Piyabutr campaigns in Chaiyaphum, declaring the People's Party is being cornered with coordinated efforts to block it from forming a government. He points out that if they secure 20 million votes and 250 MPs, no one can stop them. Meanwhile, the People's Party divides campaign teams to quickly present policies directly to the people in the area.
On 20 January 2026, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, former secretary-general of the Future Forward Party and currently a campaign assistant for the People's Party, spoke at the multipurpose plaza in Chaiyaphum Municipality, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum Province. He said, “Our group has been dissolved twice and many members disqualified. We won the election but did not form the government. Are we discouraged? No. We continue to fight because we believe the people want change. We believe Thailand has the potential to do better. I take this opportunity to campaign and show how important the election on 8 February is to the lives of every citizen.”
Piyabutr continued, “All parties can promise good policies or solutions to issues like land rights, scammers, drugs, etc. Every election, parties present policies to the people. But I want to invite everyone to consider: the parties contesting now, especially the major and leading parties, have all been in government. They have held ministries such as agriculture and commerce. They have managed various ministries. Only the People's Party has never held power to govern the country.”
He said, “So if parties and politicians want to offer good things to the people, the loud question is: What were you doing when you were in government? You say you will fight corruption, gray capital, scammers, online gambling, and drugs destroying our youth. But in 2019, when you were government, what did you do? In 2023, you were government again, what did you do? Is it only now that you realize?”
Similarly, policies to solve livelihood problems, promises to increase people's income, improve lives, convert land documents to title deeds, increase elderly allowances—these were all campaign promises since 2019 and 2023 while you were in government. So why didn't you do it?”
He said, “That is the difference, friends. If we believe the old parties and politicians can really change, then the question is: They had many chances. Why didn't they change?”
“So if you think Thai society cannot continue as before and must undergo major change, we cannot rely on the same old politicians, the same teams, the same parties who have been ministers and prime ministers. We can’t use them anymore, because if they were effective, your lives would have improved long ago.”
Piyabutr continued, “This election on 8 February 2026, I ask the people of Chaiyaphum to use their power to enact three changes:
1. “Change the Members of Parliament.” We want MPs who understand the people's concerns, young people with new ideas, who do not lean on any vested interests. So when elected, they owe no one but the people. They will work well in their constituencies and in parliament. People's Party MPs must excel in both. Since you’ve tried all before, why not try changing MPs once more by voting for the People's Party in all 7 districts and the party list number 46 nationwide?”
2. “Change the government.” When People's Party MPs from the 7 districts and party list become representatives, they will not only represent Chaiyaphum but will also vote for the prime minister. They will support Teng Natthapong Ruangpanyawut as prime minister, allowing the People's Party to form a government by the people, for the people.
This time, votes cannot be split. We need support both in constituencies and party lists because there is a necessity. The current power holders fear and oppose Future Forward, Move Forward, and People's Party forming the government, because if they do, the corrupt exploitation of resources will end. They feared this last time, underestimated us, and only blocked us after winning. This time they are prepared from the start, attacking us relentlessly. This shows they really don't want us to govern.
Therefore, winning some seats or even all seats in Chaiyaphum may not be enough. We must be number one nationally with over 250 MPs. In this election on 8 February 2026, let's exceed 250 seats and 20 million votes nationwide. Then no one can block the formation of a people's government.
3. “Change the constitution.” The current constitution originated from a coup’s spirit, successfully designed to perpetuate power in the 2019 election, allowing a single-person-appointed Senate to select the prime minister. Today's second Senate still has problematic origins and selects independent agencies. The so-called anti-corruption constitution has failed, with corruption widespread, and coup-appointed prime ministers staying in power long while elected ones are frequently removed. People's Party MPs have repeatedly pushed to amend the constitution but were blocked by the Senate. This time, through negotiations, we got a referendum opportunity, a voice of the people for a new constitution. If 25-30 million vote in favor, no Senate can block it.
Thus, for the 8 February election with three ballots: the first green ballot to vote for the 7 People's Party candidates in Chaiyaphum as our representatives working fully in parliament; the second pink ballot to vote for the People's Party party list number 46 to gain the most votes; and the last yellow ballot to approve the referendum on drafting a new constitution.
Piyabutr concluded, “Since 2018, Thananthorn and I have faced many hardships and legal cases. Are we discouraged? Never. We believe Thailand can be better and that we still have supporters. As long as the people are our strong shield, we will never retreat. We have no state power, no mechanisms, no money like they do. We have no big investor backing. We have only the people. It is because of the people that our struggle continues. In 2023 we almost reached our dream. For the 2026 election, we ask for your strength once again.”
Piyabutr reflected, “In 2023, we hoped Pita would be prime minister, but that hope was crushed by obstruction. People said it’s okay, wait for next time. Then the party was dissolved, causing pain, but people promised to unleash power in the next election. That time is now, sooner than expected. We don't have to wait till 2027; the election is in 2026. Today, I ask the people again to bring back that hope. Only hope can overcome their fear. They use lies, legal cases, and complaints because they are afraid. The more afraid they are, the more we must use hope to defeat their fear and bring that hope to everyone who owns this country.”
“What does democracy mean? Simply, it means the highest power belongs to the people, not some abstract principle. This power is not gifted by gods or fallen from heaven; it is inherent from birth. Being human in this society, we jointly own this country. As co-owners, we decide together who represents us, who governs, who is prime minister, and who manages the budget from our taxes. On 8 February, this supreme power will show its strength once again.”
“In 2019, we showed it but failed. In 2023, we got 14.4 million votes but were still blocked. If this third time we get 20 million votes and over 250 MPs, that signals the majority of Thai citizens have authorized the People's Party to govern. If more than half grant this mandate, no other permission is needed.”
People's Party splits campaign efforts: Natcha campaigns in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Wiroj in Kanchanaburi.
On 21 January, the People's Party led by Natcha Boonchaiinsawat, party list candidate, joined Pakorn Areekul, candidate for Nakhon Si Thammarat District 1, campaigning in the Ban Kan Khao 1 community. The atmosphere was friendly during an open coffee discussion addressing local issues, with residents actively participating.
Natcha said, “After listening closely, a clear concern emerged about the future of the community’s early childhood development center, which risks closure due to declining child numbers below official thresholds. For many families, this center is more than childcare; it is a starting point that supports early learning and development. It is a place where parents, especially labor and low-income families, can safely leave their children during work hours.”
However, closing the center based solely on numbers may overlook its social importance. Even with fewer children, the need for quality childcare remains. In fact, many children remaining require closer attention in nutrition, basic skill development, and school readiness.
Natcha noted another issue: the center currently accepts children only from age two, which doesn't reflect the reality for many working parents, especially women returning to work soon after maternity leave while their children are only a few months old.
The gap between maternity leave and the minimum age for childcare creates a heavy burden. Many parents rely on informal care or pay for private babysitters, worsening existing inequalities in the community.
Natcha emphasized that the People's Party proposes expanding childcare center admissions to children as young as four months, aligning with maternity leave periods. This helps parents return to work confidently without choosing between employment and their child's safety and development.
This policy not only eases family burdens but is a long-term investment in early childhood development during a critical brain growth phase, forming the foundation for future population quality.
The concerns from Ban Kan Khao 1 are not just about keeping or closing the center but raise an important question for government policy: will children be seen as a budget burden or the most vital long-term investment for the country?
Meanwhile, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, party list candidate and deputy leader, campaigned at the farmer’s market (Klong Ma Nao Market) in Ban Sing District, Kanchanaburi Province. He used a door-to-door approach and then spoke from a campaign vehicle, saying, “It's time to raise the elderly allowance; it hasn’t been increased in 14 years despite rising prices. Also, we have a policy for young children’s allowances. Currently, not all children qualify, but our People's Party policy gives support from five months in the womb to help mothers provide better nutrition for their unborn babies.”
