People’s Party to turn the electoral tide

New People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut demanded his party perform much better in the next General Election.

The 37 year old was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight as the new head of the freshly minted People’s Party (PP). This surprise appointment comes hot on the heels of the Constitutional Court’s bombshell decision to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP) and ban 11 of its top brass from politics for a decade over their controversial stance on the monarchy.

Natthaphong’s rise to the PP leadership is nothing short of meteoric, especially given the earlier buzz that Sirikanya Tansakul, MFP’s deputy leader, would take the reins—being unaffected by the court’s ruling.

In a bold declaration, Natthaphong revealed the PP’s main goal: to snag over half of the House seats in the next election. This would pave the way for a single-party government and keep the MFP’s agenda rolling.

His rapid ascent comes as no surprise to those tracking Thailand’s turbulent political scene. Natthaphong’s career kicked off in 2019 with the Future Forward Party (FFP), which was disbanded a year later for alleged election law breaches. With the court’s decisions dismantling the FFP and MFP, Natthaphong’s rise seems almost scripted.

Despite the whirlwind of change, the computer engineering grad from Chulalongkorn University insists he’s ready to lead the PP with the same zeal as its predecessors, aiming to make a splash in the upcoming elections.

General Election

He expressed readiness to be the party’s prime ministerial candidate if deemed suitable in the next polls.

“The challenge now is how to expand our support base to elevate our party’s position. Even though we came first in last year’s poll, we must do better in the next election.”

Under Natthaphong’s leadership, the PP will focus on local politics, aiming to engage rural voters similarly to how the FFP and MFP connected with young, urban voters. He stressed the importance of local elections, noting that having party representatives in local bodies is crucial to expanding the party’s influence, especially in the next three years before national polls.

Natthaphong highlighted the MFP’s success in winning the most party-list votes in several provinces but falling short in constituency voting as evidence of Thailand’s entrenched patronage system.

“By winning local elections and actively engaging with people, we can show them that a better quality of life can be achieved through policies alone, without having to rely on political patrons.”

He pointed to the upcoming provincial administration organisation (PAO) election in Ratchaburi, where a PP candidate will compete against an old power group, as a demonstration of this principle.

Section 112

When questioned about the party’s stance on revising Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law, Natthaphong reiterated the need for revision but acknowledged that the method and details require further discussion. He expressed no concern over potential lawsuits stemming from the party’s position, focusing instead on the broader picture.

Despite losing key advisers such as Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, and Pita Limjaroenrat, Natthaphong asserted that the party remains well-equipped with capable members.

“There are many talented young people ready to step up and take on roles in the party. Being elected as MPs is just a means to an end … a tool to drive and implement policies.

“We can contribute in other ways after being stripped of the MP status while others take over our roles.”

Natthaphong outlined the party’s commitment to pushing two key issues: constitutional amendments and a review of public independent organisations’ power, particularly the Constitutional Court’s authority to dissolve parties and probe politicians’ ethics.

As the opposition leader, he declared that the PP would intensify its scrutiny of the Pheu Thai-led government and urged the government to support bills proposed by the party.

He also expressed doubt that the political landscape would change significantly following the transition from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whose appointment received royal endorsement yesterday, reported Bangkok Post.