Thanakorn visited Songkhla to hear concerns about the Sadao border checkpoint, mocking the secret red-green deal to change the prime minister as mathematically flawed. He pointed out that before leaking such news, one should count the number of parliamentary seats first and emphasized that the coalition parties remain firmly united.
On 31 Jul 2026 GMT+7, Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, party-list MP of the Bhumjaithai Party and former Minister of Industry, visited Sadao District, Songkhla Province, to listen to local people’s concerns. He was welcomed by Anukul Pruksanusak, Songkhla MP of Bhumjaithai, and Sastra Sripan from the Prime Minister's Secretariat.
Thanakorn commented on the official opening of the new Sadao border checkpoint by Thailand and Malaysia, calling it an upgrade in transportation. The new checkpoint is located in the expanded area of Sadao District, connecting to the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint in Malaysia. The old checkpoint, serving the Dan Nok community’s economic center on Kanjanavanich Road in Samnak Kham Subdistrict, has operated for over 30 years. The relocation and new opening caused concern among locals and businesses that the old trading area might decline and become deserted. They presented five demands to the government:
1. Maintain operation of the old checkpoint (Dan Nok) alongside the new one, ensuring at least three entry and exit lanes each to preserve the economy of the original Dan Nok community, which should not be cut off.
2. Organize transportation routes clearly by vehicle type: the old checkpoint (Dan Nok) for tourists, private cars, vans, and tour buses accessing the city’s business district; the new checkpoint for cargo vehicles and large trucks only, to reduce traffic congestion and facilitate logistics.
3. Establish a formal memorandum of agreement (MOA) or official government document assuring that the old checkpoint will not be closed in the future, to reassure the local population.
4. The government should jointly stimulate the local economy by signing MOUs with all local operators to collaboratively plan sustainable development and restoration of border tourism in Dan Nok.
5. Install clear and large directional signage throughout the area to guide tourists properly to the old checkpoint and Dan Nok commercial district. Thanakorn said he would bring these issues to the Parliamentary Tourism Commission and relevant agencies for further discussion.
Thanakorn also addressed claims by political activist Taikorn Polsuwan about a secret red-green deal in Monaco to gather support for replacing the prime minister. He dismissed the remarks, saying he does not give weight to Taikorn’s statements. Anyone familiar with politics knows such negotiations would occur via phone or private meetings locally, not overseas. Taikorn often makes vague claims without evidence, which ultimately damages his credibility.
When asked about political factions believing the government is divided, Thanakorn said that under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, the coalition's parliamentary support remains strong. When coalition parties have political disagreements, they discuss issues in the government whip committee (Wiparattaban), covering laws and political matters, where all topics are openly discussed.
“It is normal for coalition parties to have differing political opinions, but they find common ground for the benefit of the people and country. Regarding the secret red-green deal, I see it as nonsense and a math mistake. Those spreading such rumors should first count how many MPs Bhumjaithai has. It's better to spend time on practical actions that benefit the public,” Thanakorn said.
