Apparently responding to continuous attacks from political rivals, pro-junta Palang Pracharat party secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong has vowed to fight back.

During a campaign speech on Sunday in Samut Prakan, the former commerce minister said “We will not let anyone destroy the country, or lead the Thai people by the nose.  Today, the Palang Pracharat party is being attacked on daily basis.  From now on, I will not just smile, I will fight you.  If the daily attacks against General Prayut (Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha) are to continue, we ask you who would have restored peace to the country if there had not been General Prayut?”

Accusing the party’s rivals of inciting divisiveness, he said the Palang Pracharat party would lead the country out of political polarization, adding that the party was a melting pot of people who used to be members of other political parties, witnessed massive corruption and were eventually dumped by those parties.

The latest attacks against General Prayut, the Palang Pracharat party’s prime ministerial candidate, have focused on his indecision over joining other PM candidates in political debates, while the party claims that it needs to consult the Election Commission to ensure it is within the law for the incumbent prime minister to participate in the debates.