Suchart criticized the spiritual leader for causing chaos over the recount in Chonburi Constituency 1, challenging whether they would dare to resign as an MP if the vote count remains the same. He mocked them as children throwing a tantrum wanting candy, stating that the matter is the Election Commission's responsibility and that he is not concerned if a recount is required.
At 09:30 on 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Suchart Chomklin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and candidate for Member of Parliament (MP) for Chonburi Constituency 1 representing the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), spoke at the Government House regarding the calls for a recount in Chonburi Province, Constituency 1. He said this matter must be separated by responsibility. His duty ended at 18:00 on 7 Feb. On 8 Feb, he went to vote, and thereafter all political parties have observers at every polling station with video cameras monitoring the behavior of each party.
He did not personally stay at any polling station during the counting because he was monitoring from home. When the vote count matches the number of voters, the process ends with the polling station officials, who are government officers overseeing the 168 stations in Chonburi Province. If discrepancies or invalid ballots occur, a recount must be conducted there to finalize the results. This is the law; in Thailand, we must follow the law. If politicians do not accept the law, they cannot be politicians.
Suchart continued, the current problem in Chonburi Constituency 1, judging from Facebook, stems from agitation by their spiritual leader. He wanted to tell the public that we are under the law. From the election results he reviewed, he received about 45,700 votes, while the orange party opponent got about 41,000 votes, nearly a 5,000-vote difference. He also questioned what suspicions they had, noting the opponent's party-list votes were about 43,000—not an abnormally high 40,000–50,000 that would raise concerns.
"Therefore, it is clear that this is a refusal to accept election results, which should not happen in Thailand, because every vote counts. Bringing supporters of each side to confront each other serves no purpose."
He added that it is the Election Commission's (EC) duty to clarify the law. He admitted limited legal knowledge but said that if there are objections to the count, protests must be made at the polling station. Once the count is finished and signed by the polling officials, the results are sent to the Chonburi EC. If a recount is desired, it must follow legal procedures, such as going to court. He asked who would take responsibility if a recount with a 4,000–5,000 vote gap yields the same result. Who would be accountable? Those inciting unrest? Those behind the scenes wearing masks, hats, and glasses hiding in the background?
Regarding Chonburi Constituency 2, where all polling stations were counted, Suchart's group won by a few hundred votes. He said he does not know where the advance voting was counted but heard they lost by 1,500 votes and then by 1,000 votes, which they accept democratically. They did not call for a recount, have not seen the advance vote boxes, and accept the EC's reported figures.
When asked about social media images showing ballots being counted and papers thrown in trash bins, Suchart said he could not answer for the EC. He speculated the papers might be notices posted on boards but did not know if they would be used further. Each station concludes with A4 papers signed by everyone; some parts may be placed in the ballot box. He doubted large papers would be used and said he was not familiar with EC procedures as he was never a polling official.
On how to resolve the current widespread public confusion, Suchart said the EC must explain legal procedures and questioned those behind the Facebook posts causing agitation. He asked what accountability they would have if a recount in Pathum Thani Province produces the same results, or if Bangkok recounts all 33 constituencies, or if he himself called for a full recount in Chonburi Constituency 2.
"What do you really want? I consider myself an adult. I don't want to prolong this for over 40 days. I have been exhausted waking at 4 or 5 a.m., campaigning in housing estates, greeting voters, driving around. Have they done this? Have they ever been with the people in hardship like I have? Every vote is pure, cast by people who came out to vote. If election rules are not accepted, why be politicians? We are like athletes."
Suchart said he cannot speak for the EC; it is their duty to explain. If something is illegal, it must be illegal in all stations. Anyone can request a recount if suspicious, so why have observers from each party at polling stations?
When asked about calls for a complete re-election in Chonburi Constituency 1, Suchart said, "Because they do not accept the results." Asked what the best solution to the problem is, Suchart replied, "Follow the law and democratic principles." When asked if he would oppose a recount if the EC deems it necessary, Suchart said he is not concerned and will abide by the law. He has campaigned hard, sweating and standing in the heat daily to meet voters at their homes, fulfilling his duties fully.
Asked if his team had observers at polling stations, Suchart said all parties sent observers. In one polling station in Bangsaen, there was a power outage. He wondered why the power went out and later learned a storm occurred. At that time, he was already leading by over 4,000 votes. At that station, he led by 100 votes. Electricity officials fixed the problem, counting continued, and their people stayed to watch.
When questioned whether there were objections during problems despite observers being present, Suchart said he saw on Facebook that they recruited young volunteers as polling officials. Every station had them. When asked about public doubts that while the power was out, fans were still operating, Suchart replied that could not be true. If the power was out, it must be out; otherwise, why would electricity officials be called to repair? He said there is no evidence for the claims. When asked if he would object to a recount, Suchart replied he has never thought about it and will follow the law.
"If a recount yields the same results, which I am confident it will, who will take responsibility? Will those inciting unrest resign as MPs? Do they dare? They don't need to be named; just look on Facebook. Do they dare? Don't act behind the scenes."
Asked if the issue might escalate, Suchart said it is the EC's responsibility, not theirs. Their role is as candidates to seek votes; the next step is the EC's to oversee and manage elections. Otherwise, this situation will continue. "If you are a child who wants candy but doesn't get it and cries tantrums to get the candy, how can you manage a country?"
Asked if the Bhumjaithai Party leader inquired about this, Suchart said no, as the matter is beyond the candidate and now with the EC. Otherwise, why have an EC? He said we should accept the reality that their party's popularity has dropped by millions of votes, and the party-list votes reflect this. In his constituency, the party-list votes were only 43,000, of which 3,000 voted for him, and he is grateful.
Asked about leaflets with candidate photos containing money, Suchart said the EC should respond. He knows nothing about money attached to campaign materials. Anyone can do that; if a journalist were a candidate, he might distribute hundreds of thousands of leaflets himself and could clip something to them. He has filed complaints against defamation and will prosecute those who spread false accusations. He noted that these accusations surfaced only after the results were announced.