Chaiwut and Jes revealed suspicious election cash flow of 200 billion baht, exposing vote-buying in Bangkok at 7,500 baht per person and 5,000 baht per person in provinces, urging the Election Commission to boldly prosecute the main perpetrators.
On 20 Jan 2026 at 05:00, Mr. Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, leader of the Rakchat Party and prime minister candidate, together with Associate Professor Dr. Jes Tonawanik, also a prime minister candidate, led the Rakchat Party team to Saphan 2 Market, Saphan Song subdistrict, Wang Thonglang district, Bangkok, to support two Rakchat Party candidates for Bangkok MPs. The market borders two districts: District 5 candidate Mr. Panithi Bowornwanichayakorn, number 5, and District 13 candidate Mr. Thitipat Chankaew, number 9.
Afterward, the Rakchat Party team continued campaigning for District 1 Bangkok MP candidate Mr. Adam Chinrattanapisit, number 15, seeking votes from local residents at Trok Mo Market, Phra Nakhon district, attracting significant public interest. Most focused on the campaign against constitutional amendments and raised concerns about widespread drug problems affecting youth. The atmosphere was lively, with many people shaking hands to show support and encouraging them to keep fighting. Many appreciated that Associate Professor Dr. Jes did not join a major party but chose to help develop new leaders. They also liked the policy to support young people entering the entertainment industry by establishing an academy to train acting and artist skills, since most lack opportunities or funds to study acting or singing due to high costs.
Associate Professor Dr. Jes gave a follow-up interview to his earlier remarks about the startling election cash flow last week. He revealed that the party received intelligence reports indicating financial irregularities, with up to 100 billion baht injected into election areas, alongside rumors of large cash withdrawals exceeding 160 billion baht from commercial banks, none of which denied these reports. Combining these figures suggests the total election money flow could reach 200 billion baht. Calculations showed abnormally high vote-buying payments.
In Bangkok, the price surged to 7,500 baht per person, while in provinces it averaged between 3,000 and 5,000 baht per person.
This enormous sum is “grey money” from illegal businesses and scammer groups both domestically and abroad. He warned the public that accepting such money means supporting political parties to recoup their investments through corruption. He cited recent local administrative elections where payments were delayed, incomplete, or promised but not delivered. The Rakchat Party calls such politicians scammers who deceive the public.
Regarding the political situation, the country is heading toward disaster because political parties are divided into two dangerous camps: major parties using “bullets” (money) to buy votes for power, and groups claiming to rely on “momentum” without money but secretly aiming to amend the constitution’s chapters 1 and 2, which the party views as destructive to the country’s framework.
Mr. Chaiwut harshly criticized the Election Commission (EC), stating it has the tools, laws, and election inspectors nationwide, making it impossible not to know about vote-buying occurring at every polling station.
“This problem is widely known, but it seems only the EC doesn’t know. So far, they have only caught minor cases like hosting merit-making events and issuing warnings. The major issue of direct vote-buying remains silent. The EC must act proactively. If there is reasonable belief of fraud, they must dare to issue red cards immediately, not wait until deaf and blind,” the party leader said.
The Rakchat Party reaffirmed its stance of “no money giveaways,” explaining their campaign signs are few due to limited funds but they fight with conviction. They appealed to the public and EC to help eradicate vote-buying networks completely so the nation will not remain trapped in cycles of corrupt capital.
