Nattaphong: Kamnan Mano Protest Reflects 'Blue Dictatorship', Government Power Grab
People's Party leader Nattaphong Ruengpanyawut linked the upcoming Kamnan Mano protest to what he calls a 'blue dictatorship,' accusing the government of monopolizing power while ignoring public woes. He also cautioned that the Bhumjaithai-backed Platform Act could end up controlling and harming Thai platform businesses rather than protecting them.
At Parliament on November 9, 2026, People's Party list MP and leader Nattaphong Ruengpanyawut commented on the planned protest by Kamnan Mano, also known as Mano Khreuakaeo, a leader of the People's Revolution for Protection of the Nation (Natipha). The group intends to maintain a presence at Government House until the no-confidence debate.
Nattaphong urged the public to see the bigger picture, stating that his party has consistently argued the current government does not serve the people's interests, labeling it a 'blue dictatorship' because it seeks to wield power across the executive, legislative, and independent oversight bodies solely to protect its own power and interests. Consequently, he said, many public problems remain unresolved. He emphasized that this is a critical moment when all sectors of society, regardless of past political colors, recognize that as long as this government consolidates all power, Thailand has no way out and people's problems will not be solved.
Asked whether he fears the protest may fizzle out like past movements, Nattaphong said peaceful assembly is a constitutional right. As long as protesters do not break the law or resort to violence, the government must facilitate the gathering. The opposition, he added, will continue its duty to scrutinize the government.
Regarding the widespread use of AI to incite protests and spread fake news online, Nattaphong called it a global issue. He believes well-balanced legislation can address fake news, citing identity verification for online services as an example. Such measures, used in other countries to limit social media's impact on youth, need not restrict freedom of expression or access to information if laws are crafted appropriately with current technology.
However, Nattaphong warned that the government is pushing several laws aimed more at control than at creating balanced checks and protections. He singled out the Platform Act proposed by the Bhumjaithai Party as concerning, arguing its true intent may be to control all platform businesses under the guise of regulation, potentially destroying Thai-owned platform enterprises.
