Thammanat entered the Ministry of Agriculture after viewing the northern lights, admitting he has not yet talked with Anutin and pointing out no one from the Bhumjaithai Party has contacted him. He revealed that some party members have reported being approached to defect as "green snakes." He believes voting will remain disciplined and insists on working closely with Chalermchai.
At 1:30 p.m. on 27 Feb 2026 GMT+7 at the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat Phromphao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, in his role as chairman of the Kla Party advisory board, arrived at the ministry for the first time after returning from a vacation in Finland. Journalists greeted him with, “We wait for you every day.”
Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat then gave an interview about the clarity of joining the government with the Bhumjaithai Party, saying there is none yet and that he has not talked with anyone nor been contacted by anyone.
When asked if he knows at this moment whether the Kla Party will join the opposition or government side, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he does not yet know, awaiting the completion of MP registrations and the announcement of party-list MP results, which he does not know the timing of. He has instructed members to report together.
When asked about rumors of a deal involving nine "green snake" MPs to support Bhumjaithai, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said that while he was in Finland, some prospective Kla Party MPs contacted him to report that such approaches were indeed made. Everyone reported to him, mostly confirming some individuals mentioned in the news.
When asked if he made any promises to Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and leader of Bhumjaithai, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he never promised anything to anyone.
When pressed about his previous statement that Anutin said if no one aligns with Kla Party, then the two parties would join hands, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said politics has no promises; only that today has no yesterday.
Asked about his current stance, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said that being a politician requires dignity and focus on one’s duties. As an MP, one must care for their constituency regardless of status. People like him help the public.
Asked when it will be known whether Kla Party will join the opposition or government, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said that politically, they must respect the top party leading the government formation, who have the right to choose coalition partners. So once the leading party’s leader provides information,he will know.If the deal is not finalized, they must give that party respect and not preemptively declare their position.They should not make premature statements.Whether to lean left or right, the important thing is to have dignity; if one lacks dignity, one should not be a politician.
When asked if he personally will not decide alone and will wait for signals,about joining the government,Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he does not decide alone, as he must wait for the full party executive committee meeting to decide their final position. They will also wait to see what the leading party decides. If one day they get a clear answer that the leading party is ready without Kla Party, then they are ready to serve as opposition to oversee the government.
Asked why, despite previously standing shoulder to shoulder with Bhumjaithai, there is still no clear coalition decision and why they wait for Bhumjaithai to decide, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he has his own stance and so does Kla Party. They will not chase after others without dignity; that is not his style.
When asked when the Kla Party executive committee will meet, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said they will wait until all MPs are officially certified.And wheneveryone has reported in, they will schedule the meeting.
Asked if he has talked with Newin Chidchob, chairman of Buriram United Football Club,Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat replied,“Why should I talk with Newin? Don’t involve him. Last time during government formation talks, I only spoke with the Bhumjaithai leader, Anutin. So don’t bring outsiders into this—it might be illegal.” As for whether Anutin has absolute decision-making power in Bhumjaithai, he said that is their matter.He has decision-making authority.Whether Anutin has that authority, he does not know; that is their business.
Asked if Bhumjaithai has changed before and after the election, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said no, that politics is just like that.
Asked how, as opposition, he will prevent party members from breaking ranks or becoming "snakes," Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said that the Kla Party MPs,party members,if experienced MPs,are 100% his own people. They have been through a lot together, no matter what the future holds, they have always stayed united. There are 18 of them who have been with him since the original Palang Pracharath Party, then to the Thai Economic Party, and back to Palang Pracharath.They have stayed together throughout. As forthe friends’ group MPs,led by Chalermchai Srion, they talk daily. Chalermchai has already told the media they are united and will stick together.
Asked if he is confident about the entire Kla Party vote or only the 18 long-standing MPs, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said all new MPs are his subordinates.
When asked if they have discussed the issue of green snake defections, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said Chalermchai confirmed they will stand shoulder to shoulder together.
Asked if he had a personal phone conversation with Chalermchaiafter the news of the nine green snakes,Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he respected not to ask about it. Chalermchai told him not to worry and that they are united, and they talked after Thammanat returned to Thailand.
When asked if he has spoken with Anutin, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said no, neither before nor after traveling to Finland, including before the Cabinet meeting on 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7. There has been no signal. He explained the reason he has not spoken is that he has not called anyone, nor has anyone from Bhumjaithai called him.Others have not called either.
When asked about the proposal to vote for prime minister first and then negotiate ministries, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he cannot decide now and must discuss with his colleagues first.
Asked how he feels about the latest cabinet lineup not including Kla Party, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he just learned from the media.
Asked if he will vote to support Anutin as prime minister, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said he must consult the Kla Party executive committee; he cannot decide alone.
When asked his view if Pheu Thai Party takes over the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat said no comment. However, he remains concerned about work at the Agriculture Ministry. Since the government of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, there have been many issues he wanted to address but,,the government changed prime ministers frequently,causing policies to lack continuity. Under Anutin,tenure was too short,so nothing concrete could be done, only structural groundwork. He worries about the future of farmers because if someone who does not truly understand agriculture sits there, it will be difficult.
When asked what conditions Kla Party has for joining government, Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat chuckled and walked away from the interview without answering.
When asked if Kla Party joining government without Thammanat accepting a position is possible, he did not answer and went to his office immediately.