Thammanat reacted with disbelief to the claim of vote-buying at 7,500 baht per person, saying if true, the country would be doomed. He boasted that the Kla Tham Party consistently ranks among the top five in every poll, mocked those eager to become prime minister, questioning if they could even reach 25 seats, and expressed confidence that Phai Lik would lead Kla Tham to sweep all seats in Kamphaeng Phet province, while deriding the People's Party as irrelevant in the equation.
At 09:00 on 20 Jan 2026 GMT+7 at the Government House, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, speaking as chairman of the Kla Tham Party advisory board, responded to claims of vote-buying at 7,500 baht per person. He exclaimed “Huh?” upon hearing the question and said, “Is there really such a thing? Are there people with such abnormal behavior? I don’t know.”
When asked if heavy vote-buying reports might explain such a high figure, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he personally believes that if anyone did that, the country would be ruined and it would be impossible to sustain. He added that he believes no politician would engage in such practices. Asked if he was concerned that intense competition might foster such factors, he replied he was not worried, as he campaigns in his own style, visiting nearly every province without rest.
When asked if the recent reports aimed to attack a particular side, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he thinks mostly keyboard warriors are behind such attacks. He questioned where anyone could buy votes at 7,500 baht each, saying if that were true, it would more likely be 20,000 to 30,000 baht multiplied across many voters.
Asked whether Kla Tham’s current campaigning meets its targets, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said they have their own polls and also monitor others’. He expressed confidence, noting that the party consistently ranks in the top five in all polls, sometimes first in certain provinces. The party has maintained a top-five position in nearly every province.
When pressed on how much the party’s polls differ from others, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said there is little difference; most poll results are quite similar.
Asked about their seat target, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said they must do their best to campaign within legal frameworks, but ultimately, whether the public chooses them is unknown. He said no one can predict how voters will think inside the polling booth, but they do their homework and understand voter responses. Candidates in every district must be self-aware.
Asked if Kla Tham could form alliances with any party after the election, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said the party has clear principles, especially its leader who is very decisive. All party members firmly oppose anything that undermines the country’s core pillars of nation, religion, and monarchy. If that happens, he would quit politics altogether.
When asked about Kla Tham’s final campaign strategies, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said that is confidential. He emphasized that as an experienced candidate, in the last 10 days of every election, he never falls behind on any stage and always has special moves planned.
Asked if he could hint at any special tactics, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said voters will notice that in the final 10 days of every election, he always has his own special strategy.
Asked if Kla Tham remains confident about breaking through in the south, despite intense campaigning by many parties, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he is confident the south is not as some polls suggest, where Kla Tham is zero. He believes Kla Tham is among the top three in that region’s equation.
Asked about the People’s Party (Pop Party) and the Democrat Party (Dem Party) repeatedly stating they will not collaborate with Kla Tham, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he has his own stance and does not oppose any party outright. However, if a party clearly has policies that damage the country’s governance and foundations, he will not cooperate. He firmly rejects any alliance that undermines key national pillars, especially efforts to amend Article 112, which he strongly opposes.
When asked about pre-election talks of alliances, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said there is none. He questioned how anyone can know how many seats they will win, mocking those who tremble with desire to be prime minister and doubting they will even reach 25 seats, while Kla Tham is certain to succeed.
Asked about Kla Tham’s stance on constitutional amendments, especially sections 1 and 2, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said they will not touch those parts. He stated clearly that anything related to sections 1 and 2 is off-limits, and they will campaign with their allies against any attempts to amend those sections.
After the Cabinet meeting at 11:05, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat spoke about the remaining Kla Tham campaign schedule, saying all is set. On 21 Jan, he will travel to Nakhon Ratchasima, followed by Nakhon Sawan, Tak, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Nong Bua Lamphu, Mukdahan, and Chaiyaphum before heading south.
Asked if he would assist Phai Lik, Kamphaeng Phet MP for Kla Tham, in his apparent rivalry with Ratchanok Srinok, a party-list MP from the People’s Party, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said no assistance is needed as Phai can handle himself.
Mocking the People’s Party as irrelevant in the equation.
When asked if he is confident about winning in Kamphaeng Phet, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat replied simply, “Yes.” When pressed if Kamphaeng Phet is a must-win area, he said the province is where they intend to firmly establish four seats and are confident of success at this time, though ultimately it depends on the voters of Kamphaeng Phet. Asked if the People’s Party is a competitor there, he said probably not in the equation, but it still depends on the voters.
Asked if campaigning in the south has intensified in the final stretch, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said no, everything is proceeding according to the rules and nothing unusual.