Analyzing the Suphanburi upset: a young newcomer defeats the established MP of the big local family, sparking rumors of cracks within Bhumjaithai and Kla Tham possibly refusing to join the government coalition?
Following the 2026 election, the Bhumjaithai Party achieved a landslide victory, securing more than 193 parliamentary seats and moving forward to decide which party to ally with in government formation amid rumors that the coalition formula might be “Blue-Red” replacing “Green” which had previously partnered before the election, due to dissatisfaction over candidate nominations contesting in “Suphanburi” resulting in the prominent local faction in Suphanburi, which switched from pink to blue this time, losing in district 3.
What happened in Suphanburi district 3? Who is the new champion candidate, and how did they manage to topple the incumbent? Thairath Online Special Reporting Team takes you to find the answers.
The incumbent champion and local figure for Suphanburi district 3, covering U Thong district and Song Phi Nong district (specifically Thung Khok, Bo Suphan, Nong Bo subdistricts) is Mr. Noppadol Matsee, a former MP for four terms (district 3 three terms and party-list one term). In the 2026 election, his key opponent was Mr. Nattachart Wongprasert, also known as Councillor Stamp, who ran under the Kla Tham Party.
Mr. Nattachart is the son of Mr. Kitcha Wongprasert, a long-serving councillor in U Thong district for nearly 20 years, who has strong ties with the local community. He passed the baton to his son Nattachart, who was elected councillor in 2020. Mr. Kitcha ran for MP under the Democrat Party in the 2023 election but lost to Mr. Noppadol by about 6,000 votes.
In this election, Mr. Nattachart ran under Kla Tham Party, and reports indicate he was supported by “Sia Tor” Chalermchai Sri-on, a former Democrat Party leader who joined Kla Tham and helped Mr. Nattachart avenge his father's defeat by beating Mr. Noppadol. According to the latest count, 94% completed at 15:51 on 9 Feb 2026, Mr. Nattachart won with 45,000 votes against 38,000.
Thairath Online's special team spoke with local sources who revealed that in Suphanburi district 3, Mr. Noppadol’s stronghold is in northern U Thong district bordering district 4, Don Chedi, while Mr. Nattachart inherited his father's base mainly in the southern part of U Thong.
Taking over from his father, Mr. Nattachart actively worked in the community, gaining more trust and popularity than his father due to being a young, energetic, and down-to-earth person, with a pleasant appearance and manner, unlike his father, who was somewhat more stern.
“He has many supporters, attends every local event, is down-to-earth and more likable than his father, which endears him to the locals. Also, the southern U Thong area has a denser population.”
Regarding rumors that Kla Tham betrayed Bhumjaithai in this district, it is said that Mr. Nattachart declared his candidacy early, confident in his chances of winning and refused to step down. This contrasts with other districts where negotiations were possible, such as the case of Mr. Boonchu Jansuwan, former four-term Suphanburi Provincial Administrative Organization president, who ran for MP in Suphanburi district 1 under Kla Tham but later withdrew citing health issues.
Nevertheless, although this caused some friction, sources believe the rift may not be significant enough to prevent the blue and green parties from joining forces to form the government.
At 10:10 today (10 Feb 2026), Lieutenant Colonel Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, serving as chairman advisor of Kla Tham and incoming party-list MP, was asked about rumors that Bhumjaithai would ditch Kla Tham and exclude them from the government coalition. He said, “Rumors are just rumors. It’s too early to talk about government formation.” When asked if he remained confident in his relationship with Anutin, he replied, “Is there any reason for us to be at odds? Why would there be any conflict?”
Regarding Kla Tham’s breakthrough in Suphanburi and whether it would cause friction with Bhumjaithai, Lt. Col. Thammanat said, “We discussed this before the election. Some members who came from Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, former Democrat Party leader, joined Kla Tham. We cannot prohibit this; we have to let it be, just like in Phetchabun and Narathiwat provinces, where we have talked and there are no issues.” (Read full story:)“Thammanat” ignores rumors of Bhumjaithai abandoning Kla Tham, says no talks yet with “Anutin” on government formation)
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