Warawut joined the 83rd birthday celebration of Jongchai Thiengtham, hailing him as Prime Minister Banharn's trusted ally and forever an uncle to his nephew. Ministers, MPs, and politicians attended in large numbers, while Jongchai expressed gratitude to the Silpa-archa family for their kindness and support throughout.
On 23 Oct 2026, Mr. Warawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, traveled to Thiengtham House, Ban Kluai Subdistrict, Sri Prachan District, Suphanburi Province, to join the 83rd birthday celebration of Mr. Jongchai Thiengtham, former Deputy Minister of Transport and several-term MP for Suphanburi. He was welcomed by Mr. Jongchai, Mrs. Mukda Thiengtham, his wife, Mr. Samerkan Thiengtham, MP for Suphanburi District 4 of the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr. Baramee Thiengtham, mayor of Ban Krang Subdistrict, and the Thiengtham family.
This year's birthday used Jongchai's well-known slogan: “If unsure, tell Jongchai, 23 Oct 69 #EveryLifeIsEqual #ConsultBaramee.” The atmosphere was lively, with many ministers, MPs, politicians, local leaders, officials, and Suphanburi residents attending. Among them were Mr. Siripong Angkasungkiet, Deputy Minister of Transport; Mr. Sorachat Sujit, MP for Suphanburi District 1, Bhumjaithai Party; Mr. Natthawut Prasertsuwan, MP for Suphanburi District 2, Bhumjaithai Party; and Mr. Panuwat Sasomsub, MP for Nakhon Pathom District 3, Bhumjaithai Party.
Also present were former Deputy Speaker of the House Mr. Somsak Prisanantakul; former Uthai Thani MP Mr. Nopadon Plasen; former Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr. Somsak Phurisrisak; Mr. Thanetphon Thanabunyawat, Secretary to the Minister of Industry; Mr. Nopadol Matsri, advisor to the Minister of Industry; Mr. Piriya Chantadilok, Governor of Suphanburi; and Mrs. Monta Chantadilok, wife of the Suphanburi Red Cross president.
Additionally, officials from the Ministry of Industry attended, led by Mr. Phaskorn Chairat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Industry; Mr. Decha Jatuthananan, Chief Inspector; Mr. Settharat Lueadsakul, Inspector; Mr. Pornyos Klankrong, Director-General of the Department of Industrial Works; Mr. Narun Suksaman, Deputy Director of the Industrial Economics Office; Mr. Sumet Tangprasert, Governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand; Mr. Pichit Mitrawong, President of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand; and Mr. Chatri Wetsaransuthi, Deputy Managing Director of the same bank.
Mr. Warawut congratulated Mr. Jongchai, noting that over the years he has observed that Jongchai Thiengtham always stays healthy and cheerful. His children and grandchildren are strong supporters, helping him remain a key commander for Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, the 21st Prime Minister. Warawut recalled knowing Mukda and Jongchai as one of Banharn’s trusted allies from before his political career began. Though Banharn passed away over ten years ago, Warawut expressed joy that elder relatives like Jongchai continue to impart knowledge—since Banharn’s wisdom cannot be passed to just one person but shared among many. Jongchai is among those who received much of Banharn’s teachings. Warawut often seeks Jongchai’s advice and said that every time he visits on 23 Oct, he feels the warmth, faith, and prestige of Jongchai and the Thiengtham family, who remain beloved by people everywhere.
Warawut said he is glad that Suphanburi still has the Thiengtham family as a strong foundation. Importantly, Prime Minister Banharn had Jongchai Thiengtham as a trusted ally and chief commander. Warawut thanked Jongchai for entrusting his beloved son to be his own main commander. Thus, Warawut and Samerkan always go together. As Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul once said, the name Samerkan works every day except on election day. Political life is full of challenges and excitement, but what gives him strength is that whenever he looks back, he sees his brother Samerkan Thiengtham beside him. Whenever he faces problems, he seeks advice and finds Jongchai Thiengtham as a steady guide. This brings peace of mind. Regardless of time or position, Warawut will always call Jongchai “Uncle Jongchai Thiengtham.” The most important position between them is uncle and nephew, an unbreakable bond that lasts forever.
Warawut added that many guests attended, and the event grows livelier each year. He prayed to the sacred spirits of Suphanburi to bless Jongchai and his family with strength, courage, and resources to be pillars and protectors for their descendants and the people of Suphanburi. He will always be a beloved uncle to Warawut every day and forever.
Meanwhile, Jongchai said that apart from blood ties, the Silpa-archa family has been gracious to the Thiengtham family. He owes his existence today to Prime Minister Banharn. Jongchai does not consider himself the top commander; that title belongs to Mr. Somsak Prisanantakul, Mr. Praphat Phothasuthon, MP for Suphanburi District 5, Bhumjaithai Party, and Mr. Nopadol Plasen. He considers himself a more distant top commander. Banharn never scolded him or treated him poorly but always respected him as Minister Jongchai. Banharn was intelligent, knew how to use people, and understood who to assign in the executive branch and parliament. Banharn is a benefactor. Jongchai has often told his children and asked Warawut to look after Samerkan, who may achieve as much as possible, but honesty and gratitude are inherent to the Thiengtham MPs, with no misconduct.
Mr. Warawut also addressed the public at the event about the government’s solar energy program for citizens. He said Bhumjaithai MPs have details and urged coordination with local people, community leaders, subdistrict heads, and village chiefs. This policy is important for Thailand and the government because the more solar power citizens use, the more government expenses decrease. Depending on imported energy costs Thailand tens of billions of baht annually to buy gas and fuels for electricity generation. Switching to natural energy saves costs, increases income, and reduces the trade deficit from energy imports amid changes worldwide, including in the Middle East and the U.S. The more self-reliant Thailand becomes, the better. He asked Bhumjaithai MPs, community leaders, and citizens to spread this policy. The more Thailand uses clean energy, the more the country benefits. MPs are encouraged to contact the public and collect applications at all Provincial Electricity Authority offices in the province.
