Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid 

 

The Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on 24 December 2025 unveiled a major security and border economy policy branded the “national fence”, alongside a proposal to recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers on four-year contracts with a monthly salary of 12,000 baht. The announcement signals the party’s readiness to contest the next general election with a platform focused on security, economic stability and social protection, positioning itself as an experienced governing option.

 

The policy was presented at the Aksra Theatre on the third floor of King Power, with senior party figures and prospective constituency and party-list candidates attending. Anutin described the coming election as one of the most important in Thailand’s history, citing widespread public anxiety over safety, livelihoods, ageing, education access, scams, gambling, drugs, natural disasters and economic uncertainty. He said the only issue Thai people should no longer fear is the loss of national sovereignty.

 

Bhumjaithai framed its proposals against the backdrop of recent crises, arguing that its experience in government across economic management, public health, security, foreign affairs and trade enables it to act quickly and decisively. Anutin stressed that the party is not an untested political force, having navigated pandemics, natural disasters and security threats, and is therefore prepared to govern immediately if elected.

 

Central to the platform is the “national fence” concept, which Anutin said would protect Thailand from a wide range of threats beyond conventional military risks. These include smuggling, illegal imports, agricultural products from neighbouring countries undercutting Thai farmers, undocumented labour, narcotics, scam networks, gambling operations, casinos and grey capital. He said Thailand rejects these activities and requires a strong protective framework to safeguard sovereignty, the economy and citizens’ quality of life.

 

The volunteer soldier scheme would recruit 100,000 people for four-year terms, offering structured military training, vocational skills and pathways to further education. Participants would also have opportunities to sit examinations for promotion to non-commissioned officer ranks and higher positions in the future, creating a professional and voluntary force.

 

Thaitabloid reported that Anutin also outlined a proposed division of responsibilities should Bhumjaithai return to government. Sihasak Phuangketkeow would oversee foreign affairs, Suphachai Sutthampan would manage commerce, trade and industry, and Ekniti Nitithanprapas would be responsible for economic and fiscal policy. Anutin said the party’s mission is to restore public confidence and stability across all aspects of life over the next four years.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Bhumjaithai proposed a “national fence” to address security, economic and social threats at Thailand’s borders.

• The party plans to recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers on four-year contracts with a monthly salary of 12,000 baht.

• Senior party figures were assigned prospective cabinet roles covering foreign affairs, commerce and the economy.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Thaitabloid 2025-12-25

 

Volunteer for 12k. It seems not to be a volunteer. Besides who want to risk to be shot for this poor wage of 12k

39 minutes ago, ikke1959 said:

Volunteer for 12k. It seems not to be a volunteer. Besides who want to risk to be shot for this poor wage of 12k

Sadly, we can't do it, as we don't have a work permit. 🙂 

I bet People's Party are ruing the day they decided to support BJT / Anutin ... 

He's going to build that fence and make Cambodia pay for it.

4 hours ago, hughrection said:

Sadly, we can't do it, as we don't have a work permit. 🙂 

He would make  the dirty foreigner volunteers  wear a mask  as well as jump through work permit hoops 😋

2 hours ago, johng said:

He would make  the dirty foreigner volunteers  wear a mask  as well as jump through work permit hoops 😋

He would let the foreignets check the mines....

Wonder who is going to get the contract to build the fence?

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

Wonder who is going to get the contract to build the fence?

Anutin,is President of Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction , a family owned Business /Company..........any clues.?

12 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Volunteer for 12k. It seems not to be a volunteer. Besides who want to risk to be shot for this poor wage of 12k

An interesting point. Imagine a war in Europe and people in Britain "volunteering" to fight the evil scourge when at home they can be arrested for saying "the wrong thing" online. Fight for democracy. Fight for freedom. Fight for the nation. As for Anutin his priority isn't stopping the conflict. It's geeing up nationalism for votes.  

12 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

I bet People's Party are ruing the day they decided to support BJT / Anutin ... 

No. This was a strategic move. Got PTP out of the way. PTP are history. PP will win the election. Then the CC/EC will come up with some nonsense so they can't form a government. People will take to the streets. Hello coup number  13 or 14 or what ever the number is.

"Put you life on the line for 12K THB a month,"  says a wealthy guy who will never get anywhere near harm's way.  

6 hours ago, John Drake said:

Wonder who is going to get the contract to build the fence?

I wonder what the cost over-runs will look like?  🤔

7 hours ago, connda said:

"Put you life on the line for 12K THB a month,"  says a wealthy guy who will never get anywhere near harm's way.  

 

Very few of them would be putting their lives on the line; plus this seems more like an expansion of the existing Volunteer Defense Corps (https://www.vdch.go.th), which is under the Interior Ministry, rather than a completely new wheeze. 

 

I imagine all these 100,000 new recruits will also be eligible to purchase a discounted firearm under one of the MOI/DOPA welfare schemes. That has the potential to be a nice earner for someone.

 

 

10 hours ago, dinsdale said:

No. This was a strategic move. Got PTP out of the way. PTP are history. PP will win the election. Then the CC/EC will come up with some nonsense so they can't form a government. People will take to the streets. Hello coup number  13 or 14 or what ever the number is.

 

You may be right but I think PP have mis-calculated, big time. PT certainly won't win the election, but they'll win enough seats to remain relevant in terms of a potential coalition partner. I can also see BJT winning the most seats (they've had a fair few defections over the last few months from PT / Democrats etc - likely more will come over as the electioneering heats up).

 

I doubt BJT would get enough seats for a single party administration but hey, this is Thailand, and anything is possible. Playing hardball with Cambodia hasn't hurt their image at all. If they get enough to only need one coalition partner, then the question is whether PP would play ball, if asked.

 

As ever, never a dull moment in Thai politics.

23 hours ago, BKKBike09 said:

I bet People's Party are ruing the day they decided to support BJT / Anutin ... 

When the Peoples party win the next ballot maybe things will change

On 12/25/2025 at 8:09 AM, ikke1959 said:

who want to risk to be shot for this poor wage of 12k

12K  - plus food & a roof over his head - looks like a fortune to a peasant kid with no education, no skills and no prospects. I can see 2 or 3 members of my extended family being interested ... assuming the project ever gets off the ground.

On 12/25/2025 at 4:33 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid 

 

The Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on 24 December 2025 unveiled a major security and border economy policy branded the “national fence”, alongside a proposal to recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers on four-year contracts with a monthly salary of 12,000 baht. The announcement signals the party’s readiness to contest the next general election with a platform focused on security, economic stability and social protection, positioning itself as an experienced governing option.

 

The policy was presented at the Aksra Theatre on the third floor of King Power, with senior party figures and prospective constituency and party-list candidates attending. Anutin described the coming election as one of the most important in Thailand’s history, citing widespread public anxiety over safety, livelihoods, ageing, education access, scams, gambling, drugs, natural disasters and economic uncertainty. He said the only issue Thai people should no longer fear is the loss of national sovereignty.

 

Bhumjaithai framed its proposals against the backdrop of recent crises, arguing that its experience in government across economic management, public health, security, foreign affairs and trade enables it to act quickly and decisively. Anutin stressed that the party is not an untested political force, having navigated pandemics, natural disasters and security threats, and is therefore prepared to govern immediately if elected.

 

Central to the platform is the “national fence” concept, which Anutin said would protect Thailand from a wide range of threats beyond conventional military risks. These include smuggling, illegal imports, agricultural products from neighbouring countries undercutting Thai farmers, undocumented labour, narcotics, scam networks, gambling operations, casinos and grey capital. He said Thailand rejects these activities and requires a strong protective framework to safeguard sovereignty, the economy and citizens’ quality of life.

 

The volunteer soldier scheme would recruit 100,000 people for four-year terms, offering structured military training, vocational skills and pathways to further education. Participants would also have opportunities to sit examinations for promotion to non-commissioned officer ranks and higher positions in the future, creating a professional and voluntary force.

 

Thaitabloid reported that Anutin also outlined a proposed division of responsibilities should Bhumjaithai return to government. Sihasak Phuangketkeow would oversee foreign affairs, Suphachai Sutthampan would manage commerce, trade and industry, and Ekniti Nitithanprapas would be responsible for economic and fiscal policy. Anutin said the party’s mission is to restore public confidence and stability across all aspects of life over the next four years.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Bhumjaithai proposed a “national fence” to address security, economic and social threats at Thailand’s borders.

• The party plans to recruit 100,000 volunteer soldiers on four-year contracts with a monthly salary of 12,000 baht.

• Senior party figures were assigned prospective cabinet roles covering foreign affairs, commerce and the economy.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Thaitabloid 2025-12-25

 

who is paying for them? any idea of cost,pity 360000 are are active personal fighting 43 cambodians ,222,000 more are reservist looking after generals and there chickens and now the next prime minster wants anothe 100,000 !!!

14 hours ago, kickstart said:

Anutin,is President of Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction , a family owned Business /Company..........any clues.?

I heard that Italian-Thai Development and China Railway Number 10 are looking for contracts...

On 12/25/2025 at 9:09 AM, ikke1959 said:

Volunteer for 12k. It seems not to be a volunteer. Besides who want to risk to be shot for this poor wage of 12k

Or blown up by a land mine.

On 12/25/2025 at 8:55 AM, BKKBike09 said:

I bet People's Party are ruing the day they decided to support BJT / Anutin ... 

Don't be fooled by the name the "peoples" party are no different to any of the others,  worse if anything.

12 hours ago, mfd101 said:

12K  - plus food & a roof over his head - looks like a fortune to a peasant kid with no education, no skills and no prospects. I can see 2 or 3 members of my extended family being interested ... assuming the project ever gets off the ground.

can they not just enlist as a regular squaddie ?

12 hours ago, hotchilli said:

When the Peoples party win the next ballot maybe things will change

but not necessarily for the better

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

can they not just enlist as a regular squaddie ?

No doubt, but many young men - ignorant & without skills - require an element of compulsion to get them moving.

Just now, mfd101 said:

No doubt, but many young men - ignorant & without skills - require an element of compulsion to get them moving.

true enough but withdrawing parental support would be a good start, there are gangs of them hanging around , all with the latest phone and riding brand new motorcycles, yet never worked in their lives, spoilt mummy's boys most of them,  Not sure how long they would last, have you ever seen the tears and tantrums from them and their mothers when they pick a red  ball out the bag,  however the do seem to return home as better people after serving their time     discipline ,not a bad thing at all

8 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

but not necessarily for the better

Better than PTP and the Shin dynasty

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Better than PTP and the Shin dynasty

Thaksin at least got poor thai people cheap health insurance. ALL of them are corrupt thieves, but at least Thaksin did a few things for regular people.

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Better than PTP and the Shin dynasty

hopefully the days of the shin dynasty are over, but I'm not holding my breath, 

1 hour ago, captain_shane said:

Thaksin at least got poor thai people cheap health insurance. ALL of them are corrupt thieves, but at least Thaksin did a few things for regular people.

Cheap health insurance rather than lifting them out of poverty...

16 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

hopefully the days of the shin dynasty are over, but I'm not holding my breath, 

As we speak PTP or Thaksin trying to get another family member into the party as leader.