate selections.
"This positive response has increased the New Opportunity Party's popularity, with more public interest than before. Jatuporn's answers align with the party's approach to candidate selection," Sirawit said.
Sirawit further stated that this debate was not merely a policy contest but also sparked societal interest in the ethics and standards of political leaders. It also demonstrated Jatuporn's readiness to assume national leadership in the future.
