"Teng" leads the People's Party in a major event unveiling mayoral candidate Itthiwat Watthanastatsan, along with a full slate of city council candidates, promoting policies for a Pattaya inclusive to all. Thanathorn highlights the Lamphun model.
On 12 May 2026, the People's Party, led by party leader Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, joined by campaign assistant Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, held a rally to introduce mayoral candidate Itthiwat Watthanastatsan and the People's Party's candidates for Pattaya City Council at the rear plaza of Soho Town, Pattaya Sai 2 Soi 1, Chonburi province.
Natthapong stated he wants everyone to consider that on 28 June 2026, the Pattaya election day, the decision will be whether Pattaya becomes a city of opportunity for everyone or only for some. He noted that today, Pattaya's economy includes a gray market, with outside entrepreneurs taking local jobs and influential figures involved with firearms becoming entangled.
Over the past eight years and three national elections, Pattaya has consistently offered opportunities to the Orange Party. All district MPs from Chonburi representing the Orange Party have had their base in Pattaya. The opportunities granted have been used to push laws benefiting Pattaya residents, such as the Labor Protection Act and ensuring social security funds are used transparently and effectively.
However, one political arena where they have yet to receive an opportunity from Pattaya people is city administration. He is confident that their experience and policies, combined with mayoral candidate Itthiwat and all 24 People's Party council candidates who know Pattaya well, managing an annual budget over 2.4 billion baht, will definitely improve Pattaya.
The People's Party's vision is to make Pattaya truly inclusive. Itthiwat was born and raised here, has experience as a city council member, and understands Pattaya’s budget allocation mechanisms to ensure funds reach the people. Therefore, they believe Itthiwat Watthanastatsan can serve effectively as mayor for all Pattaya residents.
Mayoral candidate Itthiwat of the People's Party said he decided to run after witnessing budget approvals meant to solve city problems, which remain unresolved. This motivated him to run to serve and bring change to Pattaya.
Pattaya looks beautiful in advertisements, but real life for residents differs greatly. Flooding persists, and damaged sidewalks remain unrepaired. These are not coincidences but results of leadership favoring certain groups over all residents. Although Pattaya has a budget exceeding 2.4 billion baht, problems remain due to leadership’s indecision. He believes that with collective cooperation, Pattaya can advance further.
His dream is for Pattaya to listen genuinely to citizens’ problems and collaborate to develop further. Therefore, if Pattaya residents trust them today, the following will happen:
(1) Transparent budgeting: every baht will be immediately traceable to ensure it is used properly.
(2) Expansion of trading spaces for vendors without extortion.
(3) Equitable and widespread tap water access. Residents of Koh Larn, just a few kilometers from Pattaya, pay 70 baht per unit for water delivered by private trucks, while mainland residents pay only 20 baht per unit.
(4) A 24-hour childcare center policy to care for children of parents working night shifts.
These are examples among 37 policies developed from listening to citizens. He runs under the People's Party banner because he shares their belief that Pattaya must be transparent, accountable, and provide equal care. They will elevate Pattaya's administration, solving problems with knowledge. Pattaya will definitely improve. He invites everyone to rise again and fight for a Pattaya for all.
Thanathorn said that aspiring to build a 'Pattaya for everyone' means aiming for a city that ensures good quality of life for residents and impresses visitors enough to make them want to return.
One policy they proudly present is a childcare center open day and night. Since Pattaya is a tourist city with businesses closing at 2 or 3 a.m., they aim to support residents, part of the city’s economic engine, by providing nighttime childcare with assured standards. This was previously implemented by the Progressive Movement in collaboration with the chief of Choeng Thale Subdistrict Administrative Organization in Phuket.
Since the Future Forward Party era, they have prioritized public transport policies, believing that a good city requires state-supported travel options, not forcing private operators or citizens to bear excessive costs. Currently, residents know that songthaews (shared taxis) do not follow set routes. Their plan is to coordinate with operators to establish new routes covering all of Pattaya for convenient travel and to set up standardized bus stops.
These initiatives were implemented by the People's Party at Lamphun Provincial Administrative Organization, creating routes linking the old city, new commercial areas, and industrial zones through key points. This is progress, including designing bus stops reflecting local identity. Procurement is nearly complete, and by Q3 of this year, these routes will operate in Lamphun. They hope to showcase Pattaya’s transit routes within a year elsewhere.
Thanathorn also cited additional policies, such as beautifying Pattaya to be pedestrian-friendly to stimulate sidewalk economies; ensuring equitable and widespread tap water access especially for Koh Larn residents; revitalizing Pattaya’s 50+ rai youth center, currently abandoned, into a multi-age shared space; and healthcare policies like TeleHealth, enabling community health volunteers to monitor vital signs and relay data via cloud systems for doctors to review remotely, eliminating patient travel. This represents the future of primary healthcare services.
Additionally, under the People's Party, Pattaya will invest in sports facilities providing ample free access for local sports. For example, Lamphun will gift its first sports stadium to Li District by year-end, previously lacking such facilities. They also plan to develop local districts by maximizing unique identities, like Lamphun’s renowned Don Luang cotton fabric, which hosts an annual event generating 40 million baht in sales. Since the People's Party’s provincial chief took office, community involvement and promotion have increased, doubling sales to 80 million baht this year.
Another Lamphun example involves an industrial park, especially advanced electronics, which lacked integration with schools and communities. They organized Lamphun Tech Week to showcase modern technology and Lamphun Film Week to provide creative space for filmmakers and artists. These events leverage local potential. They also launched "Pay Lamphun," with mascot "Nong Khantok," combining a traditional rice tray and digital token. After 3-4 months, this digital currency has generated over 5 million baht in revenue for more than 400 small shops in Lamphun.
Lastly, regarding transparency, Pattaya's annual budget exceeds 2.4 billion baht, totaling nearly 10 billion over four years. If the mayor comes from the People's Party, residents will have full transparency over budget usage, procurement, and contractors, all accessible on a website for easy public scrutiny. Any irregularities will be monitored collectively. This policy made Lamphun the most cost-efficient provincial administration in Thailand, purchasing goods at prices 26.7% below market rates, compared to Buriram at 0.9% and Bangkok at 2.6%. This exemplifies tangible transparency, and these policies are available on the website pattayaall.net.Website: pattayaall.net
Thanathorn concluded that if the People's Party wins, the mayor and city council will not work alone. The party will assist in driving Pattaya’s progress. Pattaya’s future depends on everyone’s decision. Join us to build a better Pattaya together.