Bangkok: Thammanat Prompao, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has vowed to maintain the authenticity of the Kla Tham Party, likening himself to a “big tree” in the political landscape. He acknowledged that facing attacks is a normal part of political life, asserting that he has encountered worse challenges before.

According to Thai News Agency, Colonel Thammanat, serving as an advisor to the Kla Tham Party, addressed inquiries concerning the party’s swift increase in membership. He affirmed that Kla Tham is a genuine and verifiable entity, distinguishing it from other parties he deemed fake. Thammanat attributed the membership surge to the party’s authentic efforts, commitment to the populace, and widespread support. Notably, the P-Move group recently contributed over 2,000 new members to the party.

The party has established a “war room” to collect information on various issues, with Group Captain Anudit Nakornthap appointed as the strategy chairman. He remarked that it is unnecessary to respond to every issue, allowing the strategy team to focus on its tasks independently. Thammanat also questioned the media’s lack of scrutiny regarding a video clip allegedly attacking him, emphasizing the importance of basing political scrutiny on facts rather than accusations.

In response to inquiries about political attacks, Colonel Thammanat compared himself to a “big tree” that supports many birds and animals-some harmonious and others potentially troublesome. He stated that this is a normal aspect of politics and expressed confidence in handling such situations, drawing on his past experiences. Thammanat clarified that he is not “ready to fight,” but is committed to honestly and thoroughly addressing all allegations against him.