Party founded by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has grabbed headlines, but can it make a lasting impression?
It is rare, under Thailand’s oppressive military regime, for political feathers to be publicly ruffled. Campaigning is banned and dissidents and activists are regularly thrown in jail. But Thai newspapers were abuzz last week with talk of democracy and political accountability thanks mainly to one man, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
Charismatic and wealthy, Thanathorn is the co-founder of Future Forward, which was formed in March after the electoral commission allowed new parties to register for the first time in five years, with a view to a possible election in 2019.
Others parties also sprang up in March but few have had the immediate impact of Future Forward, with its progressive agenda and billionaire auto tycoon at the helm. In fact, the party captured so much public attention that the ruling military junta quickly pressed the electoral commission to void its registration.
Thanathorn, 39, who has drawn comparison to the French president, Emmanuel Macron, said the decision to step aside from the business world and commit himself full-time to politics in such an oppressive climate was one he had not taken lightly.
“I know that by starting this party, it seriously means I might go to jail tomorrow,” he said. “But there’s no other way we can make a positive change in this country until there is a new political party of the people.”
Thailand has been run by the army since Prayuth Chan-ocha, a general, seized power in bloodless coup in 2014. Prayuth’s junta enjoyed considerable public support when it took power, but criticism of its often repressive policies and lack of transparency has grown. Prayuth has promised elections next year, though he has made similar promises several times previously and then delayed the balloting.
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