Kardee instructs 'Minister Luk Thep' to understand that the youth desire to be born; she regrets lost opportunities for the country and jokes about herself being from Pom Prap Sattru Phai District. The Democrat Party's deputy spokesperson points out that true proof is in tangible results, not just creating debts that the country must repay over decades.,
At 11:30 a.m. on 16 July 2026 GMT+7, Ms. Kardee Liao Phairoj, List MP and Deputy Leader of the Democrat Party (DP), gave an interview at the parliament regarding the group of ‘Minister Luk Thep’, who criticized and responded that the Democrat Party only talks and asked what accomplishments it has after 30 years. She said she did not want to argue and clarified that the term 'Luk Thep' was not her own but used by the media. She corrected that the Democrat Party has existed for 80 years, not 30, as 30 years might refer to the ministers' tenure.
She added that Thailand currently needs capable and experienced people to govern. While special ministerial groups want to show their skills and results, many have responded to her comments, and she does not even know some ministers’ surnames and must look them up. However, they can still work together based on the principle of oversight, examining every project without stopping, offering suggestions and recommendations. If there is enough openness, she believes collaboration is possible because Thailand needs highly skilled people amid ongoing crises.
When asked if she thought the current government lacked capability, Ms. Kardee half-joked, “That’s another headline now,” then said many issues frustrate her because there is no vision or long-term planning beyond initial budget decisions. Today’s discussions involve major topics like AI direction, data centers, the 2026 Royal Decree authorizing the Finance Ministry to borrow funds to address energy crisis impacts and facilitate energy transition, or the 400 billion baht borrowing decree. What frustrates her more is the lack of a clear vision for Thailand’s future; decisions have been piecemeal and repeatedly debated, causing missed opportunities. She told the media that she seeks not just experience but deep understanding and, if lacking, the need to bring in experts from relevant professions for information.
“What we must do is develop a shared vision for Thailand. We are moving from 13 to 14 economic development plans, but major decisions have never addressed Thailand’s future role in the digital industry—what kind of player we want to be or what we want to create. For example, the TH-AI Passport project awaits 5 million users, but is that really the right focus? Or should the 1.5 billion baht budget for that project be used to develop better strategies?” she added with irony, “Today I’m in Pom Prap Sattru Phai District—thanks to everyone who brought up these points.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Pasin Pitutecha, Deputy Spokesperson of the Democrat Party, commented on the case of Ms. Nan Boonthida Somchai, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and spokesperson of the Bhumjaithai Party, who disparaged the Democrat Party as 'good at talking only.' He said the Democrat Party remains committed to the Buddhist proverb “Sajjham Ve Amata Waja” – “Truth never dies.” The mudslinging and slander against the party have proven false, while the party's many visible achievements across administrations and prime ministers clearly refute such insults. He did not expect such slander to come from a party alumnus now playing the role of 'Luk Thep,' who muddies her old party but reflects poorly on her current party.
“Party switching is normal in politics if done for the country’s benefit, not for personal gain or political position. Proving oneself by results without trampling the old home or demeaning former colleagues to impress new bosses reflects political decorum and maturity. Using the rhetoric of ‘good at talking only’ is recycled propaganda.”
Mr. Pasin added that fair assessment and facts show many current policies still rely on foundations laid by the Democrat Party, such as managing the global hamburger crisis recession when the DP government turned GDP from -2% to +7%, nationwide double-track railway projects, initiating suburban electric train networks including the Purple and Blue line extensions, and expanding main roads to four lanes—mega projects requiring long-term effort whose benefits continue today. Also free 15-year education, school milk programs, upgrading health stations to Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospitals, initiating elderly allowances, and compensating village health volunteers—social safety net policies still supporting citizens today. Even the origin of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (formerly ICT Ministry) was initiated and legislated by the Democrat Party.
Conversely, the slogan 'Talk and Do' has led to failures and mistakes, forcing society to clean up after reckless policies, notably the stigma of cannabis legalization with past statements like 'People can bring and smoke on their own,' which has become a political taboo. Working three months as Deputy Minister and striving to produce results is commendable, but building national structures lasting decades is the true proof of real work—not merely creating decades of debt that the country must repay, as currently happens. “In the end, whether one is 'Luk Thep' or anyone else, society should judge not by birth or connections but by performance, work methods, and honesty in serving the highest interests of the people.”