Defiant Party Leader Warns of "Gray Money" Threat in Election, Challenges Political Critic

Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, the People's Party leader and prime ministerial candidate, gave an interview addressing recent political controversies. He responded to accusations by political activist Chuwit Kamolvisit regarding the qualifications of the party's parliamentary candidates in Phrae province. After consulting with legal advisors, Nattapong stated that there are no issues contradicting the candidate's eligibility. He challenged Chuwit, saying, "If you have information, just reveal it completely instead of making daily accusations." Discussing the election landscape, Nattapong highlighted concerns about "gray money" in politics. He estimated that tens of billions of baht could potentially be used to "buy the country" during this election cycle. He urged Thai citizens to be vigilant, saying, "If you don't want gray money to take over the country, especially parliament, don't vote for those buying votes in your village or community." Regarding potential border conflicts that might disrupt the election, Nattapong emphasized the Election Commission's role in ensuring a transparent and fair election process, even in challenging circumstances. He believes Thailand has not been the source of previous conflicts and hopes the election can proceed smoothly. When challenged with a campaign slogan of "If you don't choose us, we're coming anyway," Nattapong boldly retorted, "If you don't choose us, don't choose the People's Party, then the gray money is definitely coming."