The People’s Party’s new leader says the country’s efforts to transform the nation wo n’t be hampered by its dissolution.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut was appointed to lead the newly formed People’s Party ( PP ) without much hesitation.
The PP was founded on August 9th, two days after the Constitutional Court ordered the Move Forward Party ( MPP ) to be disbanded and the PP’s executive members from politics for ten years due to its opposition to the monarchy, which it claimed threatened national security.
The 37-year-old was named PP head despite earlier studies suggesting assistant MFP head, Sirikanya Tansakul, may take the helm, as she was n’t banned from participating in politics by the judge.
In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr. Natthaphong claimed that the main obstacle is securing more than half of the House votes in the upcoming vote, which would allow for the formation of a single-party state and the continuation of MFP’s challenge.
RAPID RISE
Mr. Natthaphong attributed his rapid emergence in Thailand’s political scene to the court’s demise of the PP’s former allies, the Future Forward Party ( FFP ) and the MFP.
He started his political career with the FFP in 2019, one year before the Constitutional Court ordered its dissolution due to vote law violations involving donations to political parties.
The computer engineering graduate from Chulalongkorn University insisted that he is the party’s “real leader,” saying that he was instructed to carry out its predecessors ‘ mission in the upcoming elections.
He said if he’s deemed set to be the group’s prime ministerial member in the next elections, he will gladly rise to the challenge.
The key is now how to increase our support center to strengthen our party’s position.
” Even though we came second in last year’s surveys, we may do much in the next election, “he said.
LOCAL Concentrate
Under his leadership, the PP may focused its efforts on local elections, he said, adding the group may join with remote citizens in the same way the FFP and MFP engaged with its young, urban voters.
He claimed that having party representatives represent the party in nearby bodies is critical to extending the party’s hold on, especially in the three years leading up to the federal elections, where local elections are equally important as national polls.
Mr. Natthaphong argued that the fact that the MFP won the most party-list votes in a number of provinces but lost in the district election demonstrated how deeply ingrained the support system is in Thai community.
We can demonstrate to them that policies alone, without reliance on political supporters, can improve quality of life by winning local elections and engaging with people constantly, he said.
He claimed his point will be made by the upcoming provincial administration organization ( PAO ) election in Ratchaburi, which will feature an “old power” group and a candidate from the PP.
S112 correction
When questioned about the group’s place on changing Section 112 of the Criminal Code or the Lese Majority Law, he responded that the party adheres to its tenet that the legislation needs to be revised but that the process and details need to be discussed further.
He claimed that the group’s position on the subject was not a source of concern for complaints, and that it is focused on the bigger picture.
Despite having lost a considerable number of key experts, including Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pita Limjaroenrat, he said the group is n’t quick of competent and qualified individuals.
There are many brilliant young people who are eager to take on leadership positions in the group. Being elected as Members is just a means to an end… a tool to push and implement laws, “he said.
We can make other contributions as people take over our functions after being removed from the MP category.
Mr Natthaphong said the group will be pushing two important issues: constitutional amendments, and a review of public separate organisations ‘ energy, especially the Constitutional Court, to break parties and spacecraft the ethics of politicians.
He urged the government to support bills the party has suggested and that the PP will continue to monitor the Pheu Thai-led government.
However, he said that the political climate would n’t drastically change as a result of Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s election as the leader of Pheu Thai after Srettha Thavisin, whose appointment was approved by the royal court yesterday.