South Dovani

[Wu Han]

Anong dominates polling as right-wing candidates struggle to consolidate support

7 September 5646

Democratic Hansan presidential candidate Anong Sereevattanakul (CA) continues to hold a commanding lead over her opponents from the Homeland Party (HP), Hanzen Heritage Party (HHP), Strong Nation Party (SNP) and National Union (NU) in the latest BusinessReport poll.

The survey, conducted between 1 and 7 September, found Anong leading with 60.8% of decided voters. She is followed by businessman Phum Kiatpaisan (NU) at 13.4%, Kritsada Narin (HP) at 12.2%, General Yut Phrommanee (SNP) at 9.4%, and Theerat Inchaieur at 3.2%. If the election were held today, the results suggest Anong would secure the presidency in the first round, surpassing President Kob Suchinda’s historic first-ballot victory in 5630 by a wide margin.

Candidates positioned to the political right of Anong have faced difficulty breaking out of the same voter segment, with no single contender emerging as the preferred choice among voters unwilling to support the Civic Alliance and Democratic Hansan candidate. The largest conservative bloc in the country, the United Conservative Front (UCF), reportedly reeling financially and experiencing significant internal conflicts following the death of longtime leader Prasert Thanomchai, has declined to nominate its own candidate, stating that it will endorse "the consensus candidate of the conservative movement" at a later date when such a candidate "is made apparent."

Efforts by the HP and SNP to field a joint candidate reportedly collapsed as the HP refused to nominate a military candidate, arguing that such a choice would send the wrong message to voters at a time when South Dovani continues to experience political instability, nationwide protests, and opposition accusations of democratic backsliding. Meanwhile, the military-aligned SNP insisted on fielding a candidate with a military background, ultimately nominating General Yut Phrommanee. The Homeland Party subsequently held its convention, selecting Kritsada Narin, president of the National Family Enterprise Federation, as its presidential nominee.

Independent businessman Phum Kiatpaisan joined the smaller National Union party to accept its presidential nomination. His campaign has shown the strongest potential for growth among the minor candidates, given that he now leads among the candidates apart from Anong, while the NU received only about 3% of the national vote in the 5643 general election. Phum has attempted to appeal to HP, SNP, and UCF voters, presenting himself as a “moderate conservative” unity candidate in contrast to what he describes as the “left-wing axis” represented by Anong.

Meanwhile, the Hanzen Heritage Party nominated Theerat Inchaieur, a controversial figure associated with the ultranationalist paramilitary movement. Critics have alleged that Theerat maintains links to organized crime networks, including groups connected to the triads. The paramilitary organization which he founded and leads, the United Hansai Blood group, has also been alleged to operate an extortion racket in various Kanchaburi districts in which it has a sizeable presence; Theerat’s campaign has faced backlash over allegations of voter intimidation and vote-buying, particularly in these districts of Kanchaburi. Further controversy followed remarks Theerat made during a campaign rally in Khattaya, where he appeared to endorse violence against Anong:

"If many years ago a man had the opportunity to take out that commie bitch Wasana Chaiyawan, it would have been their patriotic duty to do so," Theerat shouted to a cheering crowd, many of which were young men in the military-style fatigues of his organization. "In this dark moment when our nation is facing the threat of yet another commie bitch, patriots know what must be done!"

The following morning, Theerat attempted to clarify his remarks, stating that “what must be done” referred to “the mobilization of the Hansanese people at the ballot box.” However, the explanation was undermined when he made additional comments later in the day, stating that “communists should be shot for the damage they have done to our nation and our race, and for the damage they have yet to do.”

In response, Anong increased her personal security detail and called on all candidates to publicly condemn Theerat’s comments. The Civic Alliance announced that it would consider filing a case against Theerat under the National Integrity Act, arguing that his remarks constituted conduct that could destabilize social cohesion under Article 12. However, party officials acknowledged uncertainty regarding the legal strength of the case, particularly whether the statute applies to presidential candidates rather than members of the National Assembly. Thus far, only Kritsada Narin (HP) has publicly condemned Theerat’s statements, further denouncing "rhetoric that makes politics dangerous for women like us."

President Kob Suchinda, for his part, has remained neutral in the race and has refrained from making public comments regarding the election of his successor. However, Kob’s wife, Orapan Suchinda, was observed attending a campaign event supporting HP candidate Kritsada Narin, who is reportedly a close family friend of the Suchinda family.

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Inside Head/Heart: The Daenist magazine behind growing national unease

7 September 5646

For the past few years, unusual occurrences at temples and sacred sites throughout South Dovani have drawn intense public attention. These events have dominated headlines and fueled national debate, though no publication has pursued these stories with greater persistence than the lay Daenist monthly Head/Heart.

The magazine has dedicated extensive features to phenomena such as the Srimahabodhi Suriyan controversy and the galvanic corrosion afflicting the Luang Pho Worachetthayan image of the Bodhita. Head/Heart has also published the now-widely circulated “Wheel and Umbrella” monarchist tract authored by the Venerable Somdet Phra Ajaan Hansadhamma Tanthira. Remarkably, in just three years Head/Heart has risen to become the country’s highest-circulation monthly periodical.

Yet despite its influence, relatively little attention has been paid to the publication itself, including its origin, funding, and editorial direction. That absence of scrutiny is striking given the broader consequences of the issues it has spotlighted. The Srimahabodhi Suriyan affair, for example, led to the resignation of environment minister Palat Sudham and coincided with a dramatic 23-point drop in the UNX Composite Index, underscoring the economic ripple effects such religious controversies can produce.

BusinessReport contacted Head/Heart’s office in Rattanakhon seeking clarification regarding its editorial structure and governance. Phone inquiries went unanswered, though in a brief emailed response the magazine described itself as “a non-profit publication dedicated to communicating Daenist wisdom, practice, and thought for the benefit of humanity and the development of Daenism in the modern world.”

Publicly available financial records, however, offer a clearer picture of the organization’s backing. Filings connected to the Head/Heart Foundation indicate that since 5642 it has received approximately $1.5 million annually from the Jantarapong Family Foundation, affiliated with Homeland Party (HP) leader Anawin Jantarapong. Additional contributions have come from foundations linked to several prominent elite families: the Apichari clan, closely associated with Queen Busarakham, consort of King Khemkhaeng; the Tancharoen family of TM Bank (UNX: TMB), and; the Pathawisila family of the Pathawisila Group (UNX: PATH) construction conglomerate.

Requests for comment yielded limited responses. Representatives for the Tancharoen family stated that they “support the Foundation’s mission to promote Daenist wisdom and teachings.” The Apichari charitable foundation noted that it contributes broadly to Daenist temples, publications, schools, and religious initiatives. A statement from Anawin Jantarapong’s secretary emphasized that the Jantarapong Family Foundation backs humanitarian, educational, cultural, and Daenist causes, adding that the family is “grateful to assist Head/Heart, alongside other organizations devoted to uplifting the Dhamma for all mankind.”

Nevertheless, the concentration of funding from formerly aristocratic and elite donors has prompted unease among some observers. Chuachan Visalyaputra, Professor of Political Science at Khattaya University, argues that the ideological leanings of these benefactors cannot be separated from the magazine’s editorial posture.

“I think South Dovanians should be concerned about this seemingly coordinated and astroturfed rise of such an overtly monarchist publication,” Chuachan said. “Head/Heart has signaled support for expanding the Sangha’s role in national life and has pushed arguments for ending the republican order. It is fair to ask whether elite patrons are acting in concert behind the scenes to shape public sentiment toward a restorationist agenda, of which Head/Heart represents just one vehicle, albeit a pretty successful and significant one.”

Business Report (ข่าวธุรกิจ) is a daily business newspaper and online media company headquartered in Setthamani, Udon Nakhon. The organization is ideologically committed to liberal economics, and is targeted at South Dovani's financial industry and business elite.
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