Klatham Party caught in ‘grey money’ storm as Thammanat woos grassroots voters

Despite promising debt aid for millions of farmers and teachers, as well as improved welfare for the poor, the Klatham Party is heading into the February 8 election under a cloud of “grey money” allegations.

Controversial powerbroker Thammanat Prompao, the party’s sole prime ministerial candidate, says Klatham’s policy platform is targeted at landless farmers, water resource management, and welfare benefits for vulnerable groups.

The party also pledges to promote tourism in less popular destinations and harness sport as a force for national development.

‘We are not selling dreams’

“Klatham focuses on policies that can actually be implemented, unlike other parties, which failed to translate their visions into reality when in government. We do only what is truly tangible – we don’t fantasise or sell dreams,” Thammanat told a recent campaign rally.

Officially the party’s chief advisor but widely seen as its de facto leader, Thammanat vowed Klatham would upgrade Sor Por Kor 4-01 land rights granted to poor farmers into full title deeds.

He also promised to restructure debts and reduce interest rates for farmers and other economically vulnerable groups by establishing a “people’s bank” and “central cooperative for teachers”.

“Our goal is to sustain a better quality of life for grassroots people,” he said on the campaign trail early this month. Adopting the slogan “We do more than talk”, Klatham is contesting the election in the No 42 slot.

The fast-growing party has fielded candidates for all 500 MP seats up for grabs – 400 in the constituency election and 100 in the list vote.

Thammanat, who serves as agriculture minister in the caretaker government, is Klatham’s No 1 list candidate, followed by party leader Prof Narumon Pinyosinwat, the acting education minister.

Analysts expect Klatham to vie for fourth place with the Democrat Party in next month’s national vote, behind the frontrunning People’s Party, Bhumjaithai, and Pheu Thai.

Wide menu of policies

Narumon unveiled Klatham’s election policies late last month, covering agriculture, education, water resources, vulnerable groups, tourism, and sports. Responding to allegations that the party is backed by “grey money” from criminal activities, she insisted that Thamanat “is not anybody’s nominee".

On agriculture, Klatham promises to:

– Allocate more land to farmers by converting landholding documents into full title deeds.

– Expand markets for agricultural products and push for state-produced fertiliser at affordable prices.

– Realise a long-overdue plan to establish an “agricultural bank for the people”.

On water, it vows to push for systematic water-management reforms, more waterways, and comprehensive water resource maps for every province.

On education, the party pledges to tackle teachers’ debt and housing problems, improve vocational education to meet labour demand, and use artificial intelligence (AI) to boost education quality.

Klatham also promises improved care for vulnerable groups by increasing allowances for children, people with disabilities, and the elderly, and using digital technology to expand access to assistance.

On tourism, it vows to transform less popular destinations into national attractions, focusing on agricultural tourism as well as arts and culture.

For sports, Klatham pledges to provide support for young athletes across all disciplines, helping them hone their talents and pursue professional careers in their chosen fields.

Shadow of ‘grey money’

Klatham has been overshadowed by allegations linking certain party members to businesses involved in money laundering.

Two major political parties – the Democrat and People’s Party – declared they will not work with Klatham after the election, citing alleged “grey money” links.

Key Klatham figures have branded their accusers hypocrites, hinting they have their own dark secrets.

“They should know that their own parties are not free of ‘grey’ – some of them are even pitch black. I have plenty of information, but I don’t want to talk about it now. Please don’t rely on smear tactics,” Thammanat warned.

Party spokesman Thanakrit Jitraareerat echoed Thammanat’s claims.

“Some parties accuse us of being ‘grey’ when they themselves are pitch black. They say they don’t want to join hands with us, but have they asked if we want to work with them?” he told supporters at a rally in Pathum Thani province.