Bangkok: Academics point out that the Bhumjaithai Party’s policies encompass four major dimensions, distilled from real-world experience. They emphasize policies to continue current work for national stability, signaling their readiness to contest the 2026 election.

According to Thai News Agency, Assistant Professor Chetha Sapyean, a lecturer at the College of Metropolitan Development, Navamintrathirat Open University, commented on the Bhumjaithai Party’s policy statement, stating that the policies were designed as campaign promises for the 2026 general election. They are structured around four main areas: economy, security, society, and disaster preparedness, reflecting the party’s efforts to present a comprehensive image of readiness. In the economic dimension, the Bhumjaithai Party emphasizes the continuation of the “Half-Price Plus” policy to continuously stimulate consumer spending, aiming for a GDP growth rate of 3% plus, coupled with policies such as a 3 baht electricity rate, promoting the green economy, and pushing for the use of electric motorcycles.

Associate Professor Chetha stated that, regarding security, the party proposes a new concept of establishing 100,000 volunteer soldiers with a starting salary of 12,000 baht and training until they become non-commissioned officers. This should be coupled with strengthening border security, screening for threats, and establishing drug rehabilitation centers in every district. On the social front, the focus is on policies for volunteer nurses with a starting salary of 15,000 baht for new graduates to care for the elderly in the area, creating jobs and income for senior citizens, and upgrading the state welfare card to a “State Welfare Card Plus.”

Assistant Professor Chetha further stated that, regarding disasters, the party proposes the establishment of a disaster relief and recovery fund, along with upgrading the country’s disaster management system to be stronger and more systematic.

Associate Professor Chetha stated that the policies announced by the Bhumjaithai Party are comprehensive and reflect analytical thinking based on real-world experience in governing the country as a leading government official and Prime Minister. He views this as a signal of the “blue party’s” readiness to fully contest the election early next year in at least three ways. Firstly, it demonstrates a willingness to continue as the government to prevent setbacks from frequent changes in government leadership, such as continuing the “Half-Price Plus” policy and the “State Welfare Card Plus” policy. Secondly, it guarantees the continued tenure of outstanding ministers from outside the government, namely Minister Ekniti, Minister Supajee, and Minister Sihasak, to their positions as Deputy Prime Ministers and concurrently holding ministerial roles in their current ministries.

Assistant Professor Chetha said that the second point is to prepare for future changes for the country’s stability, including security, caring for the aging society, and coping with disasters that are likely to become more severe each year.

And thirdly, it involves adhering to realistic policies that align with the Bhumjaithai Party’s “do-it-yourself” identity, rather than unrealistic or fanciful policies. For example, the target of a 3%+ GDP growth and the 3 baht electricity rate policy are achievable considering the current economic structure and energy costs.

However, Assistant Professor Chetha stated that if the Bhumjaithai Party returns to power, there will still be significant challenges to manage, particularly the relatively high budget burden and the risk of inflation from broad-based consumer spending stimulus. But if the cabinet and economic team remain as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has affirmed, he believes they will be able to plan fiscal policies prudently to mitigate the long-term impact on the country’s budget stability.