2026 Election Weekly Briefing (Dec 19)
Chart Pattana declines to contest election, Foreign Minister Sihasak to Bhumjaithai reports, and more
The general election has been scheduled for February 8th, 2026. Since I’m already trying my best to keep track of the latest events on the campaign trail, I’ve decided to put together my notes in a weekly series of news roundups that will (hopefully) be published until the general election. Here is the first iteration!
Pheu Thai unveils candidates for prime minister
Pheu Thai announced three candidates for prime minister: Yodchanan Wongsawat, Suriya Juangroongrueangkit, and Julapun Amornvivat. Yodchanan, a biomedical engineering professor who is also former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s nephew, is the lead candidate who Pheu Thai has confirmed will be first in line to be prime minister if they win the election. Click here to read my analysis of this announcement.
Chart Pattana declares they will not field candidates at this general election
Suwat Liptapallop, chairman of the Chart Pattana Party, announced on December 18 that the party will not be fielding any candidates at the general election. Founded by former prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan, the party peaked in the early 1990s. It joins Chart Thai Pattana as one of the “localist” 20th-century parties that has decided that they could no longer compete in this increasingly nationalized environment. Perhaps they did not have much of a choice. The party has been on a long downward trajectory, reaching a nadir in 2023 when they failed to win any constituency seats in their stronghold of Nakhon Ratchasima. Their only candidate to win a constituency nationwide in Nakhon Sawan had earlier switched to Bhumjaithai. Suwat has said that party members are free to join another party as they wish, but current news reports suggest that Chart Pattana’s main candidates in Nakhon Ratchasima plan to join Pheu Thai (party leader Julaphan is certainly quite keen), This could boost Pheu Thai’s chances at winning three more seats in Nakhon Ratchasima, where Chart Pattana placed in second place. As for Suwat himself, he will remain with the party as it switches its focus to local politics (Chart Pattana won a mayoralty earlier this year).
Foreign Minister Sihasak joining Bhumjaithai?
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow was seen at Bhumjaithai Party headquarters to take a headshot, leading to speculation that he could run for MP in the Bhumjaithai party list or even as a candidate for prime minister. Sihasak was mum on his plans, and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also did not directly answer reporters’ questions on this matter. It would not be entirely surprising if Sihasak does run in some capacity; Anutin has made very clear that he wants the technocrats that he has put in his cabinet to become key players in his election campaign. Sihasak, a former permanent secretary at the foreign ministry, has been praised for his diplomatic work during the Thai-Cambodia conflict. We still don’t know if Finance Minister Eknitithanprapas will accept Bhumjaithai’s offer of a PM candidacy, while Commerce Minister Supajee Suthumpun says she is still thinking carefully and discussing the decision with her family. It looks likely, however, that the Bhumjaithai slate will feature at least one of these three technocrats, which would help boost the party’s popularity.
The People’s Party shows off picks for deputy prime minister
In a political innovation, the People’s Party announced a slate of deputy prime ministers: former MP Phicharn Chaowatanapong for national security, party think tank leader Decharat Sukkumnoed for quality of life, Veerayooth Kanchoochat for the economy, and Sirikanya Tansakun for bureaucratic reform. (The latter two are also the party’s second and third candidates for prime minister, behind leader Natthaphong Rueangpanyawut). I do not recall a party announcing before an election who they would pick for deputy prime minister if elected, but this appears to keep with an earlier pledge that the party would announce its cabinet lineup ahead of the election.
Other news
After seeking clarification from the Electoral Commission, the government confirmed that the “second phase” of the “Khon La Khrueng” giveaway scheme will not proceed due to limitations on the power of an acting government.
There appears to be some discord within the People’s Party over candidate selection, with some incumbent MPs denied permission to run for re-election. Combined with some incumbents retiring, ten constituencies in Bangkok will see new PP candidates running.
A group of former Democrat MPs affiliated with the party’s former leader Chalermchai Sri-orn, formally joined the Kla Tham Party on Tuesday. Kla Tham leader Naruemon Pinyosinwat also confirmed that Captain Thammanat Promphao will be the party’s nominee for prime minister, declining to say whether the party will nominate a full slate of three candidates.
The Democrat Party announced its slate of Bangkok candidates. The party hopes to win ten seats in the capital (despite being a historical stronghold, the party has not won any seats in Bangkok in the past two elections). Meanwhile, former United Thai Nation secretary-general Akanat Promphan also made official his entry into Bhumjaithai, where he will help lead the party’s Bangkok campaign. The party has never won a seat in Bangkok but Akanat hopes that this will change.
With the dissolution of parliament last week, Thailand has now shifted into full election mode. My plan is to post a little more frequently during the campaign to highlight notable news as we move closer and closer to the election. If you’d like to read my election analysis, a subscription to The Coffee Parliament is currently completely free.