Phuket in election fever: Jezzad Thonawanik inspires with tradition!

Phuket in election fever: Jezzad Thonawanik inspires with tradition!

On January 24, 2026, Jezzad Thonawanik, the Rak Chat party's prime ministerial candidate (number 35), visited the idyllic island of Phuket to promote his election campaign. Accompanied by a strong team of party colleagues, including Chanin Pinthong, the party director, and several deputy party chiefs, the group performed in traditional “Baba” attire, which is deeply rooted in Phuket culture and the Peranakan community.

Jezzad's campaign strategy focuses on engaging with citizens and tourists in Phuket's Old Town. In particular, Thalang Street and Soi Ramaniy, lined with historic Sino-Portuguese buildings, were chosen as the venue to keep the region's culture alive. In this unique environment, many citizens and traders welcomed the team with open arms and a positive atmosphere.

Cultural roots and tourist vision

The focus of the visit is clearly on preserving cultural identity and promoting cultural tourism, which is of great importance to Phuket's economy. Jezzad Thonawanik emphasized that the integration of “soft power” – i.e. cultural appeal – into the election campaign strategy should serve to position Phuket as a globally sought-after tourist destination without losing sight of the region's valuable traditions. “We have to have a good hand to combine the best of both worlds,” he explained.

The reaction from local residents was overwhelmingly positive, with many taking the opportunity to take selfies with the charismatic team in their traditional costumes. This not only reflects the popularity of the candidates, but also shows the population's deep-rooted interest in their culture and its preservation.

Supporting the local economy

Tourism is one of the pillars that Phuket relies on to strengthen its economy. Jezzad Thonawanik's approach to putting tradition and culture at the center of his election campaign is a sign that the local administration is taking citizens' needs and wishes seriously. Preserving cultural heritage is important not only for the region's identity, but also for its attractiveness as a travel destination.

Overall, this visit showed that the connection between traditional culture and modern tourism is very important in Phuket. With its committed approach, the Rak Chat party could help preserve the island's rich history and cultural roots while focusing on the future of tourism.

For more information about this exciting development in Phuket, read the full reports on Daily News.