Bangkok: Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and prime ministerial candidate, expressed his confidence in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Pathum Thani province amidst intense competition from many political parties. He stated that this election is fiercely contested throughout the country, with no area showing sluggish competition. The Bhumjaithai Party expects victory in every constituency where it has fielded candidates, emphasizing that the party's candidates are close to the people and truly understand the local areas.
According to Thai News Agency, regarding the audio clip allegedly containing a conversation between Mr. Sakda Wichiansilp, Deputy Minister of Interior and Bhumjaithai Party's candidate for Member of Parliament in Kanchanaburi, which alludes to the formation of the government, Mr. Anutin stated that he had listened to the clip but found the content contradictory and could not yet confirm its authenticity. He also mentioned that the remarks implicated him in a confusing manner and therefore requested to wait for Mr. Sakda to clarify the matter himself.
Mr. Anutin stated that such incidents often occur in the final week of campaigning. Therefore, the Bhumjaithai Party must adhere to the principles of "being adaptable, staying calm, and waiting patiently," in line with the party's philosophy.
When asked about the attacks during the last seven days, Mr. Anutin said it was a "week of releasing pent-up anger," but insisted that the Bhumjaithai Party had not been involved in such matters and would continue to focus on communicating its policies without criticizing or belittling other political parties.
"Our immunity is the people. I'm not worried about the votes because I believe the people have access to information and can distinguish between truth and falsehood. The Bhumjaithai Party has been through situations like this before, and ultimately, it was proven to be untrue," said Mr. Anutin.
Regarding legal action, Mr. Anutin stated that if it involves defamation with false information, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but it's not a serious matter because legal action is often taken to serve as a lesson. He emphasized that the party must act like a "golden mountain" (meaning it is a source of strength and integrity).
Regarding the issue of advance voting, Mr. Anutin stated that it is the responsibility of the Election Commission (EC) and he is not worried about the party's votes being lost because the public understands the election process well. He emphasized that the Bhumjaithai Party, with number 37, is clearly recognizable to the public.
When asked about the issues of vote buying and attacks from the opposition, Mr. Anutin said that it is normal in the final stages of an election and is a tactic used by those who think they cannot win. He concluded by addressing the attacks from his Pheu Thai Party's campaign assistants, stating that each party has a different political culture and approach.