Associate Professor Jes exercised his early voting rights, urging the public to be vigilant against vote-buying and calling on the Election Commission (EC) to fully protect witnesses. He stated he disagrees with dividing political parties into patriotic and unpatriotic groups, as it creates division. He also revealed that the response to his campaign visits has been positive.
At 08:32 on 1 Feb 2026 GMT+7 Associate Professor Dr. Jes Tonawanik, prime ministerial candidate for the Rakchat Party, gave an interview after casting his early vote at the Ratchathewi District Office in Bangkok. He said the voting process was convenient and well-organized, with many voters participating. Officials provided professional service within a systematic setup. Voters could scan a QR code to find their assigned station. At the booths, information was provided including candidate names, candidate numbers, and party numbers. He advised voters to remember the party name or number and the candidate number. He emphasized that the green ballot is for single-member district MPs, and the pink ballot for party-list MPs. He noted the green ballot might be confusing as it shows only numbers without candidate names, while the pink ballot includes party names and logos. Even if voters forget the party number, they can mark the party name. However, since party and candidate numbers differ, confusion may occur.
When asked about the Rakchat Party's reception after campaigning in several provinces, Associate Professor Dr. Jes said that the response has been good. People have shown great interest, engaging in conversations and getting to know the party. Everywhere they went, they were warmly welcomed. People across all regions have been very supportive. Regarding whether the Rakchat Party will add any new highlights in the final campaign stretch, after previously featuring dancing and sword performances, Associate Professor Dr. Jes responded that these two things must be separated. The dancing was intended to attract attention and to promote soft power and the entertainment industry. The sword dances offered homage and loyalty to King Taksin the Great in Chanthaburi Province and honored the heroes of Ban Rachan in Singburi Province. These are acts of respect, unrelated to campaigning. For the final stretch, they are considering how to engage voters’ interest in understanding the party’s main policies and reasons to vote for them.
On the issue of vote-buying and illicit money, with the Governor of the Bank of Thailand speaking about unusual large cash withdrawals, and voice clips purportedly from a minister circulating, Associate Professor Dr. Jes revealed that vote-buying has never disappeared in past elections. Before the election began, people already predicted this would be a dirty election, possibly involving more money than before. No one believes this election will be free of money use. According to information his party has heard, the first wave involved 100 billion baht of illicit money; the second wave paid 7,500 baht per person, increasing the total to 200 billion baht. The Bank of Thailand governor reported cash withdrawals in the hundreds of millions, which is only part of the picture, excluding unreported amounts. This indicates extensive money use. While campaigning, they have heard from locals confirming these practices. Some have even identified themselves, but as they are competing candidates, he cannot disclose names.
Associate Professor Dr. Jes emphasized the need to entrust election inspectors, the Election Commission (EC), all forces, and the public. The Organic Act on the Election of MPs allows even those who receive money to report it without penalty, but only before the election and within seven days after. The EC’s witness protection system must function well for everyone to help. Ideally, no one accepts money, but if pressured to do so, protection is crucial.
"Simply consider that anyone paying you expects the money back many times over. So please choose the right people; otherwise, you help destroy the nation by starting with corruption and dishonesty. Therefore, think carefully and use discretion. This is not a debt of gratitude. Even if someone gives you hundreds of thousands, it is not a favor. True gratitude means working together to benefit the country, eliminating corrupt, dishonest, and exploitative people. This is what we must do collectively, serving as vigilant eyes and ears."
He further urged the EC and all cooperating agencies to ensure witness protection because otherwise, even if citizens want to report wrongdoing, many fear danger from malicious perpetrators. Authorities must protect the public. He also asked the public to help by using available reporting applications, enabling everyone to help eliminate threats to the country.
Regarding the statement by Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Southern Army Commander of the Bhumjaithai Party, who said the election should clearly distinguish between patriotic and unpatriotic parties, Associate Professor Dr. Jes said that the Rakchat Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, Mr. Chaiwat Thanakmanusorn, has already stated that although the party’s name is Rakchat (Love the Nation) and they promote patriotism among all Thais, inviting everyone to love the country, they do not claim to be the sole patriots. They do not support dividing parties into patriotic or unpatriotic. Such political rhetoric causes division and discord among people, starting with discord among political parties, which they believe is undesirable.
Associate Professor Dr. Jes is scheduled today to travel to Nakhon Si Thammarat Province to campaign in the final stretch before the general election on 8 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
