Proud Thais Party
Encyclopedia
Bhumjaithai Party ' onMouseout='HidePop("64455")' href="/topics/Constitutional_Court_of_Thailand">Constitutional Court of Thailand
ruling which dissolved its "de facto predecessor", Neutral Democratic Party
, along with the People's Power Party
(PPP), and Thai Nation Party.
After the dissolutions, former members of the Neutral Democratic Party
and former members of the PPP faction, the Friends of Newin Group defected to this party.
On December 15, 2008, the party endorsed the Democrat Party
, in forming a six-party coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
. The party's "de facto" leader and power broker behind joining the Democrat-led coalition is Newin Chidchob. Due to his role as an executive of the PPP predecessor party, the Thai Rak Thai
party which was dissolved in 2007, he became ineligible to be a party member for 5 years. It is alleged that Army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, coerced the MPs of the Friends of Newin Group faction in the PPP to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition. This secured enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elected Prime Minister. Bhumjaithai was the second largest coalition partner in the Abhisit government
, supplying the ministers of Transport, Commerce
, and Interior
(Chaovarat Chanweerakul
), and four deputy ministers.
For the general election on 3 July 2011, Bhumjaithai forged an alliance with fellow coalition partner Chartthaipattana Party. The party aimed at winning as many as 111 seats in the new parliament. During the campaign, a main BJT canvasser, Suban Chiraphanwanit, was shot dead. Eventually, BJT won 34 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, which observers have interpreted as very disappointing for Bhumjaithai. Subsequently, the party's Matchima
-faction, led by Somsak Thepsuthin, tried to join the Pheu-Thai-led coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Yingluck Shinawatra
, despite the party's firmly outruling cooperation with Pheu Thai before the elections. However, Pheu Thai Party rejected a possible government participation of BJT members.
Bhumjaithai has a populist
platform, since some of the platform was drawn from Thaksin's
populist
Thai Rak Thai
party, and the People's Power Party
.
Constitutional Court of Thailand
The Constitutional Court of Thailand is an independent Thai court originally established under the 1997 Constitution with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding...
ruling which dissolved its "de facto predecessor", Neutral Democratic Party
Neutral Democratic Party
The Neutral Democratic Party was a Thai political party founded in 2006 by Somsak Thepsuthin, a former Thai Rak Thai party Cabinet Minister...
, along with the People's Power Party
People's Power Party (Thailand)
The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng...
(PPP), and Thai Nation Party.
After the dissolutions, former members of the Neutral Democratic Party
Neutral Democratic Party
The Neutral Democratic Party was a Thai political party founded in 2006 by Somsak Thepsuthin, a former Thai Rak Thai party Cabinet Minister...
and former members of the PPP faction, the Friends of Newin Group defected to this party.
On December 15, 2008, the party endorsed the Democrat Party
Democrat Party (Thailand)
The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
, in forming a six-party coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
. The party's "de facto" leader and power broker behind joining the Democrat-led coalition is Newin Chidchob. Due to his role as an executive of the PPP predecessor party, the Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party which was dissolved in 2007, he became ineligible to be a party member for 5 years. It is alleged that Army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, coerced the MPs of the Friends of Newin Group faction in the PPP to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition. This secured enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elected Prime Minister. Bhumjaithai was the second largest coalition partner in the Abhisit government
Abhisit cabinet
The Abhisit Cabinet was announced after the appointment of Abhisit Vejjajiva as Prime Minister of Thailand on the 17 December 2008. The Cabinet line-up itself was announced on the 20 December, to the news media. The Cabinet was formally sworn in by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 22...
, supplying the ministers of Transport, Commerce
Ministry of Commerce (Thailand)
The Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The head of the ministry is called the Minister of Commerce, he is a member of the Cabinet of Thailand...
, and Interior
Ministry of Interior (Thailand)
The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Thailand is an important Cabinet-level department in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is given wide ranging responsibilities over many aspects...
(Chaovarat Chanweerakul
Chaovarat Chanweerakul
Chaovarat Chanweerakul, or Chavarat Charnvirakul is a Thai politician. He had served as an Acting Prime Minister of Thailand as a result of the 2008 Thai political crisis....
), and four deputy ministers.
For the general election on 3 July 2011, Bhumjaithai forged an alliance with fellow coalition partner Chartthaipattana Party. The party aimed at winning as many as 111 seats in the new parliament. During the campaign, a main BJT canvasser, Suban Chiraphanwanit, was shot dead. Eventually, BJT won 34 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, which observers have interpreted as very disappointing for Bhumjaithai. Subsequently, the party's Matchima
Neutral Democratic Party
The Neutral Democratic Party was a Thai political party founded in 2006 by Somsak Thepsuthin, a former Thai Rak Thai party Cabinet Minister...
-faction, led by Somsak Thepsuthin, tried to join the Pheu-Thai-led coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Yingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
, despite the party's firmly outruling cooperation with Pheu Thai before the elections. However, Pheu Thai Party rejected a possible government participation of BJT members.
Bhumjaithai has a populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
platform, since some of the platform was drawn from Thaksin's
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
Thai Rak Thai
Thai Rak Thai
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
party, and the People's Power Party
People's Power Party (Thailand)
The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng...
.
See also
- Neutral Democratic PartyNeutral Democratic PartyThe Neutral Democratic Party was a Thai political party founded in 2006 by Somsak Thepsuthin, a former Thai Rak Thai party Cabinet Minister...
- Friends of Newin Group
- List of political parties in Thailand