Thai Sang Thai Party leader promises to resolve political divisions

Sudarat Keyuraphan, the leader of the Thai Sang Thai (TST) Party, addressed voters in Chiang Rai yesterday, stating that her party is the ideal choice to resolve deeply rooted political divisions. Speaking to an audience of around 3,000 people in the northeastern province, she explained that these rifts have held the nation back for over 17 years and hindered national development.

Keyuraphan assured her audience that the TST Party stands independent and isn’t a proxy for any behind-the-scenes factions or donors. This impartiality puts the party in the ideal position to aid parties on both sides of the political spectrum in abandoning their disagreements and working together.

Reflecting on Thailand’s troubled past, Keyuraphan expressed confidence that the military will have no justification for further coups if political and social rifts are resolved and unity restored. She said that the TST’s policies focus on aiding the “small people” and proposed issuing credit cards with spending limits of 50,000 baht to replace the government welfare card programme.

In a separate development, the Bhumjaithai Party pledged to disabled voters that it would establish a comprehensive policy aimed at improving their livelihoods and enhancing their rights. During a party-sponsored seminar led by Anusaree Tapsuwan, a former social development and human security adviser, the party sought input from attendees with disabilities. This insight will help to fine-tune their plans to create policies that cater to the needs and challenges faced by this group of citizens.

In her address, Tapsuwan emphasised that disabled people deserve the right to live with dignity and pride, even without state assistance. She highlighted the party’s goal to empower disabled people and promote equal opportunities for them.

At the same seminar, the Bhumjaithai Party’s chief adviser, Sora-at Klinprathum, revealed that legal amendments may be necessary to tackle issues facing disabled individuals. He mentioned that the party would suggest amending the law on promoting the development of the quality of life of disabled people to further recognise and protect their rights.

Lastly, the Move Forward Party (MFP) has announced an intensified drive for online campaigning due to a surge in support from recent polls. Natcha Boonchai-insawat, MFP’s deputy secretary-general, credited the party’s online popularity to young people acting independently. The party plans to build on this momentum, converting online shares and likes to actual votes in the upcoming elections.

Boonchai-insawat shared that key party figures might appear in debates less frequently as they will be needed in the provinces to assist party candidates in gathering votes. Additionally, the party will ramp up its campaign against vote-buying, increasing awareness among voters that accepting money from political parties opens the door for corrupt politicians and backers to exploit the country for personal gain.