“Theng Natthapong” is highly popular as Udon residents flock to hug and pinch his cheeks, emphasizing the People's Party prime minister's stance that ministers with tarnished records must be boldly dismissed.
On 4 February 2026, Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, along with Mr. Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and party leaders, led an election caravan named “Nai Hoi Thamin” touring throughout Udon Thani province. They visited districts including Ban Phue, Phen, Ban Dung, Nong Han, and the Mueang district amid a lively atmosphere with people lining the route to welcome them.
A key highlight was in Nong Wua So district, where Mr. Natthapong joined the team of MP candidates. Locals warmly greeted him, offering oranges and snacks, with many embracing him, pinching his cheeks, and taking selfies with the People's Party leader in a friendly manner. Mr. Natthapong thanked Nong Wua So residents for previously voting for him to win the provincial governor election and expressed confidence that this time Udon people would strongly support “Pee Tik” Mr. Anutin Sidaubon, candidate for MP in constituency 8.
Mr. Natthapong emphasized in an interview that the sole goal of the party is to form a people’s government with himself as prime minister, backed by enough public support to have bargaining power. There is no need to answer whether they will ally with the “red” or “blue” sides. The key issue is that parties joining the government must agree on shared conditions for national administration.
One of the most forceful speeches set standards for ministers in the People's Party government. Mr. Natthapong firmly stated that no one involved in drug trafficking or human trafficking would be appointed minister. The prime minister’s authority must be supreme; if any minister’s bad history emerges later, the prime minister must have the immediate power to replace them without fearing coalition partners. The prime minister holds the ultimate power to dissolve parliament as leverage. In the final four days, he urged decisive voting for the People's Party on both ballots to break from old politics and form a people’s government together.
