Taeng Refuses to Apologize to Senate Over 'Blue Regime' Remarks, Unfazed by Legal Action

At 1:20 p.m. on May 27, 2025, at Parliament, Nattaphong Ruangpanyawut, Pheu Thai party list MP and party leader, gave an interview regarding the case of Phra Adit Periscanan Nantakul, Prime Minister's Office Minister and Ang Thong MP from Bhumjaithai Party, who responded to remarks about the 'blue regime' as simply creating discourse and division. Nattaphong stated that he views the country's core issues as requiring a strong system of checks and balances. Corruption is linked to people with state power, elites, and minorities in society. The 2017 Constitution has loopholes and gaps, such as the Senate selection process that society has questioned with solid evidence, yet there remains concern about whether the Election Commission will dismiss the case. He attempted to communicate about the 'blue regime' to show that the current governing system in Thailand may not be democratic as claimed, but rather a system where the 'blue regime' or a certain political faction is controlling the country in both political and economic aspects. He believes that ultimately, constitution-making must pass a public referendum. "I want the public to see that the new constitution draft comes from independent organizations, Senate members, and what checks and balances exist. If it conflicts with true democracy, we are ready to campaign for people to reject it in the referendum," Nattaphong said. However, if the parliamentary process and all sectors can successfully push for a new constitution that is well-made, connected to the people, non-monopolistic, and doesn't grant special privileges to any group, with constitutional drafters who have the strongest connection to the people, then we are ready to campaign for its passage. When asked to confirm whether this is not just creating discourse but rather that the 'blue regime' is something society can clearly see, Nattaphong said it depends on whether the public's current feelings align with what he is communicating—whether it matches their own experiences. He noted that the Prime Minister has announced in many forums his readiness to deal decisively with corrupt officials, but what is seen is that private businesses must pay higher shares to the state sector, and corruption indices rise yearly. He urged the public to collectively decide whether his communication aligns with the country's context and facts. Regarding Phra Adit's statement about owing gratitude to the orange party for allowing the blue party to grow this large, Nattaphong said that is clearly a political counter-attack, a statement meant to stab at each other. He said he doesn't want to respond with equally cutting words, but rather invites everyone to think: if we agree that the current system is under a blue political faction, the real solution for the country cannot be elections alone. The true solution requires revising the country's highest rules to create genuine democracy, including drafting a new constitution. The decision to form a minority government under the MOA was made because they wanted to proceed with drafting a new constitution, and at that time, no one could predict what the February 8, 2025 election results would be. However, when the election results came out this way, we must accept the voice of the people and move forward under those election results.