The Chartthaipattana Party held its annual general meeting in Suphanburi province. Kanjana emphasized that Warawut is the Minister of Industry and can serve the people more effectively. She reiterated that Chartthaipattana is a senior party to its sister party Bhumjaithai.
At 09:30 on 18 April 2026, the annual general meeting was held at Songphanburi Hotel in Mueang District, Suphanburi province. The Chartthaipattana Party. The second meeting of 2026. Ms. Kanjana Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party (ChTP), presided over the meeting with key party leaders and members attending, including Mr. Jongchai Thiengtham, former minister of multiple ministries; Mr. Teera Wongsamut, party advisor and chairman of the party affairs committee; and Mr. Somchai Sujit, head of the Chartthaipattana branch.
The meeting acknowledged the appointment of the auditor for 2026, reviewed the implementation of projects funded by the Political Party Development Fund in 2025, discussed plans for activities under Section 23 of the Political Party Act B.E. 2560 (2017) for 2026, reviewed projects supported by the fund for 2026, and approved the financial statements and party activity reports for 2025.
Ms. Kanjana said during the meeting, "The election has passed and the government has been formed. Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, former leader of Chartthaipattana who moved to Bhumjaithai Party, has become Minister of Industry, giving him the opportunity to serve the people. It is also pleasing that Mr. Nikorn Jamnong, a longtime former member of our party, has become a party-list MP for Bhumjaithai.
I want to tell the people of Suphanburi that although Mr. Warawut and former MPs moved to Bhumjaithai in the last election, which might have caused misunderstanding and criticism, if they had not moved, Warawut might not even have become an MP, let alone a minister. Opportunities to serve the people would have been limited. Some say one can serve anywhere, but that is just talk. Having a political position offers much greater capacity to serve. Being a minister allows greater care for the people than being an MP. Their move to the larger Bhumjaithai party, which leads the government coalition, enables more effective coordination across ministries."
"Wearing a certain color is not as important as whether wearing it gives the chance to serve the people. If Warawut and former party MPs had stayed with Chartthaipattana wearing pink shirts, they would not have had full capacity to work. Now wearing blue shirts, they have greater ability to work for the people. So for those who criticize, I ask members to explain that former Prime Minister Banharn did not found Chartthaipattana but used it as a platform for development work. Similarly, Warawut joining Bhumjaithai has been respected; when he ran as a party-list MP, senior leaders placed him third on the list and honored all former Chartthaipattana members."
Currently, we face high oil prices due to the war situation where the U.S. and Israel have attacked Iran, affecting global oil prices, not just in Thailand. For example, in Laos, oil prices are twice as high as ours. The government wants the people to understand the real prices and how to adjust. The government is helping vulnerable groups with living costs. We all need to help by adjusting oil use and saving. We got through COVID-19, so we can get through expensive oil too. Although it’s hot now, let's keep calm and I encourage everyone."
At the meeting’s close, Ms. Kanjana said not to focus on shirt colors because in Suphanburi’s District 1, Mr. Sorachad Sujit, MP for Bhumjaithai, is the same person—the son of Mr. Somchai Sujit, head of Chartthaipattana’s branch—continuing to serve the people as before. In District 2, Mr. Nattawut Prasertsuwan, MP for Bhumjaithai, continues to serve the people there, just under a different party color. In District 3, Mr. Nopadol Matsri lost to the Kla Party this time but remains active in party work and will continue fieldwork with hopes to regain the area next time. We have not abandoned the people; residents can still rely on Bhumjaithai MPs."
In District 4, Mr. Samekan Thiengtham, MP for Bhumjaithai and son of Mr. Jongchai Thiengtham, a senior Chartthaipattana leader, continues to manage the area as before. For District 5, no need to worry—Mr. Prapat Phothasuthon, MP for Bhumjaithai, has been with Chartthaipattana since 1975 before Prime Minister Banharn. Thus, all five districts in Suphanburi, even if represented by Bhumjaithai MPs or not directly by Chartthaipattana, are cared for jointly by the sister parties. Chartthaipattana is willing to coordinate the concerns and welfare of the people with MPs and remains an active political party.