Future Forward Party launches with challenge to ‘non-democratic power’

[webfact]

Future Forward Party launches with challenge to ‘non-democratic power’

By Wasamon Audjarint 
The Nation

 

 

The Future Forward Party officially debuted on Thursday, led by 39-year-old tycoon Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and legal scholar Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, with a clear agenda to promote a non-military, participatory democracy.
 

“We also will not accept an outsider prime minister. We will not join in that process,” Thanathorn said at the press conference launching the party.

 

He was referring to a mechanism, stipulated in the junta-written 2017 charter, which allows the Upper and Lower houses to jointly select a prime minister who is not elected or listed as a party candidate for the position.

 

The mechanism is seen by critics as paving the way for incumbent powers, most probably the ruling junta, to continue its term of power, similar to how Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda previously extended his premiership.

 

Founded by more than 27 local activists, academic and social campaigners, the new party’s stated intention is to build an inclusive society in which people’s voices will be heard and the “old faith in non-democratic power should end”, Thanathorn said.

 

The founders of the new party include the former director of Amnesty Thailand Chamnan Chanruang, education academic Kunthida Rungruengkiat, disabilities rights activist Nalatporn Krairerk and print labour union president Surin Khamsuk.

 

Due to the restrictions set by the junta’s ban against political gatherings of five or more people, Thanathorn and Piyabutr were unable to declare Future Forward’s policies or strategies ahead of the next general election, which the junta has promised will occur in February of next year, after multiple postponements.

 

However, they promised the party would be an alternative after “a decade-long political crisis and loss of opportunities, with the illegitimate use of power and unfair laws”, they said.

 

The press conference was held despite threats from the ruling junta that it could break the ban on political activities.

 

Thanathorn wrote on Facebook on Wednesday that the event would not break the prohibition because it was merely “discussion and coffee drinking”, while adding that the junta should soon lift the ban to allow all parties to engage more with the public.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30340960

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-15

[seajae]

hahahaha, and its approved by his mum, what more could you possibly want in a political party, mummy dearest will be there to change his nappy and put the dummy back in his mouth when he spits it, the perfect solution to the childish whims of some thais

[cornishcarlos]

7 minutes ago, seajae said:

hahahaha, and its approved by his mum, what more could you possibly want in a political party, mummy dearest will be there to change his nappy and put the dummy back in his mouth when he spits it, the perfect solution to the childish whims of some thais

 

As on another thread, it is perfectly normal in Thai society, to consult parents before doing something. Yes, even at the age of 39 :)

I'm just happy to see someone step up and challenge the status quo. Progression is the only way forward (pun intended)

[mtls2005]

Shades of 1998.

 

[JoePai]

I'll vote for them   

[dyertribe]

Good to see a potentially serious alternative to the PT/Democrat/Coup roundabout ... I hope this gets legs and takes off.

 

I'm a little worried about the lack of some more senior (age-wise) people (judging by the picture) who could probably add experience and balance, but we do have to get off the well worn path.

 

Chock-dii

[webfact]

Thanathorn pledges to tackle ‘semi-monopolistic’ economy at party launch

By The Nation

 

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the pro-democracy billionaire and “young blood” newcomer to politics, pledged on Thursday to break the semi-monopolistic Thai economy.

 

Speaking at a press conference launching the Future Forward Party, key founder Thanathorn said the economy reflected a semi-monopolistic form of capitalism because of “many undesirable conditions” in society.

 

“I want to break those things ,” he said.

 

He added that he wanted to create an economic system that allowed people who want to create their own businesses to enter the market easier.

 

“They [should] need not pay economic rents or ask for multiple permissions from many government agencies ,” Thanathorn said.

 

He also criticised the four-year rule of the junta as “the greatest loss” of economic opportunities.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30340963

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-15

[nikmar]

If he's sincere then Im all for him. Sincere being the operative word here.

[Darcula]

Same same - but different name spelling. His uncle served as transport minster in Thaksin's TRT cabinet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suriya_Jungrungreangkit

[webfact]

Thai auto heir launches new party, promises to heal political rift

By Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Chayut Setboonsarng

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the founder of Thailand's Future Forward Party, smiles during the launch of the party in Bangkok, Thailand, March 15, 2018. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A scion of Thailand's biggest auto parts group launched a new political party in Bangkok on Thursday as an alternative to established parties, promising to bridge a festering political divide in the country.

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 39, who serves as the executive vice president and director of the Thai Summit Group, an autoparts maker, launched the 'Future Forward Party' in Bangkok's up-and-coming Chinatown neighborhood.

 

Thanathorn said he hoped to appeal to younger voters and disenfranchised citizens.

 

"Give democracy a chance," he said in English at the launch.

 

"We don't need governance through guns," he added in Thai, referring to the ruling military, which took power in 2014.

 

The launch comes two weeks after Thailand's Election Commission opened registration for new political parties, one of the first signs of a halting return to democracy.

 

Thailand has been under military rule since a 2014 coup toppled an elected government.

 

Since the coup, the generals running Thailand have banned political activity. They have also repeatedly delayed a general election with the latest date pinned on February 2019.

 

The country has been largely divided since a 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a businessman turned politician who gained a loyal following among rural voters but made many enemies among the military-royalist elite.

 

Following a period of democracy, the military again intervened in 2014 to topple a civilian government led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

 

Critics of the junta say it has failed to deliver on its promises and that political divisions remain steadfast.

 

Growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in protests calling for a quick return to democracy.

 

The demonstrations come as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 63, who as army chief led the 2014 coup, appears to be undertaking his own campaign to stay on as prime minister.

 

Thanathorn, whose family also has a major stake in the Matichon Pcl, which publishes newspapers, resigned from Matichon's' board on Wednesday but remains on the board of Thai Summit, a privately held company.

 

Some have questioned the family's ties to Thaksin. Thanatorn's uncle, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, held various senior positions in Thaksin's now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.

 

Thanatorn has been described by some as the "next Thaksin", but on Thursday said he did not side with any existing group.

"We have our own stance," he said.

 

He did not list his party's policies because formal political campaigning is still banned by the junta, but said he hopes to attract "ordinary people" to support the party.

 

"People who are not famous ... but who want to shape our country's future together," he said.

 

Thanathorn introduced other party co-founders on Thursday, including a filmmaker and a number of activists involved in LGBT and environment causes, among other issues.

 

Party co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a law lecturer at Bangkok's Thammasat University, said the party hopes to transcend Thailand's political divide, a sentiment echoed by the student-led groups that have held anti-junta protests across Bangkok in recent weeks.

 

But some say the party might find it difficult to appeal to grassroots voters.

 

"Will they, academics and NGOs ... be able to connect with grassroots people, which is a large part of the electoral base?," asked one Twitter user.

 

(Additional reporting Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Panu Wongcha-um; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-03-15

[rkidlad]

I read elsewhere that the current government will be watching closely to make sure no more than 5 people gather within this party. 

 

25+ unexplained luxury watches - okay 

 

5+ people exercising basic human rights  - illegal

[smedly]

Thai auto heir launches new party

Uncle served as transport minster in Thaksin's TRT cabinet.

who would have thought it

 

 

The fact that he is young and is not involved (or is he) with PT is a good start I guess

[SOTIRIOS]

...to think that he is acting on his own is....beyond naive....

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Speaking at a press conference launching the Future Forward Party, key founder Thanathorn said the economy reflected a semi-monopolistic form of capitalism because of “many undesirable conditions” in society.

 

“I want to break those things ,” he said.

He better start lining up a second passport and a house in another country.

[RichardColeman]

More likely to be in prison for breaking some 'gathering over 5' silly rule for the photo !

[Srikcir]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

launched the 'Future Forward Party'

Or is it the New Citizen Party?

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1029138-thanathorn-party-ready-for-lift-off/?page=2

I favor the NCP.  Maybe people will think it's related to the NCPO.

[thaiguzzi]

11 hours ago, seajae said:

hahahaha, and its approved by his mum, what more could you possibly want in a political party, mummy dearest will be there to change his nappy and put the dummy back in his mouth when he spits it, the perfect solution to the childish whims of some thais

For the love of God!!!

Is there no end in sight of the most anal and pathetic comments on this forum.

Anything any good to say about ANYTHING?

Glass half empty. Permanently.

Jeez!

Today is Mar 15th. That is the most stupid comment I've read this year.
Congratulations. We have a winner...

-------------------------------

Re, the OP, sounds promising and I wish him all the best.

[Rhys]

....wish them the best more power to them... 5 minutes up.