Pisarn revealed the names of Trump's close associates that Supachai should lobby. He advised Sihasak to demonstrate his skills by using old allies effectively. Sirikanya urged a review of the Cabinet’s resolution on state welfare card eligibility criteria.
On 8 June 2026, the Popchon Party (PCN) held a meeting. The Shadow Cabinet at the Parliament Building, attended by party leaders including Mr. Natthaphong Rueangpanyawut, Party Leader, Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, Deputy Party Leader, Mr. Pisarn Manawapat, the party's candidate for Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the meeting, Mr. Pisarn gave a statement regarding the U.S. Trade Representative’s investigation of new tariffs, saying he had recommendations for Mrs. Supachai Sutthumpan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce: first, she must have a clear plan and know exactly whom to meet to achieve her objectives. Second, she must understand the power mechanisms in Washington, where everything is centralized under the president. The U.S. Congress is ineffective, and almost all Republican representatives and senators in Trump's Cabinet flatter and try not to upset him. Third, when Mrs. Supachai goes to Washington, she must lobby effectively by meeting people who have access to Trump, since she likely won’t meet Trump himself. She must have bargaining chips. Last month, during her visit, she met the right person—the only appropriate contact; others failed in lobbying efforts. President Donald Trump’s Republican party representatives and senators almost all flatter and try not to upset Trump.
Next time she goes to Washington for lobbying, Mrs. Supachai should arrange meetings with the following individuals: 1. Howard Lutnick, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, a friend of Trump who has access to him. 2. Peter Navarro, former university professor and Trump’s right-hand man in the White House, directly involved in Trump’s tax matters. 3. Scott Bessent, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, whom Mrs. Supachai, as Deputy Prime Minister, should meet. This person plays the most important role in Trump’s economic Cabinet, is influential on tax issues, and is expected to attend the World Bank annual meeting in Thailand this October. The government should prepare a plan to impress him.
"Mrs. Supachai must go to Congress but avoid meeting Democratic representatives and senators. She should preserve Senator Tammy Duckworth and not use her as a routine contact. President Trump does not listen to the Democratic Party. She must meet Republican representatives and senators close to Trump and key committee members handling tax and trade issues to reduce disadvantages in reciprocal trade agreements. I also suggest Mr. Sihasak Puangketkaew, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, demonstrate his political lobbying skills by leveraging old alliances and show Washington’s political circles that the U.S. benefits from this longstanding partnership."
Meanwhile, Ms. Sirikanya gave a statement regarding the criteria for the state welfare card. On 7 June 2025, the Prime Minister instructed a review of the welfare card criteria. However, this morning, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas clarified that the review concerns the fund committee’s criteria, not a Cabinet resolution review. Details indicate that for this tax year, no changes are possible since dependents have already claimed tax deductions. Therefore, parents can still confirm or apply for the new round of welfare cards even if their children have claimed deductions. But for the next tax year, the original Cabinet resolution will apply: if children claim tax deductions, parents will lose welfare card eligibility immediately.
"We believe this is a problematic issue and cannot be considered together. The fact that children are dependents does not mean the parents are not in need. Therefore, we suggest the government review all criteria, including tax deductions for both children and parents, as well as the 10-rai land ownership limit, which is very strict. Some farmers may own more than 10 rai but still live in hardship and need state welfare benefits."
Additionally, Ms. Sirikanya said the 100,000-baht debt limit excludes many small-scale farmers. Regarding vehicle ownership, even if the vehicle has been owned for a long time, has little value, or is unusable, it still disqualifies applicants. These issues present many problems in the current welfare card criteria, so she calls for another Cabinet resolution review.