Pheu Thai and People’s Party hit campaign trail as election nears

With only about a month to go before Thailand’s next general election, the leaders of two major political parties were out on the campaign trail today, with Pheu Thai campaigning in Bangkok and the People’s Party in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Yodchanan Wongsawat, a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, led party’s candidates for a morning run in Lumpini Park, using the opportunity to discuss policies related to public parks, health and clean air with other runners and park visitors.

He said Thailand must first focus on reducing health-related expenditure, claiming that almost 10% of GDP is currently linked to health.

Treatment is only the end of the pipeline, he said, stressing that preventative measures, like exercise, can help to reduce disease, with as much as 64% of illnesses believed to be preventable.

Pheu Thai would continue pushing the Clean Air Bill, which is now pending in the Senate, along with related subordinate legislation, if the party returns to government, he said.

Yodchanan, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, also highlighted other policies, including lowering transport costs, improving urban parks, encouraging designated areas for street food vendors and boosting local economic circulation.

He added that Pheu Thai is open to working with any party whose policies are compatible, stressing that Pheu Thai prioritises people’s problems over political alignments. He reiterated that future coalition decisions, including sensitive legal issues, must be guided by party policy frameworks.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader and prime ministerial candidate of the People’s Party, began his campaign early this morning at major markets in Muang district.

He and party candidates later paid respects at the Thao Suranari (Ya Mo) monument, where they were greeted by supporters.

Natthaphong urged voters to cast ballots for both the party-list and constituency candidates from the People’s Party, saying he is seeking the public’s trust to form a “people’s government” to improve the country and raise people’s quality of life.