The leader of the Thai People’s Party had dinner with Ram Xali, the representative in Thailand, which scholars said was rare

(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 21st) Nataporn, the leader of Thailand’s largest opposition party and the People’s Party, posted on Facebook today that he had dinner with Representative Ram Xali and his delegation from the representative office last night. Hong Mingqian, a scholar who has long studied Thai politics and Taiwan-Thailand relations, analyzed that it is quite rare for the People's Party to have bilateral interactions with Taiwan representatives and proactively disclose relevant information.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party of Thailand, posted on Facebook today, saying, "I am very happy to have the opportunity to have dinner with the representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, Ram Xia Li, and his delegation."

In the same post, he mentioned that he was heading to Chiang Mai to learn about the border drug problem, and also explained the People's Party's recent investment in flood relief and post-disaster recovery work.

In response to Lam Harlay's invitation to attend the dinner, the representative office in Thailand responded that yesterday the two sides "fully communicated on Taiwan issues that the other party is interested in, and welcome dialogue and exchanges with all walks of life in Thailand who are interested in Taiwan issues."

In the parliamentary election in February this year, the People's Party won 120 seats, second only to the Thai Pride Party (Bhumjaithai) with 192 seats, becoming Thailand's second largest party and the largest opposition party.

Hong Mingqian, a director of the Taiwan-Thailand Exchange Association and a long-term researcher of Thai politics and Taiwan-Thailand relations, posted an analysis on Facebook today. Nataporn did not regard the meeting with Taiwanese representatives as the only content of the post, but mentioned it together with the trip to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Therefore, he believes that the entire post looks more like a general itinerary record.

However, Hong Mingqian pointed out that this is still a very rare public message. He pointed out that "the People's Party's interactions with Taiwan in the past mainly involved participating in some public activities. Such interactions that were mainly bilateral exchanges rarely occurred, and even if they did, they would not be particularly public."

Hong Mingqian analyzed that this shows that the People's Party has a certain determination and is prepared to face possible dissatisfaction from China, but at the same time, it can also be seen that "their friendliness towards Taiwan continues to increase, which is good for the bilateral democratic interaction between Taiwan and Thailand."

He believes that when Prime Minister Anutin continues to adopt a pro-China line, the People's Party, as the largest opposition party, in addition to focusing on supervising China's gray industries, can also adopt a pro-Taiwan and pro-American line to allow voters to choose between different political lines.