Category: The Bangkok Post

Gen Z Thais love to spend, yet tight budgets have pushed more than 70% to switch to cheaper brands for food, drinks and general items, according to research by the marketing agency VML Thailand.

The study identified a ‘consumer paradox’ among Thai shoppers, revealing a web of contradictory behaviours and beliefs that cause brands to lose between 35% and 55% of revenue opportunities.

The research is based on VML’s analysis of its global studies such as ‘The Future 100’ and ‘Future Shopper’, a related survey of more than 45,000 global consumers and cross-checking of data from partners such as Kantar and Euromonitor, aiming to decode the complex psychology of modern Thai consumers.

The report found four characteristics reshaping Thailand’s marketing landscape. The first is that despite economic pressures, Gen Z Thais show a strong desire to spend on food, beverages and personal expenses.

However, this desire clashes with a limited capacity to spend, leading more than 70% to seek cheaper brands.

Nearly half of this group also wants to save and invest for the future.

In contrast, Gen X and Baby Boomers, who have better financial standing, focus on saving but are still willing to spend on health products and enjoyable experiences.

Second, people feel the need to disconnect and escape digital overload, yet they are equally driven to reconnect and stay socially engaged.

While more than 90% of Thais are constantly connected to the internet and social media, there is a growing sense of ‘technology fatigue’, noted the study.

Nearly 80% of Thais are considering controlling their data consumption, and 71% report feeling tired of technology. Some 38% of the population have sought real-world activities for better mental health.

However, Thais still view technology as a crucial tool for improving human connections and life opportunities, according to VML.

The third finding is consumers demand authenticity and real value, yet still crave the excitement and allure of the ‘wow’ factor.

Trust is a major issue, with more than 80% of Thais worried about the prevalence of fake news on social media, fuelling demand for authenticity (64%) and trustworthiness (70%) from brands, noted the study.

However, simply being honest is not enough. Some 73% of consumers also want brands to be entertaining, engaging, and create exciting ‘wow’ moments that make them stand out.

Finally, health and wellness are top priorities for Thais and they are willing to pay extra for products in this category. Surprisingly, the younger Gen Z fears ageing the most, viewing appearance maintenance as a critical investment.

Conversely, 90% of Baby Boomers believe ‘age is just a number’, with over half feeling that life can begin anew after 60.

According to Parattajariya Jalayanateja, chief executive of VML Thailand, even when brand awareness is strong, achieving conversion to sales and customer retention can be a challenge.

The study found all industries suffer a 50-75% drop-off rate during the period when consumers move from considering a product to actually purchasing it, resulting in brands losing revenue opportunities by 35-55%.

She said these characteristics can become opportunities for brands that learn to create deep and sustainable connections.

The upcoming 2025 edition of Pet Fair South East Asia, marking the event’s fourth edition, will take place from October 29-31 at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

With a record show floor bringing together 450 exhibitors from over 40 countries and forecasted trade visitors from more than 80 nations, the event will once again serve as a comprehensive B2B hub for the global pet supply chain.

Featuring an exhibitor mix of 75% international and 25% local companies, the show offers one of the most internationally diverse show floors in the global pet industry’s 2025 event calendar. Featured product categories on the 2025 show floor include:

Food and Nutrition (pet food, pet treats, pet food ingredients)

Health and Care (healthcare, hygiene, grooming)

Play and Lifestyle (accessories, apparel, furniture, toys, carriers)

Technology and Sustainability (processing solutions, packaging solutions, smart tech solutions)

Several international country pavilions, developed in close collaboration with strategic private-sector and government partners, have been confirmed for Pet Fair South East Asia 2025. Confirmed country and regional pavilions include: The United States of America, China, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Spain, Canada, Taiwan, and dedicated Thai and Southeast Asia-based Start-Up Pavilions

As the event continues to grow in scale and significance, Pet Fair South East Asia is set to further solidify Bangkok’s position as a key global meeting point for pet industry professionals in 2025.

International Conference Program

In addition to hosting 450 exhibiting companies, Pet Fair South East Asia 2025 will feature a comprehensive conference program with over 40 sessions across two stages, covering a wide range of industry-relevant topics, including Market Trends and Insights, New Product Innovations, Business Strategies and Growth, Regulatory and Compliance Updates, and various other topic areas.

The in-hall conference program is free of charge for all attendees and designed to deliver valuable knowledge and practical takeaways to industry professionals from around the world.

In addition, Pet Fair South East Asia 2025 will host the return of Petfood Forum Asia 2025 – a special one-day technical seminar addressing the latest ingredient solutions, processing techniques, and packaging innovations. Organised by WATT Global Media, the people behind Petfood Forum in Kansas City, North America’s No. 1 event for pet food professionals, Petfood Forum Asia 2025 will take place on October 29 in a private seminar room setting in co-location with the show. Ticket sales and early-bird rates for this special co-located conference are now available under https://www.petfoodforumevents.com/asia/

Special Networking Events

Pet Fair South East Asia 2025 will once again host two special networking events, designed to foster high-level business connections in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

October 29: Evening Networking Event within the Exhibition Hall

October 30: Skybar Rooftop Networking Night – offering stunning skyline views as the industry connects under the stars

New for 2025: For the first time, tickets for the Day 2 Rooftop Networking Event will also be available to show visitors. Previously, access was exclusive to exhibitors. Ticket sales for visitors will open in September.

Combine Business and Leisure in Bangkok

While Pet Fair South East Asia is a key platform for business growth and networking, it also provides the perfect chance to experience the world-renowned charm of Bangkok – consistently ranked among the world’s leading tourism destinations. Many exhibitors and visitors take the opportunity to extend their stay or plan a weekend escape. With its world-class hospitality, culture, and cuisine, Pet Fair South East Asia is not only a business trip but an inspiring experience in every respect.

Young players aged 4-14 are invited to the 4th Royal Cliff Junior Tennis Thailand Championship at Fitz Club, Pattaya, on 8-9 November 2025, with national ranking points on offer, a pre-tournament clinic, and family activities throughout the weekend.

Pattaya will serve up a festival of youth tennis as the Royal Cliff Junior Tennis Thailand Championship returns for its 4th edition-its second staging this year due to popular demand. Hosted at Fitz Club – Racquet, Health and Fitness, the tournament welcomes boys and girls aged 4-14 of every skill level, offering a friendly yet competitive environment to sharpen match craft, meet peers and collect valuable points towards Thailand’s national rankings.

Subhead: Pre-tournament clinic and CEO challenge

On Friday, 7 November from 6pm, certified tennis and fitness coaches will lead a Tennis Clinic and Challenge to help participants warm up and build confidence ahead of match play. A special lucky draw will select 10 kids to face Royal Cliff CEO Vitanart Vathanakul; any challenger who can beat the CEO 10-0 will receive a THB 10,000 cash prize. Places are limited and advance booking is required (details via the clinic registration link).

Subhead: A weekend for the whole family

Beyond the baseline, the championship doubles as a family day out. Expect fun activity booths from Funtasea – Kids Club, recovery and sports massage for players by Vitala, relaxing treatments from Cliff Spa therapists, live food stations, a buffet dinner and live music. Every entrant receives a welcome pack sponsored by Supersports and K-Swiss, with Tecnifibre supplying high-quality competition balls and Carabao providing refreshments.

Subhead: Registration and special rates

Registration is open now until 24 October 2025 at royalcliff.com/rcjt. Special room rates are available for tournament families. For bookings or enquiries, call 038-250-421 ext. 2820-24, email reservations@royalcliff.com, or contact LINE: @RoyalCliff. Early registration is encouraged to avoid disappointment.

Subhead: About Fitz Club

Fitz Club, Royal Cliff’s elite sports centre, is a premier training destination whose hard courts are designed to mirror Australian Open conditions. Renowned ATP names-including Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke and Denis Istomin-have trained here. The venue regularly hosts junior and senior tennis events alongside squash and table-tennis competitions, and now adds new facilities for pickleball, futsal, basketball and badminton, further cementing its status as a hub for both aspiring and recreational athletes.

Partners

This edition is supported by Supersports, K-Swiss, Carabao, Tecnifibre, Vitala and Tennis-10, whose backing helps deliver a professionally run, family-friendly tournament that inspires the next generation of Thai tennis.

The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) has intensified its crackdown on IP infringement, seizing over 2.9 million counterfeit items worth more than 1 billion baht during the first eight months of 2025.

Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of DIP, said the department with the Economic Crime Suppression Division, the Royal Thai Police, and private rights holders, had intensified efforts to combat IP infringement in tourist hotspots and commercial areas.

The campaign aims to protect consumers, safeguard entrepreneurs, and strengthen Thailand’s IP ecosystem, she said.

Operations targeted shopping centres in Pathumwan and warehouses in Samut Sakhon, seizing counterfeit items that have been sold both offline and online.

From January to August this year, authorities handled 863 cases, including 628 cases by the Royal Thai Police (1.65 million items), six by the Department of Special Investigation (922,567 items), and 229 by customs (393,773 items).

Compared to the same period in 2024, cases decreased by 7.6%, while seized items increased by 27.1%, highlighting a focus on major distributors and high-risk storage facilities.

Ms Auramon said tackling IP infringement requires cooperation among government agencies, rights holders, and the public.

Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul announced a “half-cost agricultural drone” scheme to promote smart farming.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Surasak said the program will subsidise drone services to aid farmers in boosting their productivity and reducing chemical exposure.

The programme’s pilot phase will begin in the Central region, with plans to expand nationwide.

He said it will also allow agricultural drone service providers, including SMEs and startups, to participate and grow their businesses.

The drone initiative is part of the new government’s “Quick Win” policies, which Mr Surasak’s ministry plans to implement alongside other measures with the aim of achieving tangible results within four months.

Also among the policies are upskilling and reskilling programmes that will be launched through universities and science parks nationwide as a response to technological disruptions from artificial intelligence.

Mr Surasak said these programmes will focus on market-relevant skills and help unemployed individuals re-enter the workforce or transition into becoming SMEs or startup entrepreneurs.

Funding and business incubation will be provided by agencies like the Technology and Innovation-based Enterprise Development Fund and the National Innovation Agency.

For higher education policies, the ministry has a range of policies, such as subsidising fees for the 2026 Thai University Centre Admission System exams, targeting 730,000 students. The ministry also plans to launch the Green University initiative in support of Thailand’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The armed robbery of a gold shop in Narathiwat’s Sungai Kolok district on Sunday, which netted over 35.6 million baht in gold jewellery, was carried out to fund a southern separatist network, according to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4.

Investigators looking into the heist found two pick-up trucks, which they believe were used by the suspects on Monday. The vehicles were abandoned at a palm plantation in Waeng district.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and forensic officers were deployed to the site to ensure that there were no explosives hidden in the vehicles and to collect fingerprints and DNA evidence.

Police believe the heist involved 19-20 men divided into three groups. The first group of individuals stole the two pickup trucks used in the heist, another raided the gold shop, while a third planted explosives and scattered spiked strips around the shopping centre to prevent being chased.

In total, two bombs were detonated, one damaging a streetlight pole along the Sungai Kolok-Sungai Padi road, while the other caused damage to a railway barrier.

The suspects are believed to have fled along the Sakor-Waeng route to Malaysia, via natural crossings.

Lt Gen Norathip Pounok, commander of the Fourth Army Region and acting director of Isoc Region 4, has ordered heightened security in both urban and rural areas. He also ordered extra patrols along the Thai-Malaysian border.

Security agencies are reviewing CCTV footage and collecting forensic evidence to identify those involved, he said.

Investigators suspect the group has ties to the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), a key rebel movement in Thailand’s deep South.

Officials believe the heist was not only intended to create panic but also to generate funds for rebel activities. Similar cases in the past include coordinated ATM robberies in August and a major gold shop raid in Songkhla in 2019.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed confidence that the situation will be resolved soon.

The old truism that the stock market is not the economy risks underplaying how much today’s powerful investment trends could impact the prosperity and lives of the whole country.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is obviously the megatrend of the moment. Scale is everything, and the US tech giants are driving the spending, while investors are scrambling to get on board an already overcrowded train.

The so-called Magnificent Seven — US tech companies that now make up a record 36% of the S and P 500’s market value — have seen their stock prices more than double over the past two years, after rebounding a whopping 60% from the troughs of this year.

Whether this is a bubble is perhaps the biggest question facing the stock market and the US economy at large.

While the extraordinary capital expenditure on AI over the past year may only represent about 1% of US GDP, its impact on growth has been massive.

Some reckon as much as one-third of the economy’s near 4% annualised expansion over the past two quarters may be accounted for by this digital gold rush. Tariff-related trade distortions have played havoc with GDP calculations this year, but last week’s revisions showed that business spending on intellectual property products grew 15% compared with a 12.8% previous estimate, while firms’ investment in equipment grew at an 8.5% clip instead of the previously reported 7.4%.

That growth may have slowed a bit this quarter, but not much.

What’s more, spending on data centres and infrastructure investment — up fourfold since 2020 — is fuelling construction and wider industrial sector activity to boot.

Growth in consumption, the lion’s share of GDP, is the other main driver of the economy — but that’s also heavily linked to the wealth effects from outsize gains in stock market indexes — clearly amplified by megacaps and two years of AI excitement.

The fundamental organic business growth of the rest of the S and P 500 has essentially just chugged along for the past five years and underperformed other blue-chip companies around the world in the process, as the investment manager GMO recently pointed out.

In short, AI better work — or else.

THE MUSIC’S STILL PLAYING

The AI arms race is unlikely to grind to a halt any time soon.

Echoing former Citi boss Chuck Prince, who famously said, on the eve of the global banking crash in 2007, you have to keep on dancing as long as the music is still playing, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg was quoted last month as saying he would prefer to end up “misspending a couple of hundred billion dollars” than being late to the AI expansion.

Many questions about AI remain unanswered.

Although some studies have questioned the extent to which end usage of generative AI has really done anything for business returns so far, that says little about the technology’s potential to reshape hiring and job roles going forward. And scaling up computing and cloud capabilities will also position many big firms for much wider and potentially more profound changes to come — not least in quantum computing.

If you believe this is the future, with all the seismic impact on labour demand and productivity that adherents forecast, then it’s hard to see disappointment or reversal being a narrow investment event.

If AI is a bubble and it bursts, it will likely reverberate through the real economy — both independently of and through the equity market.

One retort is to look back at the dotcom bubble that burst in 2000. That tech stock mania reversed without the entire economy collapsing — and some of the companies that survived eventually became today’s behemoths.

Interest rate cuts and a housing rebound partly saved the day back then. And it’s conceivable that we could see a repeat this time around in the event of a sudden AI market implosion.

But sceptics certainly see the froth as well as the future in recent events.

Carlyle chief investment strategist Jason Thomas homed in on the eye-popping 36% one-day Oracle stock price surge on Sept 10 as a classic example of a crowded market desperate for any AI opportunity, regardless of the underlying numbers.

Mr Thomas described the Oracle move, which was prompted by news of AI-related cloud contracts with OpenAI and others, as “the rarest of rare events”, with a single-day change in value equal to 85 times the stock’s average daily trading volume.

The near tripling of its stock price over two years, to deliver a market cap that briefly topped a trillion dollars last month, is stunning given Oracle’s other underlying numbers.

Mr Thomas points out that to deliver on the OpenAI deal, Oracle will have to lift its own capital spending by almost $100 billion over the next two years, an annualised growth rate of some 47%, even though its free cash flow has already fallen into negative territory for the first time since 1990.

Hylife Group, led by Mr. Dhanush R. Nair, Co-Group CEO, announced a landmark collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with distinguished international partners. The signatories included the Grenada Investment Development Corporation, represented by Ambassador Dr. Richard A. Nixon, Chairman; K Wave Media, represented by Mr. Pyeungho Choi, Chairman; and Solaire Partners, represented by Mr. Youngjae Lee, Chief Executive Officer. The agreement seeks to advance and promote the creative industry by strengthening human capital development and accelerating the growth of the film sector in the Caribbean. This initiative is designed to foster sustainable progress by building a robust creative network between Asia and the Caribbean.

Mr. Shubhodeep Prasanta Das, Chairman of Hylife Group, remarked ‘This collaboration stands as clear evidence that the creative industry can serve as a true bridge-uniting people, cultures, and economic opportunities across diverse regions. Hylife Group is committed to driving the film and creative media industries forward, empowering them to step onto the global stage with pride, resilience, and sustainability.’

The signing represents a significant milestone in expanding international cooperation and underscores Hylife Group’s role as a leader in connecting global creative networks. The framework of collaboration emphasises people, creative media, and investment as core pillars to empower creators, facilitate cross-continental co-productions, and establish new gateways for Caribbean cinema to access global audiences through solid and sustainable partnerships.

Hylife Group believes that with strong partnerships and a shared vision, this MOU will mark the beginning of a transformative journey that propels the film and creative industries onto the international stage while generating enduring value for both regions.

Leveraging technology, longevity tourism, and a new mindset seeking challenges are key for Thailand to reinvent its economic growth, according to the KBTG Techtopia 2025 seminar.

The country should also focus on “cross-cutting industries” by combining existing industry strengths with new trends, panellists said during the event.

“Thailand’s working-age population shrinks every year, acting as a drag on the economy. This is why our GDP growth is often the slowest rate in the region,” said Santitarn Sathirathai, a member of the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee.

With limited domestic growth, entrepreneurs must seek opportunities outside the country and leverage technology more effectively to enhance productivity, he said.

The trend of globalisation is shifting from export-led growth towards services, such as tourism and emerging digital and service-based sectors, said Mr Santitarn.

As the world is mainly divided into US and China-led blocs, countries outside these blocs are seeking new alliances, making Asean a highly sought-after partner. This has created a strategic opportunity that Thailand must leverage, he said.

FOUR CLASSES

Mr Santitarn said there are four emerging classes in the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) era.

The first class — dubbed “AI landlords” — is the wealthiest, owning core AI models, computing power, and energy. This class earns “rent” from widespread AI use.

The second is “cyborgs” — referring to those who skillfully integrate AI into their work, gaining a competitive edge.

The third class is service professionals, who rely on the irreplaceable human touch in roles such as teaching, nursing, and therapy.

The fourth class refers to the displaced, which is the group facing the highest level of risk, as they are being disrupted by AI or outpaced by those who use it more effectively.

He said Thailand’s labour shortage provides AI with a massive opportunity to assist professionals such as doctors and nurses and boost their productivity.

The nation has the potential to push its people and businesses into the cyborg class, using technology to create new entrepreneurs and opportunities.

LONGEVITY ECONOMY

Mr Santitarn said Thailand should focus on creating a “longevity” economy as Thailand’s ageing society creates immense demand for healthcare and wellness services, areas in which Thailand has a high level of competitiveness.

The longevity economy covers healthy food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and wearable technology.

He advised Thailand to build a mindset that constantly seeks to challenge itself to improve and adapt to a world of constant change.

He said Thais should posses three skill sets which he describes as milk, whisky and water. Milk is knowledge that is useful now but expires quickly. Whisky refers to skills like critical thinking that get better with age and water refers to self-awareness.

Piyachart Isarabhakdee, chief executive of BRANDi and Companies, said Thailand is caught between a fading old economy and an emerging one that has yet to take hold, struggling to regain past GDP growth rates of 5-6%.

However, focusing only on growth overlooks deeper issues such as climate change, debt, and inequality.

The current growth model encourages consumption over creation, fuelling long-term financial instability, Mr Piyachart said.

Future growth must come from “total factor productivity” — innovations and efficiencies that make the entire economy more productive — rather than just adding more labour or infrastructure. AI is poised to be a major driver of this productivity, he said.

A key challenge is as AI and technology lift productivity, wealth may concentrate among tech owners, leaving ordinary people behind.

At the same time, globalisation is shifting as the US turns inwards while China leads new global partnerships, creating an opportunity for Asean, said Mr Piyachart.

CROSS-CUTTING INDUSTRIES

Thailand should also focus on “cross-cutting industries” rather than trying to create entirely new sectors from scratch, he said.

“The key is to combine existing strengths with new trends, such as combining tourism with wellness to create longevity tourism, or integrating technology into agriculture. This means tech is a new infrastructure for growth,” said Mr Piyachart.

AI is ushering in a new technological era, driving global growth even without human input and potentially undermining the value of human thought, he said. To protect human agency, it’s vital to keep authentic intelligence in control.

“AI should be a tool guided by humans — not a force we blindly follow. The key question, according to Mr Piyachart, is: “Will AI be our ideal subordinate, or will we become its obedient followers?”

Ruangroj Poonpol, group chairman of Kasikorn Business – Technology Group, said enhancing productivity alone will not solve Thailand’s labour shortage.

He suggested Thailand extend the retirement age for experienced workers, attract more global talent, increase the female labour force participation rate, and leverage automation and AI to support human-centric approaches.

Mr Ruangroj urged individuals and leaders to adopt the “4 Re” mindset: re-learn by continuously acquiring new knowledge; re-set business models, job roles, and definitions of success; re-form by driving change even when it seems unnecessary; and build resiliency to grow from setbacks.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has welcomed politicians from Nakhon Ratchasima and Khon Kaen, including current and former Pheu Thai MPs, who have declared their intention to join his Bhumjaithai Party ahead of the next general election.

The Bhumjaithai leader was at party headquarters in Bangkok on Tuesday to greet the newcomers, who included Kosol Pattama, a Pheu Thai MP for Nakhon Ratchasima; and Phongsakorn Anannopphorn, a former Pheu Thai MP for Khon Kaen. Also on hand were Thawirat and Tattirat Rattanaset, sons of veteran Nakhon Ratchasima politician Wirat Rattanaset, a former deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party.

Mr Anutin said the prospective new Bhumjaithai members were making the move because of the government’s readiness to dissolve the House within four months from Oct 1, adding that all political parties must begin preparing for an election expected early next year.

Early dissolution of the House is a key element in the agreement Bhumjaithai made with the opposition People’s Party in return for the latter’s support of Mr Anutin as prime minister.

The arrival of the Rattanaset family members is expected to strengthen the party’s political base in Nakhon Ratchasima, but Mr Anutin declined to comment directly, saying only that the party was committed to serving the public interest.

‘We are a party that embraces diversity – from young generation people using technology to seasoned MPs familiar with local communities,’ he said. ‘Our strength lies in accessibility and responsiveness to public needs.’

Asked about the possibility of more defectors joining, Mr Anutin said Bhumjaithai was open to anyone who was genuinely committed to serving the nation and the people regardless of political background.

‘We do not impose rigid qualifications. If someone is ethical, not self-serving, and works for the public, we are happy to welcome them,’ he said.

Bhumjaithai currently has 69 MPs in the House, compared with 140 for Pheu Thai and 142 for the People’s Party. When asked if Bhumjaithai aimed to secure at least 100 seats, or even become the largest in the House after the next election, Mr Anutin deflected again.

The priority, he said, was to support candidates and ensure voters understood the party’s policies. ‘Our door is always open to people trusted by the public and willing to work for them,’ he said.

‘We must choose candidates who understand public service. Our doors are always open to those who believe they can contribute to the country.’

Mr Kosol, younger brother of former Pheu Thai list MP Noppadon Pattama, told reporters that he was uncertain whether other Pheu Thai members would also switch camps.

He added that Mr Noppadon had been approached but was preoccupied with family matters.

The Pheu Thai MP said his decision to align with Bhumjaithai was based on personal comfort and mutual respect.

Mr Noppadon, a former foreign minister and legal adviser to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, announced his resignation as a Pheu Thai list MP last month, citing his commitment to legal and development work.

Mr Anutin also confirmed that more members of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) had expressed interest in joining Bhumjaithai.

Under the terms of its agreement with the People’s Party, Bhumjaithai is supposed to refrain from any attempts to form a majority in the House over the next four months. Some critics say Bhumjaithai risks breaking the agreement by sucking in more MPs.

Mr Anutin shrugged off the criticism, saying, ‘If we can suck in good MPs to serve the people, we are proud of that kind of party.’