Chaiyachana, Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, urges Supphajee to swiftly implement measures to assist southern fruit farmers and find ways to handle the mangosteen harvest season, fearing it will worsen villagers' hardships. He intensifies pressure again: if not targeted for a no-confidence vote, she may still be removed from the Cabinet.
On 13 July 2026 in Songkhla province, Chaiyachana Dechadecho, List MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party overseeing the southern region, said he wanted to address Supphajee Suthammanphun, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, regarding support measures for fruit farmers. As the south enters harvest season, he wants to know what government plans exist to address overproduction. He stressed that solutions should not be reactive but proactive, to avoid farmers suffering from reduced income and increased debt. The Minister of Commerce, overseeing the Department of Internal Trade, should cooperate with Thailand Post and private transport firms and support farmers with fruit packaging boxes to prepare for the season, facilitating transport and marketing to promote fruit distribution in the south.
"I urge the Minister of Commerce to work with the sincerity and dedication of the people. Thank you for saying you will make rice-and-curry cost 40 baht per dish, even though currently rice-and-curry prices are 30 baht. Please look into this because if rice-and-curry is 30 baht now but you say you'll help make it 40 baht, I think your rice-and-curry must be lobster rice-and-curry, which is normally more expensive."
He increases pressure again: if not targeted for a no-confidence vote, she may still be removed from the Cabinet.
When asked whether Supphajee has addressed product price problems effectively, Chaiyachana said he believes she truly lacks knowledge about farmers. For example, during durian season, she told Pimrypie to sell durians at 100 baht each, while durian prices were over 100 baht per kilogram, causing farmers to lose benefits. Regarding shrimp problems, she claimed only 100 tons were affected without fully understanding the issues. Similarly, she has not effectively addressed the falling coconut prices. With the mangosteen season approaching, he asked how she plans to prepare.
When asked about Supphajee's previous statement that she focuses on work rather than social media, Chaiyachana responded, "Is that so?" but acknowledged she has many fans, joking that her supporters might come from the air. He said he would ask Juree Numkaew, MP for Songkhla and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party, to help "send incense" to find Supphajee since many have complained she has been absent from the media for a long time. Regarding whether she will be targeted for a no-confidence debate, he said it depends on her performance; if she avoids a no-confidence vote, she might still be removed from the Cabinet.