Meet the leaders of Thailand’s opposition, the People’s Party

Link to the program recording here.

Thailand’s disbanded opposition Move Forward Party last month regrouped into a new political vehicle called the People’s Party after it was dissolved by the Constitutional Court, which ruled that its campaign to reform the country’s lèse-majesté law risked undermining the constitutional monarchy.

Under its new leader, Natthaphong “Teng” Ruengpanyawut, 37, the party vows to carry on its mission in parliament to push for major reforms in Thai politics, including amending the military-drafted constitution and other liberal agendas that Move Forward had previously proposed, winning them the most parliamentary seats at the last general election.

Since Move Forward's dissolution, Thailand has also seen the dismissal of former premier Srettha Thavisin by the same court for an ethics violation, a parliamentary vote electing political neophyte Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country’s youngest prime minister, and the rising profile of Paetongtarn’s father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in Thai politics.

Join us at the FCCT to hear to hear from People’s Party leader Natthaphong and the party’s senior member, Sirikanya Tansakun, about their new party, its goals and their thoughts on the country’s evolving political landscape.
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Speakers include:

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of People’s Party and a member of parliament.

Sirikanya Tansakun, senior member of the People’s Party.

Moderator: Panu Wongcha-um, Reuters senior correspondent and FCCT vice president.

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Photo credit: Chalinee Thirasupa, Reuters