Thitsana lashes out at her former party, the People's Party, assessing that they have misplayed their political game and fallen into a follower role, unable to pressure the Bhumjaithai Party. She believes they refuse to co-sign legal action against Khakdong and hints at a possible deal involving 44 MPs. She sees Abhisit as more of the opposition leader.
1 June 2026 GMT+7 Ms. Thitsana Chunhawat, former Bangkok Member of Parliament (MP) from the People's Party. She commented on the overall political situation in the House of Representatives, saying the People's Party (PP) tends to be the follower. Regarding the 400 billion baht loan, they submitted their proposal after Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, had already filed a petition with the Constitutional Court. They were invited to co-sign but refused, claiming the Democrat Party's draft was incomplete. However, to her understanding, the Democrat Party has a very strong legal team, arguably the best in the country, as they have never lost a case when suing others. The statistics bear this out.
"Then you say the Democrat Party's draft is incomplete; that's just playing politics by attacking others, which is not true. They are better than you. Simply put, their party has never been dissolved, while yours has been repeatedly dissolved over media shareholding issues, even though those cases were not difficult. Okay, it might be political harassment, which we must accept, but in terms of thoroughness, you can't beat the Democrat Party. Yet you accuse their draft of being inferior to yours."
Ms. Thitsana continued, It seems that Mr. Abhisit plays more of the opposition leader role despite having only about 20 MPs. Recent polls show Abhisit leading significantly over Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People's Party. However, Mr. Nattapong defended that many members of the People's Party are in the polls, and combined they have higher scores. But don't forget, when voting in the booth, you get only one vote. She thinks this poll analysis may not be accurate.
Regarding constitutional amendments, Ms. Thitsana revealed the situation favors the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT), which will select members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) through an indirect election involving the House of Representatives (MPs) and the Senate. Asked if this is democratic, she said it is somewhat democratic because the indirect election is based on representatives chosen by the people, who then select the CDA. She believes that if the People's Party won a majority, they would not propose 100% direct election for the CDA, but rather have representatives select the CDA, as they hold the largest number of MPs.
"This structure was discussed within the People's Party whether indirect election is good—meaning that we choose the CDA because at that time they were confident of having the majority in parliament after winning the 2023 election. Their draft constitutional amendments mentioned various methods for selecting the CDA, but no final decision was made. Indirect election remains one democratic option."
Ms. Thitsana further explained that indirect election is not about appointing a committee to monopolize one agency, but involves the lower house which is elected. This time, Bhumjaithai won over 190 seats, giving them an undeniable advantage. Minority parties must propose their own drafts, which she agrees with, but if Bhumjaithai's draft is selected, it will favor Bhumjaithai.
"But you must accept the reality, as you thought you could amend the constitution, but I believe Bhumjaithai planned this before the dissolution of parliament, expecting to win the majority. They prepared by transferring civil servants as everyone knows well. Once they got the lower house, they expected the constitutional drafting process to follow their plan."
You say it's the 'Blue Regime' or something, but Bhumjaithai MPs also come from elections, just as you say about the Thaksin regime, yet Thaksin Shinawatra was also elected, regardless of his ideology."
When asked about People's Party members like Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, deputy party leader, who revealed they already knew the constitutional amendment scenario and had contingency plans, and whether they were confident of success, Ms. Thitsana said they always say that. Last time, before voting for Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, they claimed they could control the minority government through no-confidence debates. In the end, it failed as the largest bureaucratic party arranged civil servant transfers and appointed independent organizations including the Election Commission. So, the minority government did not help pressure Bhumjaithai's growth.
Regarding the People's Party's plan, she thinks compromise is necessary; without it, success is difficult because the People's Party no longer has a majority. Their bargaining power is limited. No one will seek their votes this time. Previously, Mr. Anutin needed their votes to become prime minister, but now they do not depend on the People's Party. Whatever they propose will follow the government's predetermined path and cannot pressure them as before.
"It seems the People's Party tries to claim credit for voting for the prime minister to enable constitutional amendments. I'm not saying their approach is wrong; it's correct. But they may have misjudged the situation and failed to pressure Bhumjaithai."
Ms. Thitsana added that currently the People's Party is even pressured by the case of 44 former Move Forward MPs proposing amendments to Criminal Code Section 112. She thinks the People's Party's refusal to co-sign with Pol. Gen. Seripisut Temiyavet, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, in filing a constitutional court case against Khakdong might be related to this 44 MPs case.
Asked if the People's Party's current strategy of MPs fiercely criticizing the government on issues like social security can regain public support in the long term, Ms. Thitsana said it depends on how well the information is received. Social security is good information, but if many fake news attacks occur, credibility declines. For example, in Bangkok, if the People's Party's game is careless, their ratings may fall. Comparing parliamentary oversight, the Democrat Party is much better, having done it for decades. It depends on how effective their scrutiny is compared to the People's Party. Ultimately, public statements need to lead to tangible results.
"You talk about social security, but can you push for legal amendments or ministry announcements? Will the Ministry of Labor cooperate to make it effective? For example, Mr. Julaphan Amornwiwat, Minister of Labor, implemented free dental care—this is constructive politics with tangible results. I think people want to see things like this rather than just talk endlessly, insult for likes and shares, and satisfaction, but ultimately the public gains nothing beyond information. Tangible results that meet people's needs don't happen. It's like they don't know how to work, only talk."
In closing, Ms. Thitsana said that if this continues, the People's Party will be accused of being all talk, as the Democrat Party was before, even though they delivered tangible results in prosecuting offenders.