Thanaporn challenges the People's Party to clearly announce they will not partner with Pheu Thai, stressing the campaign slogan 'With Us, No Gray Areas' following the controversy over Suriya buying a plane from Ben Smith. He warns it should not just be a vote-seeking statement.
On 7 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Associate Professor Thanaporn Sriyakul, a political analyst, shared his views on the post-election political situation, anticipating that after the election, government formation talks must proceed. He noted that if the Bhumjaithai Party ranks first, government formation chances will be broad due to fewer complex conditions for coalition. However, if they rank second, Anutin Charnvirakul, the party leader, has shown gentlemanly conduct by clearly stating that the first-ranked party should have the first opportunity to form a government, with others following if unsuccessful.
Thanaporn stated that if the People's Party ranks first, they should first negotiate with Bhumjaithai. The People's Party should declare now that they will not ally with Pheu Thai, as they have consistently promoted the 'With Us, No Gray Areas' campaign and previously announced no coalition with the Kla Party.
Previously, Pheu Thai has faced multiple questions, ranging from alleged links to gray capital networks to cases involving a former digital minister connected to an iris scan cryptocurrency exchange under investigation, as well as a Pheu Thai MP candidate in Kalasin accused of connections to an online gambling network.
However, the most criticized issue currently is Suriya Junrungreangkit, Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, purchasing a plane previously owned by Ben Smith, who has been identified as linked to a scammer network in Cambodia. There are suspicions this may involve financial ties to the gray capital group of Mr. Yim Liak.
Thanaporn said that if the People's Party truly wants to uphold the 'With Us, No Gray Areas' slogan, Pheu Thai should be among the first parties excluded from government formation talks. Otherwise, questions will arise whether this is just an election strategy.
"If you still stand by the phrase 'With Us, No Gray Areas,' you must make your position clear, or pretend otherwise, since Suriya is a close associate of Thanathorn; it's your choice. But if you ultimately form a government together, the public will inevitably question whether the slogan was merely rhetoric to win votes," Thanaporn warned.