Phuket Heats Up: 'Coach Sam' Invokes Revered Monk, Challenges Candidates to Swear Against Vote Buying

On February 7, 2026, Chalerm Sangdee, known as 'Coach Sam', a parliamentary candidate from the People's Party in Phuket, challenged candidates from the Bhumjai Thai Party. He attempted to bring a revered monk's statue to have candidates swear an oath against vote buying, but debate organizers prevented the ritual from occurring. Chalerm emphasized that being a member of parliament is about legislative duties like drafting beneficial laws, voting on important agendas, and serving on various committees. He argued against the notion that MPs simply duplicate local government work or just wave at passing cars. He particularly focused on addressing tourism-related issues in Phuket, such as rental car problems and the lack of public transportation. Chalerm proposed drafting a rental car law to limit vehicle engine sizes and require proper licensing for tourists, aiming to reduce accidents and improve road safety.