BANGKOK, THAILAND – In the final stretch before the 8 February election, a public clash erupted between opposition party Pheu Thai and ruling Bhumjaithai over nationalism, war fears and leadership style.
Opposition attacks “old tactics” and war warnings
Pheu Thai’s deputy secretary-general Khattiya Sawatdiphol said in a post on X that the widely backed Bhumjaithai Party was losing momentum at the end of the campaign and was therefore again resorting to nationalist themes and fears of war. She described this as an old political tactic whose effect had already faded during the flood crisis in Hat Yai, when the failings of the Bhumjaithai-led government had become evident. Khattiya expressed hope this rhetoric would not be deployed a third time amid concerns over a possible third round of armed clashes between Thailand and Cambodia.
Questioning Anutin’s leadership and campaign style
According to Khattiya, caretaker prime minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul avoided debate stages instead of presenting a clear vision and concrete programmes. She said he was deliberately relying on fear, which in her view raised serious questions about his readiness and qualifications to lead the country. At Bhumjaithai’s first major rally in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park, Anutin delivered a combative speech vowing to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and urging voters to back a cabinet led by his party that would prevent any violation of national territory.
“Patriotic side or unpatriotic side”
The party sharply intensified its nationalist message in the final phase of the campaign after polls indicated a tightening race and shifting voter sentiment on leadership strength. On Thursday, Bhumjaithai deputy leader Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn wrote online:
“Thai politics is clear today: choose the patriotic side or the unpatriotic side.”
said Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Bhumjaithai deputy leader.
Pheu Thai’s Khattiya also targeted serving commerce minister Suphajee Suthumpun, who had stressed in a speech that she was not a politician but had entered public service to serve the country, which Khattiya interpreted as an implicit devaluation of politics as inherently tainted.
Who counts as a politician?
Khattiya argued that by moving from her previous position as hotel manager into a ministerial post, Suphajee Suthumpun had in fact become a politician. She said Suphajee had to ask herself what message her self-portrayal as “not political” sent to the public and to party colleagues. If Suphajee truly looked down on professional politicians or refused to define herself as such, she should reflect on her place in a party shaped by experienced politicians and influential local power brokers, the Pheu Thai official stated.
“Blue party” accused of monopolising patriotism
Pheu Thai campaign aide Nattawut Saikuar, a former leading figure of the Red Shirt movement, accused Bhumjaithai – which he referred to as the “blue party” – of presenting itself as the sole defender of the nation and thereby indirectly defaming other forces.
“If you want to campaign, then talk about how you love the country and what policies you can offer, but do not accuse others of hating the country, because nobody forms a party out of hatred for their own country.”
said Nattawut Saikuar, Pheu Thai campaign aide.
He also criticised a sarcastic remark by Anutin that as prime minister he would not have to listen to any “uncle”, whether at home or abroad, nor to any “daddy”, a comment understood against the backdrop of internal networks and family ties in politics.
Family networks and “teacher” influence
Pheu Thai’s main candidate for prime minister, Yodchanan Wongsawat, is a nephew of jailed party founder Thaksin Shinawatra, whose daughter Paetongtarn lost the premiership last year after a phone call in which she referred to long-time Cambodian leader Hun Sen as “uncle”. Nattawut stressed that Thaksin played no role in the current campaign and added he did not know whether Anutin listened to any “daddy”, but did know that he listened only to his “teacher”. He said even Anutin’s house registration was still listed at the home of this teacher in Khao Kradong, an implicit reference to influential politician Newin Chidchob.
Land dispute shadows Bhumjaithai leadership
The Chidchob family was among several dozen suspects accused of unlawfully using land belonging to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) in Khao Kradong. The Department of Land, which falls under the Interior Ministry headed by Anutin Charnvirakul, had so far taken no steps to revoke land title deeds, even though a court had confirmed the SRT’s ownership rights. The dispute added another layer of scrutiny to Bhumjaithai’s leadership as the campaign centred increasingly on questions of power, influence and the use of fear in Thai politics.