Mr Chuan warned such campaigning risks political discrimination and breaches constitutional principles of fairness, reports the Bangkok Post.
Speaking at Democrat headquarters yesterday, Mr Chuan said linking state budgets to electoral choices echoes past political practices that divided the country. He recalled the era of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, noting that attempts to punish southern voters politically backfired when Thaksin’s party failed to win a single MP seat in the region.
Mr Chuan dismissed suggestions that his administration favoured his home province of Trang, arguing that national policies during his tenure were designed to benefit all regions equally. He pointed to initiatives such as elderly allowances and student loan programmes, noting these were implemented nationwide rather than limited to select provinces.
The former premier was taking Mr Phiphat to task for making recent remarks in Trang, saying Mr Phiphat disrespected residents and risked misleading voters into believing Mr Chuan had neglected the area. Mr Phiphat had flown into Trang Airport - a facility developed under his administration - only to criticise the province’s progress while attempting to lure MPs to join the BJT, he said.
He said Mr Phiphat’s approach reflects a business mindset applied to politics, treating budget allocations as investments that must yield returns. “This is not how democracy works,” he said. “Budgets are funded by taxpayers, not personal money, and must be distributed fairly.”
He urged voters in the South, particularly Trang, to be wary of parties that tie development to political loyalty. He invited the public to visit Trang’s City Square and the upgraded airport as proof that his policies spread prosperity across regions without favouritism. “During my time as prime minister, policies were based on the bigger picture, not on favouritism toward any one province,” Mr Chuan said. “Trang was developed just like other provinces, but never at the expense of others. I did not want people to accuse me of using public funds solely for my hometown.”
He said such comments could affect the election atmosphere, warning that portraying development as conditional on political loyalty undermines fairness and public trust. He said comments implying southern voters would receive special budgets and development if they supported a particular party could constitute discrimination against those harbouring different political views, which contradicts Section 27 of the charter. “This type of politics had caused discrimination in the past and should not be repeated,” Mr Chuan said.
The Democrat Party hit the campaign trail in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday, announcing its comeback with headline policies to financially support people in vulnerable groups, including a B65,000 allowance for newborns and a B1,000 monthly old age pension.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva led a party campaign team at Thewada Fresh Market in Si Chon district, in support of Charnwatthana Itsarawattana, its constituency candidate there. Mr Abhisit touted policies, including a progressive rate for old age pensions, which were launched during his tenure as prime minister. He also pitched a B65,000 allowance for newborns. The party is expected to improve its flagship 15-year free education policy to be completely free of charge.