Sihasak reveals that as a professional diplomat, he did not expect to be appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and candidate for prime minister. He asserts that the nation comes above all else, pledging to extend his 4-month tenure to 4 years, build a three-layered defense for the country, and declare Thailand’s return to the global radar, emphasizing “Thailand must be free.”
At 17:35 on 6 February 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Sihasak Puangkaew, prime ministerial candidate of the Bhumjaithai Party, delivered a major speech at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. He opened up that, accustomed to being a professional diplomat, he never imagined taking on the role of Minister of Foreign Affairs and also being a candidate for prime minister.
He said that throughout his time as ambassador, he kept in mind a message from His Majesty the King that Thailand’s interests must be placed above all else.
He added that Thailand has at times stood still or even regressed, losing its status on the world stage because of unstable politics, weak economy, and a constantly defensive diplomacy. Therefore, this election is everyone’s duty to choose leaders capable of driving Thailand forward. He believes the public expects new politics with higher standards, capable and professional government leaders, and transparent, accountable politics.
He highlighted his achievements over the past three months since taking office, including handling border issues with Cambodia that had hurt tourism, stocks, and foreign investment, successfully reclaiming sovereign territory and gaining advantage on the global stage.
Currently, everyone calls for building fences, but he believes the best defense is threefold: 1. The strength of the Thai military, 2. Strong diplomacy that never yields disadvantage, and 3. Strong Thai leadership that has brought the country to its current position.
However, foreign affairs involve more than just Cambodia. He stressed restoring confidence in Thailand, noting that in the past four months they have proven Thailand’s true status. He said, “Yes, we can.” He asked for trust in the Bhumjaithai Party and in their professionalism, hoping to extend the past four months into four years. Over these four years, he believes Thailand will truly return to the world stage, with diplomacy becoming more sophisticated. He pledged that if returned to government, they will restore Thailand’s global reputation with honor and dignity, putting national interests first, and ensuring Thailand remains Thai (free).