This is
a political memoir—a record of my political journey that has never been told
anywhere before.
A story of an obstructed victory on a journey of no backing down. It is
also the tale of a nation whose people are striving to change their own
future.
Over the past year, as I've travelled—whether to Harvard, across Europe, or
in other global arenas—I was often asked, with puzzled expressions: 'What
exactly happened in Thai politics?', 'You won the election, so why are you in
Boston?' And after telling the same story over and over, friends and students
abroad gave me a nickname: 'The Almost Prime Minister'. Because I am the one
chosen by the people, but I never became Prime Minister. I was stuck in
between—between the hopes of millions, and the wall of the deep state that
tightly blocks the public consensus.
This book tells the story from 'Dissolution of Parliament to Dissolution of
the Party'. It's about the day the people decided to choose Change, leading
to a triumph at the ballot box, and the confrontation with 'legal warfare'
and various 'anti-majority mechanisms' that obstructed the will of the
people, ultimately leading to the downfall of the party they trusted. It's a
path filled with tests of faith, proof of commitment to principles, and a
vital lesson in Thai democracy during a time of transition. Though this book
is told from a personal perspective, I affirm that it is far from being just
my story. Because this is the story of all of us—of over 14 million citizens
who ignited a historic spark of hope, hoping to see Thailand move forward in
a better direction, toward a complete democracy, a country where everyone has
a future, with dignity and equal opportunity. I understand well that this journey
may have left many feeling exhausted, disappointed, and full of questions.
But one thing we have never lost is the word 'hope'.
Even though Thai politics remains complex and often seems without a way
out, every smile, every encouragement, and every bit of faith from the people
is the fuel that keeps me—and all of us—moving forward without giving up. So
this book is not just a political memoir, but a testament to the efforts we
made together, a snapshot of a moment when history nearly changed course, and
a reminder that—no matter what the future holds, if we continue to stand
together, the word 'Almost' will be crossed out, and we will reach the finish
line...and change this country together. |
