An exclusive report on the latest situation at Chong An Ma, Ubon Ratchathani, with "Kungfu Wasawat," including a tour of the "Iem Ubon" cassava factory. The coverage delves into the relationships within the Wang Supakitkosol family and the strategy that enabled a small party to secure six parliamentary seats.
On 26 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Thairath Politics dispatched a team to Ubon Ratchathani to interview Wasawat Puangpornsi, leader of the Thai Ruam Palang Party. This special coverage included visiting the latest Thai-Cambodian border situation at Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen District, highlighting the sacrifices of soldiers who shed blood to reclaim Thai territory successfully. The team also toured the Iem Ubon cassava factory in Nam Yuen District and examined the ties within the Wang Supakitkosol family. While they are relatives with inseparable cassava business ties, politically they remain separate. Wasawat emphasized that the current government formation has proven Thai Ruam Palang is not connected to the Pheu Thai Party.
When asked whether Thai Ruam Palang still hopes to join the government with Bhumjaithai Party after being pushed to the opposition, "Kungfu Wasawat" responded that this time, small parties will prove they are not waiting for bribes or money. Whether they join the government depends entirely on the ruling parties, especially Bhumjaithai. If the six seats can help the country, they are willing to support. They aim to push for resolving border issues and other matters for the people, stressing they will not negotiate for positions.
"We come from the people and work for them. Whatever happens, don’t see small parties as ones that can be bought with money or just 'banana eaters.' We want to be the first small party to change the stereotype that small parties are only there to ‘eat bananas.’ Remember, I have faced such comments since before, when crossing over and during government formation failures, even when the Progressive Party couldn't form a government. People asked how much money we got, whether it was a lot. Thai Ruam Palang comes from the border people's voices—voices shaped by pain and war hardships. If our six seats come from our people and are quality voices meant to solve problems and strengthen the government to move forward, we welcome that without any conditions," said "Kungfu Wasawat."
Follow the discussion about the monk in the family, who is cited as a political role model, and the strategy that enabled a small party, labeled a local party, to win the election as the sixth largest party with six seats, and even win a parliamentary seat in Surat Thani. The full interview with Kungfu Wasawat Puangpornsi, leader of Thai Ruam Palang Party, is available here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBiccgbFz2Y
Photo: Supaporn Thammaprakorn