Chart Thai Pattana Party Holds its 1st General Meeting of 2026 to Elect New Executive Committee; Kanchana Silpa-archa Appointed as New Party Leader

Today (31 Jan) at 9:30 AM at the Chart Thai Pattana Party's branch office in Mueang Suphan Buri District, Suphan Buri Province, the Chart Thai Pattana Party held its 1st General Meeting of 2026. Former party leader Mr. Thira Wongsamut chaired the meeting. The main agenda item was the election of a new executive committee to replace the outgoing one. Several key party leaders attended the meeting, including party members Mr. Jongchai Thiangtham and Mr. Somchai Sujit.

The meeting resolved to elect a new executive committee of nine members, comprising Ms. Kanchana Silpa-archa as party leader and Mr. Ekkasit Akkarasakkirati as deputy party leader. Mr. Udomsak Srisuthiwat, Secretary-General of the Chart Thai Pattana Party; Mr. Nitiwat Chansawang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chart Thai Pattana Party; Mrs. Puangrat Chaibut, Treasurer of the Chart Thai Pattana Party; Mr. Pisit Phithayathakorncharoen, Registrar of the Chart Thai Pattana Party; and three other members of the party's executive committee, namely Mr. Surachai Thinngern, Mr. Apiwat Buaphan, and Mr. Boonsong Rattanaporn, were present.

Following this, Ms. Kanchana gave a speech expressing her gratitude for being elected as the new executive committee of the Chart Thai Pattana Party. She stated that this dispelled the accusations that the Chart Thai Pattana Party would cease to exist, confirming that the party remains intact. She never imagined that she would eventually return as the leader of the Chart Thai Pattana Party after serving a period and handing over the leadership to Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa. She explained that there were reasons for this turn of events, including Mr. Varawut's resignation as party leader to join the Bhumjaithai Party, along with several former Chart Thai Pattana Party MPs and members.

If you ask why Mr. Varawut and some members had to switch parties, there's a lot of debate and speculation. Some might even be deliberately attacking, creating a narrative that Mr. Varawut abandoned the Chart Thai Pattana Party that his father built. I've actually explained this once before on social media, but I'll explain again: The reason Mr. Varawut and other members of the Chart Thai Pattana Party had to move to a larger party is because, even during the era of former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa, the party had significantly shrunk. For example, in the 2011 election, we only got 15 constituency MPs and 4 party-list MPs, totaling 19, making it a very small party.

Furthermore, for small parties to be effective in politics, it's very difficult. I've heard some people say that voting for small parties is pointless; they can't achieve anything. It's better to vote for larger parties that can accomplish tangible results. And that's true. In the last election, I and the party would like to thank the people of Suphan Buri for consistently electing all of our constituency MPs, as well as other provinces where the number was very small. Suphan Buri is like the party's stronghold, electing all of our constituency MPs. As for the party-list MPs, are you aware that...? Even during the elections held while Mr. Banharn was still alive, the Chart Thai Pattana Party was not the number one party-list candidate in Suphan Buri. Despite Mr. Banharn's immense contributions to Suphan Buri throughout his life, the party failed to win; instead, other parties that had done nothing for the province received the most votes. This was especially true in the 2023 election, where the Chart Thai Pattana Party didn't even come in second but rather third. First place went to the Move Forward Party (now the People's Party), and second to the Pheu Thai Party. Sometimes we wonder why this happened. We dedicated so much to Suphan Buri, yet our party only came in third. Did you know that Mr. Varawut almost failed to get elected? He became a "fractional" MP, the number one candidate on the party list, receiving around 100,000 votes—he nearly failed.

In the February 8, 2026 election, if Mr. Varawut hadn't moved to a larger house, he would have definitely failed. Mr. Varawut and former Chart Thai Pattana Party MPs wanted to work more effectively for the people of Suphan Buri and other provinces, which is why they had to move to a bigger house. "If you stay in your original home, you won't be able to become an MP, and you won't be able to serve your fellow citizens. It's like the life of Mr. Banharn. He was born in Suphan Buri and grew up in Suphan Buri until he was 18. Mr. Banharn loved Suphan Buri so much, but he had to leave it to make a living in Bangkok so he could grow up and then return to develop his hometown.

If Mr. Banharn had claimed to love Suphan Buri but stayed there, he wouldn't have grown up and one day become prime minister to develop his hometown. It's the same with Mr. Varawut. If he didn't move to a bigger party, he wouldn't have the opportunity to serve the people of Suphan Buri and other provinces. We wouldn't have become MPs. Please help me and Mr. Varawut explain this to others so they don't say anymore that Mr. Varawut abandoned the party his father built. Joining a party that is the leading party in the government coalition means having access to various ministries, enabling better coordination with other ministries within the larger party, and facilitating smoother collaboration.

"Don't worry, the Chart Thai Pattana Party is still here. Kanchana is still watching over the party. The party's executive committee is still taking care of it. We're not going anywhere. Our party is still here, regardless of what color shirt we wear, whether it's Varawut or anyone else who has joined a new party." "No matter what color we wear or what party name we use, the spirit of Mr. Banhan, the blood of Mr. Banhan, still flows through Varawut's veins. The legacy passed down hasn't changed with the color of the shirt; it remains full-blooded. Mr. Banhan's blood hasn't diminished; it lives on in Kanjana and Varawut for life," Ms. Kanjana stated.

Ms. Kanjana further emphasized, "Even though we didn't field any candidates for the House of Representatives this election, the Chart Thai Pattana Party still exists, both in Bangkok and Suphan Buri, and with party branches in other provinces. We still have party headquarters and an executive committee. We are still members of the Chart Thai Pattana Party. Even without a political role, we can still contact Mr. Varawut and seek his help if we have any problems or concerns."

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Source of material: official media /online news