By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THE PEOPLE’S PARTY today (Aug. 9) registered all 143 MPs of the court-dissolved Move Forward as partisan members and named MP Natthapong Ruengpanyawut leader of the brand-new party.
In an extraordinary party caucus, the People’s majority unanimously resolved to name five members of their executive board including Sarayut Jailuck as secretary-general of the party, MP Nattawut Buaprathum as registrar, MP Chutima Khachapun as treasurer, former MP Picharn Chaowawatanawong as executive official and Natthapong as leader.
Sarayut is known as personally close to the dissolved Future Forward’s former leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
Amidst reported attempts of certain parties to buy out some of the 143 MPs previously attached to the Move Forward in hush-hush fashion, they all have finally registered themselves as partisan members of the People’s. Those MPs were legally bound to join the new party in a 60-day period to maintain their MP status following the highly questionable dissolution of the previous one.
Five other ex-Move Forward MPs have immediately lost their MP status due to the dissolution of the reformist party including former Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat, former Move Forward leader Chaithawat Tulathon and former Move Forward secretary-general Apichart Sirisuntorn.
In a press conference at the People’s headquarters, Natthapong categorically confirmed that the Move Forward’s political ideologies and flagship policies will remain entirely intact and be continually put forward despite Wednesday’s dissolution of the reformist party by the Constitutional Court.
People’s MP Parit Wacharasindhu said those People’s policies include a sustained move toward amendment to the lese majeste law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, at parliament.
Parit said the People’s would not be the only party in the House of Representatives with intent to amend the draconian law and relevant ones to the extent that legal penalties be no longer tantamount to a future dissolution of an accused party, among other purported leniencies.
Natthapong confirmed he will be well-prepared to contest the next general election, speculated in 2027, as a partisan candidate for prime minister though, he said, he might finally give way for somebody else who could be more competent and suitable than him.
The People’s have already been determined to win the next election as the largest elected party with more than half the total 500 MPs to enable themselves to set up a one-party government, according to the People’s leader.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: People’s Party leader Natthapong Ruengpanyawut.
Insert: People’s Party Secretary-General Sarayut Jailuck, right, who is close to the dissolved Future Forward’s former leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, left. All photos: Thai Rath
Also read: All 143 ex-Move Forward MPs to Join new party en masse on Friday
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