Anutin asked the people of Pathum Thani for the opportunity to choose Bhumjaithai Party, appealing to return as prime minister. He criticized those who stand with their hands crossed behind their backs during the national anthem as disrespecting the anthem and their ancestors. Citing the rice stockpiling issue, he mocked his opponents, saying this shows the difference in 'wisdom.' In Pathum Thani, he encountered a 'Red Shirt Auntie' who appeared to place a garland made of face masks around him.
At 18:00 on 1 Feb 2026 at the multipurpose plaza of Sam Khok Market, Pathum Thani Province, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai Party and prime ministerial candidate, together with Mr. Surasak Phanjaroenworakul, deputy party leader and party-list MP candidate, and Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, party-list MP candidate, held a campaign rally supporting Bhumjaithai candidates for all 8 constituencies in Pathum Thani Province. The candidates are Mr. Surasak Suratatjok for Constituency 1, Ms. Chidchanok Puangphet for Constituency 2, Mr. Kunanon Chuprasert for Constituency 3, Mr. Jamlong Nganyuang for Constituency 4, Mr. Chaiyan Phonsuwan for Constituency 5, Mr. Warakorn Kruethongsri for Constituency 6, Mr. Phitsanu Phonthi for Constituency 7, and Ms. Pornpimon Thamsan for Constituency 8.
Reporters noted that before the speech began at 18:00, Mr. Anutin, party leaders, and all 8 Pathum Thani candidates stood in attention to honor the national anthem, then began the campaign speech.
On stage, Mr. Anutin apologized that his voice might not be as clear as usual due to the busy season of meeting and campaigning nationwide. He said he brought Mr. Charn Puangphet, former chief of Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization, to meet the people. He recalled coming here during the 2019 election and now returned confidently asking Pathum Thani people to give Bhumjaithai Party a chance to serve them. It would be better if everyone allowed the party to return to work, with him as prime minister, forming a government for all. He promised to come back in two weeks to thank them. He noted that market vendors could then keep signs for the 'Khon La Khrueng Plus Phase 2' scheme, which would no longer be removed. This program shows how it stimulates the economy by reducing expenses and circulating money nationwide. This is what Bhumjaithai offers to the public to boost economic growth together.
He remarked that the national anthem sounded better than usual recently and asked if anyone stood still with their hands crossed behind their backs.
Mr. Anutin said that just now, as we all sang the Thai national anthem together, did you feel it sounded better than usual? Did it inspire patriotic pride? Did anyone stand still with crossed arms behind their back? He observed and saw that the people of Pathum Thani stood straight, with no one crossing their hands. The Thai national anthem is sung most beautifully by Thais, and Thais listen to it most beautifully because it is our anthem. We must respect and honor the flag every time by standing up, which honors our ancestors, religion, the highest institutions, and those who defend Thailand, allowing us to live peacefully today. This is the meaning of respecting the flag; it means more than just a piece of cloth. If the cloth has red, white, and blue colors, it represents Thailand, a land protected by ancestors who sacrificed their lives and spirit. Today, the anthem sounds beautiful because we have been bullied and threatened, so we cherish our land. We do not interfere with other lands, but if anyone interferes with ours, we must defend and fight to prevent invasion. This is what it means to be Thai.
Mr. Anutin continued that Bhumjaithai Party joined the government three to four months ago, coinciding with this situation. He has proven that no matter what anyone says, even if Bhumjaithai is a minority government for only four months, when the nation is threatened or sovereignty violated, he as head of government has done his utmost to protect our country’s safety from foreign threats.
Therefore, he urged everyone to be confident that we are safe; no one can threaten, harass, or violate our sovereignty. People can plan and do everything as they intend. The border checkpoints will never open; they will remain closed because keeping them closed benefits Thailand greatly. Closed borders mean no illegal drugs, no smuggled rice, no smuggled cassava, and no illegal labor sneaking in.
"It is a consensus on border closure. If Bhumjaithai is in government, there will be no opening, no need for phone calls or discussions. The people have decided. The prime minister from Bhumjaithai, if the people want the borders reopened, then fine, but otherwise, no opening," Mr. Anutin said.
Mr. Anutin said Pathum Thani is an important province, with development similar to Bangkok and a center of the metropolitan area. Today, everyone must help push Pathum Thani to progress more in all aspects and reduce Bangkok’s congestion by spreading prosperity more widely. He has closely followed Pathum Thani’s growth for many years and is close with Mr. Charn for decades, even before he entered politics. He also knows many others, including Police Lieutenant General Kamronwit Thupkrajang, a friend. He has no conflicts with anyone in Pathum Thani and believes he can unify forces there to develop the province together.
Mr. Anutin said this time he asks Bhumjaithai Party to come and work fully, at least once. In just four months, they accomplished the 'Khon La Khrueng' scheme. During campaigning, he did not parade; those holding signs were asked to put them away. He walked with only 3-4 people, no crowd following to cause disturbances. He said such processions are unnecessary because he is not afraid of anyone kidnapping him for ransom—he eats well every day and can be seen on Facebook. What he gains from walking markets and community areas is information. Everyone requests Phase 2 of 'Khon La Khrueng' but does not ask for more to avoid disturbing the country or fiscal discipline. They say this amount is enough. He joked about offering to give 10,000 baht each, but villagers refused, saying it would cause disorder. When the money is received, creditors stand ready to collect it all before it is even spent. He discussed with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas about restructuring debt so people have no illegal debts. If they can pay 2% interest daily, they should be able to pay 2% monthly, as banks do.
He boasted that former U.S. President Donald J. Trump praised the Thai prime minister’s competence, noting that the experience of stockpiling versus not stockpiling rice makes a difference.
Mr. Anutin said that the word 'Thailand' never left the lips of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump during their 3-4 months of contact. Trump said the Thai prime minister is skilled, and they have brought Thailand back onto the world’s radar. At the same time, Thailand must behave properly. The world has set new rules forbidding illegal labor, child labor, and labor under oppression. We do not want to engage in those practices anyway.
Mr. Anutin said that since becoming Minister of Interior, Bhumjaithai Party has pushed policies to enable Thai people to export goods abroad without trade barriers.
"Bhumjaithai Party has ready personnel traveling worldwide. Previously, no one dared to go because they did not know their strengths or had confidence. Supachai said he would sell rice abroad only if he knew there was stockpiled rice. If he can walk in and they want to buy 700,000 tons, but he has 1 million tons in stock, he can promise delivery tomorrow, and they will buy from us. Meanwhile, some parties say no need to stockpile rice; it’s wasteful. Sell first, get orders later. Vietnam has already taken over, selling faster than us. This is the difference in experience, in wisdom, in cunning. Not the slang word but the real meaning. Bhumjaithai has such people throughout the party. Four months and we have done this much, imagine four years," said Mr. Anutin.
Mr. Anutin said he works happily seeing people respond with thanks for 'Khon La Khrueng,' border closures, and reclaiming territory. He noted that hundreds of millions of baht were allocated, but the money could not even be exchanged yet. Therefore, this money means nothing. He denied claims that he does politics for business gain; public recognition is worth 500 billion baht to him, and no one can pay that.
Mr. Anutin emphasized there is no need to ask when Phase 2 of 'Khon La Khrueng' will come because it will come naturally—from the heart and intention, without pressure. If it is done with heart and benefits the people, he will do everything and find the right people for the job.
"It makes me angry thinking about being bullied, being submissive, wanting something and being told no, not even giving what I want. How can I ask for anything? It’s a different country. Only Thai brothers and sisters are here. If you want something, say it," Mr. Anutin said.
Mr. Anutin asked rhetorically if his trial period is over, can he get an extension? Then, if after 12 months, all indicators fall and he cannot deliver for the people, he should be dismissed without wasting taxpayers’ money or rice supplies.
"People say will I dare to resign? They said to dissolve parliament by 31 Jan. We talked without agreement and dissolved it on 8 Dec. It’s been done; I’m not attached. If it’s useless, no need to keep it. I don’t wait for public evaluation; I can assess myself daily. Those who work for the country have instincts. If I wake up and feel I’m no longer valuable to Thais, I won’t stay," Mr. Anutin said.
However, during his speech, some attendees shouted, "Stay longer, stay longer, Pathum Thani wants bright lights."
Mr. Anutin replied, "Want bright lights? Can you ask for something harder? It’s an insult. I’m the prime minister and minister of interior, overseeing the Provincial Electricity Authority to provide water, electricity, good roads, and income for everyone."
At the end, Mr. Anutin told the people of Pathum Thani, "My heart has only you, only you; and your heart has only me," referencing candidate number 37 before joining a photo session with the audience.
Encountering a challenge in Pathum Thani, a 'Red Shirt Auntie' appeared, placing a garland made of face masks.
Reporters reported that after the speech, Mr. Anutin, Mr. Charn Puangphet, and Bhumjaithai candidates for Pathum Thani walked around Sam Khok market greeting shoppers and vendors. Some vendors expressed excitement meeting the real prime minister, saying it gave them goosebumps before they left.
During the walk from the stage to the market, a red-shirted woman brought a garland made from face masks strung on red rope, likely a symbolic protest expressing dissatisfaction with the COVID-19 management during Mr. Anutin’s tenure as Minister of Public Health.
Mr. Anutin briefly greeted vendors inside Sam Khok market but did not buy any food while meeting them. Reporters noted that during his interviews and speeches, he appeared tired and his voice was rather hoarse.
