New Leader Natthaphong Vows Big Win for People’s Party

[webfact]

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the newly appointed leader of the People’s Party (PP), has called on his party to make significant gains in the next General Election. At just 37, Natthaphong steps into the role amidst political upheaval, following the Constitutional Court's decision to dissolve the Move Forward Party (MFP) and ban 11 of its top leaders for their views on the monarchy.

 

The surprise appointment has stirred the political scene, previously anticipating MFP's Sirikanya Tansakul to helm the party.

 

Natthaphong aims to secure over half of the House seats in the next election, striving for a single-party government to continue MFP’s agenda. His rise is meteoric, having begun his political career in 2019 with the Future Forward Party (FFP), which was dissolved a year later. Despite legal challenges, Natthaphong's ascent seems almost destined, aligning him perfectly to lead PP with the same fervor.

 

Expressing readiness to be the party’s prime ministerial candidate, Natthaphong emphasized the need to expand the party’s support. “Even though we came first in last year’s poll, we must do better in the next election,” he stated.

 

PP plans to pivot towards local politics, aiming to connect with rural voters similarly to how FFP and MFP engaged young, urban constituencies. Natthaphong highlighted local bodies' elections as crucial for broadening the party’s influence before the national polls.

 

He cited MFP’s success in party-list votes but struggled with constituency voting due to Thailand's patronage system. “By winning local elections and actively engaging with people, we can show them that a better quality of life can be achieved through policies alone,” he said.

 

Natthaphong pointed to the upcoming provincial administration organisation (PAO) election in Ratchaburi as a test case for this strategy. Despite losing key figures like Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Pita Limjaroenrat, Natthaphong assured that the party is bolstered by many capable young members ready to push constitutional amendments and redefine public independent organisations’ powers.

 

As the opposition leader, Natthaphong vowed to scrutinise the Pheu Thai-led government and rally support for PP’s legislative initiatives, questioning the political landscape following transitions in government leadership. His vision is clear: to chart a new course for Thailand's future through robust policy and grassroots engagement.

 

-- 2024-08-19

 

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[Pouatchee]

17 minutes ago, webfact said:

PP plans to pivot towards local politics, aiming to connect with rural voters similarly to how FFP and MFP engaged young, urban constituencies.

 

very smart move. the northern rural electors are what make taks_i_ so strong. hit'em at home

[JoePai]

Wish him well 

[Artisi]

Go, go, go, trust they kick the ar$e of the current mob of nobs. 

[newnative]

Looks like the new party is in capable hands.

[Hunz Kittisak]

I’m taking bets to see how long before he goes to jail/ banned from politics 

[RotBenz8888]

Might not be that long. But first, a coup. 

[nakhonandy]

Good luck. Unfortunately, winning elections doesn't seem to guarantee you can actually run the Country. 

[dinsdale]

Unless the army is kept in it's barracks and the EC and the CC have their powers severely diminished PP at the next election (dependent on an intervening coup or not before then) could garner an absolute majority yet still be denied the right to govern.