Thai prime minister candidate vows 'war on drugs' during visit to Chiang Mai

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Pheu Thai Party prime ministerial candidate Yodchanan Wongsawat pledged to eradicate illegal drugs within six months and fast-track major infrastructure projects during a campaign rally in his hometown of Chiang Mai.

Speaking to supporters at the Tharn Kaset Central Market, Yodchanan vowed to launch a nationwide crackdown on narcotics immediately if elected. The proposed strategy involves police and local officials conducting village-by-village inspections to identify users for mandatory rehabilitation and vocational training.

Under the plan, those in recovery would be monitored for three to six months to ensure they do not relapse.

Yodchanan also committed to the development of Lanna Airport and a high-speed rail network, calling the projects essential to boosting the region’s tourism industry.

To address Northern Thailand’s seasonal air pollution, the candidate said he would provide resources to help farmers reduce slash-and-burn agricultural practices.

Yodchanan ended the rally by defending a controversial proposal to award 1 million baht to nine people every day. He argued the reward scheme would incentivize more citizens to enter the nation's formal economic system.

Yodchanan Wongsawat’s recent platform reveals a familiar Pheu Thai playbook: a strategic fusion of grassroots populism and capital-intensive infrastructure. By declaring a renewed "war on drugs," Yodchanan is explicitly channeling the hardline legacy of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. While this iron-fist approach historically galvanized Thaksin’s base, it remains a flashpoint for human rights advocates. Reintroducing this rhetoric is a calculated maneuver to consolidate traditional voter loyalty, even as it risks a backlash from civil society groups.

Parallel to these security pledges, the emphasis on the Lanna Airport and high-speed rail projects aims to accelerate economic development in Chiang Mai, the long-standing political fortress of the Shinawatra family. These large-scale infrastructure commitments serve as a tactical anchor to secure the party’s regional hegemony.

Perhaps the most conspicuous populist maneuver is the "nine millionaires a day" lottery proposal. While the party frames this as a tool for financial inclusion—designed to integrate the informal economy into the state system—the optics remain focused on direct wealth distribution. However, the overarching challenge for Yodchanan and Pheu Thai lies in fiscal transparency. Without a credible funding framework, the party may struggle to move beyond rhetoric and satisfy more skeptical, policy-minded voters.