The Chartthaipattana Party elected "Kanchana" as its new party leader, emphasizing that "Warawut" did not abandon the party their father founded. They explained that his move to the Bhumjaithai Party was to improve work efficiency. She lamented that in 2023, her younger brother nearly failed the election and could only secure a seat as a party-list MP by a narrow margin.
At 09:30 on 31 January 2026, at the Chartthaipattana Party branch office in Mueang Suphan Buri District, Suphan Buri Province, the party held its 1/2026 general meeting. Mr. Teera Wongsamut, former leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, chaired the meeting. The key agenda was the election of a new executive committee to replace the outgoing one. Several key party leaders attended, including Mr. Chongchai Thiengtham and Mr. Somchai Sujit, both party members.
The meeting resolved to elect a new executive committee of nine members: Ms. Kanchana Silpa-archa as party leader; Mr. Aksit Akkasakkirit as deputy leader; Mr. Udomsak Srisutiwa as party secretary; Mr. Nitiwat Chansawang as deputy secretary; Mrs. Phuangrat Chaibutr as party treasurer; Mr. Phisit Pityathakuljaroen as party membership registrar; and three other executive members: Mr. Surachai Thingerd, Mr. Apiwat Buaphan, and Mr. Boonsong Rattanaporn.
Ms. Kanchana expressed her gratitude after being elected party leader. She dismissed claims that the Chartthaipattana Party was defunct, affirming the party remains united. She never imagined returning as leader after previously serving and passing the role to Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa. She explained that Warawut resigned as party leader and moved to the Bhumjaithai Party along with former MPs and some members. Questions arose about why Warawut and some members switched parties, stirring debate and attacks alleging he abandoned their father's party. She clarified on social media that the move was necessary because the Chartthaipattana Party has significantly shrunk, even during former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa’s era. For example, in the 2011 election, they won 15 constituency MPs and 4 party-list MPs, totaling 19, becoming a small party.
Ms. Kanchana said that small parties face many difficulties in effective political work. She has heard that some say voting for small parties is pointless as they cannot accomplish much, so voting for bigger parties is better for tangible results, which is true. She thanked Suphan Buri voters for consistently electing constituency MPs for the party. However, even during Banharn’s time, the party never topped the party-list vote in Suphan Buri, despite his lifetime contributions to the province. Instead, other parties that did little for Suphan Buri ranked higher. In the 2023 election, Chartthaipattana was ranked third behind Move Forward Party (now the People's Party) and Pheu Thai Party. She wondered why this happened despite their dedication. She noted that Warawut nearly failed, barely securing a party-list MP seat as the party's top candidate with just over 100,000 votes.
Ms. Kanchana said that in the 8 February election, if Warawut had not moved to the larger party, he would have definitely lost. Warawut and former MPs wanted to work effectively for people in Suphan Buri and other provinces, so they had to join a bigger party. Staying in the old party would have meant no MP seat and no ability to serve the public. She compared this to Banharn’s life—born and raised in Suphan Buri until age 18, despite his love for the province, he had to leave for Bangkok to grow before returning to develop his hometown. Similarly, Warawut had no chance to serve Suphan Buri and others unless he joined a bigger party. She asked for help in explaining this to avoid further claims that Warawut abandoned their father’s party. Being part of a ruling coalition party with multiple ministries facilitates cooperation and effective work.
"Don’t worry, the Chartthaipattana Party is still here. I, Kanchana, still watch over it, with the help of the executive committee. The party remains, no matter what colors we wear, whether Warawut or others who moved to new parties wear different colors or names. The spirit of Banharn, his bloodline, remains fully alive in Warawut and myself. The legacy we uphold does not change with party colors but lives on fully in us," she said.
Ms. Kanchana added that although the party is not fielding candidates in this election, the Chartthaipattana Party’s offices remain in Bangkok, Suphan Buri, and other provincial branches. The executive committee is still active. Even without a political role, they can coordinate with Warawut and offer assistance to the public when needed.