Thammanat expressed concern that the Middle East conflict is driving up oil and fertilizer prices, worsening conditions for Thai farmers. He emphasized that the caretaker government must manage the situation while awaiting the new administration and reaffirmed his political stance: "Not betraying the leader, not selling out friends, friends never die."
At 10:00 a.m. on 16 March 2026, Captain Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, voiced concern over the conflict in the Middle East, which is causing a chain reaction impacting the global economy—especially pushing energy and fertilizer prices higher. This is further increasing production costs for Thai farmers, particularly rice farmers who have long struggled with low rice prices.
Captain Thammanat noted that under normal circumstances, rice farmers already face multiple challenges: rice prices that do not match production costs, and large yields that the market cannot fully absorb, resulting in farmers’ incomes not balancing with rising costs. The Middle East conflict worsens this situation as oil and fertilizer prices continue to rise steadily—key factors in planting and harvesting agricultural products, especially with the upcoming off-season rice harvest. If energy prices remain high, farmers will be directly affected.
“This is a major challenge that the new government taking office must prioritize and work much harder on, particularly in managing production inputs and implementing support measures for farmers facing higher costs,” he said. Captain Thammanat said.
However, during this interim period before the new government forms, as acting minister he affirmed he would do his utmost to address immediate problems to stabilize the situation and prevent further impact on farmers. He has assigned the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and related agencies to closely monitor the situation.
He acknowledged that much of the central government’s budget has already been allocated to other tasks, leaving limited remaining funds. Budget management is the responsibility of the Minister of Finance, who must consider measures to address issues, especially the rising oil prices affecting all sectors nationwide.
“The Agriculture Ministry will do its best to stabilize the situation during this period because main policies must wait for the new Minister of Agriculture to take office and manage,” Captain Thammanat said.
Additionally, Captain Thammanat spoke about the Kla Tham Party’s role after managing the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives for seven years. Although their role has changed, the party can still function through parliamentary mechanisms by proposing solutions to the government via the House of Representatives and working through various committees to continue promoting agricultural policies.
Regarding the Kla Tham Party’s decision to abstain from voting for the House Speaker on 15 March, Captain Thammanat confirmed it was a party consensus reached after deciding no candidate was suitable for support, so abstaining was preferable. He emphasized this decision was not his alone but a collective party resolution made prior to the meeting. When asked if the abstention was a tactical move to join the government later, he replied that Kla Tham Party has principles, ideology, and its own stance and is not maneuvering politically just to join the government.
“Not betraying the leader, not selling out friends.”
On whether Kla Tham Party would propose a prime ministerial candidate, Captain Thammanat said he could not answer at this time because no official internal discussions have occurred. Regarding rumors about his relationship with Anutin Charnvirakul after the phrase “friendship never expires” was mentioned, Captain Thammanat said he has many friends, seniors, and juniors in life and has always adhered to the principle “Not betraying the leader, not selling out friends.”
“I graduated from the military academy where we value the phrase ‘friends never die.’ If the Prime Minister speaks of me, I mean him as well.” When reporters asked if he would support Anutin to become prime minister, Captain Thammanat said this is a political matter that must be separated from personal relationships.