Bangkok: Supachai Jaisamut, candidate for Member of Parliament on the Bhumjaithai Party list, has countered Chuan Leekpai's approach, accusing politicians of lacking dedication and depriving the South of opportunities for over 30 years. He called on voters to elect MPs across the province and support major parties poised to form a government to secure the region's future.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Supachai addressed the ongoing discussions about development in the South, highlighting remarks from Mr. Chuan, former leader of the Democrat Party, and Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Bhumjaithai Party's Southern regional commander. Both leaders recognized that the South, despite its potential, has missed out on development opportunities compared to other regions.

Mr. Supachai emphasized the critical role political parties play in driving development. He noted that when the South has representatives in positions of power, they can advocate for change. However, over the past three decades, the lack of dedication from political parties has resulted in missed opportunities.

"The most concerning aspect of Southern Thai politics is how politicians steal opportunities from the people. Instead of utilizing resources for change, they shift their focus elsewhere," Mr. Supachai stated. He urged voters to consider how MPs, ministers, and prime ministers from other regions are genuinely committed to development and work hard in return for the votes they receive. He cited Mr. Pipat's appeal to the Southern electorate to give the Bhumjaithai Party a chance to prove their commitment.

Mr. Supachai provided examples from provinces like Krabi, Satun, and Phatthalung, where the Bhumjaithai Party has ministerial oversight and where local MPs have driven significant changes. He noted that these changes have led to visible and rapid development, attributing this success to the election of MPs from a party committed to regional growth.

He urged voters to approach the upcoming election strategically, cautioning against emotional or impulsive voting. He advised electing a party that aligns with national trends and has the potential to govern effectively. He warned against wasting votes on smaller parties with no realistic chance of forming a government, stressing the importance of making informed choices to avoid further loss of valuable opportunities.