Korn points out that the rhetoric "If not us, they will come" is mostly used when there is nothing left to fight with. He views Bhumjaithai as contradictory, having joined both the red and orange factions, and criticizes them for using speech that stirs hatred merely to gain votes.
At 14:00 on 28 January 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Korn Jatikavanich, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party and prime ministerial candidate, spoke at the Democrat Party regarding the case where leaders of the Bhumjaithai Party proposed the rhetoric "If not us, they will come," in the competition for votes in the Bangkok metropolitan area, saying that this rhetoric has been used in the past, mostly when there is nothing left to fight with. Historically, such strategies have never succeeded because the public never accepted rhetoric that tries to turn Bangkok voters by inciting hatred.
Korn further stated that in the past, the conflict was clearly between two factions, but now it is different because Bhumjaithai has clearly signaled readiness to form a government with both the red and orange camps. So, when they say "they will come," it is unclear if they mean red or orange, but probably orange. However, Bhumjaithai has never refused to join a government with either red or orange.
"I think it should not be used because saying 'If not us, they will come' while being ready to join the government is contradictory, and it confuses the public regarding Bhumjaithai’s intentions. I don’t know what concerns Bhumjaithai has because in past elections, they were ready to join any government, aligning themselves every time. They recently joined a government with the red faction and sought votes from the orange faction to become prime minister. But now they speak in a way that makes the public dislike them, which is incorrect. If the strategy is to discourage people from wanting an orange government, especially in Bangkok, they should not suggest voting for the blue party because it has no chance to beat orange. Therefore, if they are honest about this strategy, they should advise people which party to choose."
He added that he has no words to counter this rhetoric but asks that it not be used in a contradictory way or to incite hatred just to gain votes. If any strategy is proposed, it should be honest and truthful.