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Future Forward Party

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Future Forward Party
พรรคอนาคตใหม่
LeaderThanathorn Juangroongruangkit
Secretary-GeneralPiyabutr Saengkanokkul
Founded15 March 2018
Dissolved21 February 2020[1]
Succeeded byMove Forward Party (de facto)[2]
HeadquartersBangkok, Thailand
Youth wingNew Gen Network (NGN)[3]
Membership (February 2020)51,283 [4]
IdeologyProgressivism[5][6]
Social democracy[7][8][9]
Anti–military junta[10]
Republicanism (alleged)[11][12]
Political positionCentre-left[13][14][15][16]
International affiliationProgressive Alliance (guest since 2018)[17]
Colours  Orange
SloganThe Future we aspire to is the future where the ultimate power truly belongs to the people
(Thai: อนาคตใหม่คืออนาคตที่อำนาจสูงสุดเป็นของประชาชน) Campaign slogan: Elevated and Equal Thailand[18]
(Thai: ไทย 2 เท่า)[19]
Website
en.futureforwardparty.org

The Future Forward Party (FFP) (Thai: พรรคอนาคตใหม่, RTGS: Phak Anakhot Mai, pronounced [ˈpʰák̚ ʔāˈnāːˈkʰót̚ˈmàj]; literally 'New Future Party') was a political party in Thailand founded in March 2018[20][21] by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former vice president of Thai Summit Group, and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a legal scholar.[22][23] It was founded on a progressive platform that sought to restrain the military's power in Thai politics, decentralize the bureaucracy, and improve social and economic equality.[24][25] The party was dissolved by the Constitutional Court on 21 February 2020.[26][27]

History

In September 2018, the Future Forward Party was officially recognized by the Election Commission, allowing the party to start registering members and solicit funding.[28]

In the 2019 election, the party won 30 constituency seats in parliament and 50 party-list MPs, including Thanathorn and Piyabutr, a result significantly better than had been expected for a new party.[29] It also later gained an additional seat from a by-election in Chiang Mai, giving it a total of 81 seats.[30]

Following the election, the party faced various legal challenges, which party leader Thanathorn says are politically motivated.[31] Thanathorn was accused of violating election law by the Election Commission, resulting in the Constitutional Court temporarily suspending his MP status until a ruling was reached.[32] Despite this, FFP and six allied anti-junta parties nominated Thanathorn as a candidate for prime minister, but lost to incumbent prime minister and junta leader Prayut Chan-o-cha.[33] Thanathorn was ultimately disqualified by the Constitutional Court.[34] One prominent case against the party, which the Constitutional Court accepted in July 2019, alleged that FFP sought to overthrow the monarchy. As evidence, the resemblance between the party's triangular symbol and that of the Illuminati was cited.[35][36] The case was dismissed in January 2020.[37]

On 16 December 2019, the party's executives and MPs voted to expel four MPs who had consistently voted against the party line, reducing its total to 76 MPs.[38]

The party was dissolved in a Constitutional Court ruling on 21 February 2020, which said that the party was in violation of election laws regarding donations to political parties. The party was loaned 191.2 million baht (about US$6 million) from its leader, Thanathorn, which, according to the court, counted as a donation.[39] The dissolution order drew criticism from commentators inside and outside the country, who characterized it as part of the military's continued interference in Thai politics, noting that the party's vocal anti-military position made it a target and that the other parties' finances were not similarly scrutinized.[40][41][42][43]

The future of Future Forward

Prior to the court ruling that disbanded his party, Thanathorn disclosed in an interview that, in the event of the party's dissolution, "...we will continue our political journey as a social movement, we'll build a new one outside the parliament. If they dissolve our party, there will be two paths running in parallel—one is a new party in parliament, running under a new name but the same ideology, and the second is a social movement...."[44] The court decision meant that the 65 remaining Future Forward MPs had to find a new party within 60 days. Ten list seats held by now-banned party executives will also have to be reallocated. It is not clear whether the Election Commission will allow candidates on the FFP party list to replace those ten. Competing parties were expected to woo the displaced Future Forward MPs, but the FFP stated that a new party would be ready to accommodate those who wanted to continue its work.[45] A few days after the dissolution, nine MPs defected from the party to join the Bhumjaithai Party in the government coalition.[46] On 8 March 2020, 55 of the remaining 56 MPs announced their relocation to the Move Forward Party under Pita Limjaroenrat, vowing to continue the work of Future Forward.[47] The remaining member joined the Chartthaipattana Party.[48] The extra-parliamentary successor of the FFP, the Progressive Movement, has been announced by former party leader Thanathorn, with an agenda of pushing for further reforms and amending the constitution.[49]

The Election Commission is likely to hear criminal charges against the FFP's leadership, which could result in three to five years imprisonment.[50]

Founding members

Party leadership

Future Forward's executive committees were elected in a vote during the party's first official meeting in May 2018.[28][53]

Position Name Term
Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit 27 May 2018 – 21 February 2020
Secretary-General Piyabutr Saengkanokkul
Deputy leader Kunthida Rungruengkiat
Chamnan Chanruang
LTG Pongskorn Rodchompoo
Ronnawit Lorlertsoonthorn
Spokesperson Pannika Wanich
Registrar Klaikong Vaidhyakarn
Treasurer Nitipat Taemphairojana
Executive Committee

(Labour Network)

Sunthon Bunyod
Executive Committee
(New Gen Network – NGN) 		Position vacant 29 November 2018 – 21 February 2020
27 May 2018 – 29 November 2018 (Wipaphan Wongsawang; resigned[54])
Executive Committee (North) Yaowalux Wongpraparat 27 May 2018 – 21 February 2020
Executive Committee (Central) Surachai Srisaracam
Executive Committee (South) Janevit Kraisin
Executive Committee (Northeast) Chan Phakdisri
Executive Committee Jaruwan Sarunyagate
Niraman Sulaiman

Election results

Election Total seats won Popular vote Share of votes Outcome of election Election leader
2019
81 / 500
 6,265,950 17.63% Opposition Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

References

  1. ^ Boonbandit, Tappanai (21 February 2020). "Future Forward Party Found Guilty, Disbanded by Court". Khaosod English. Archived from the original on 29 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  2. ^ "Thailand's Disbanded Future Forward Party Relaunched as New Group, Move Forward". Straits Times. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  3. ^ https://futureforwardparty.org/about-fwp/our-networks/ngn[full citation needed]
  4. ^ "ข้อมูลพรรคการเมืองที่ยังดำเนินการอยู่ ณ วับที่ 24 มกราคม 2563" (PDF). Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  5. ^ Kaweewit Kaewjinda (15 March 2018). "Thai billionaire registers new progressive political party". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  6. ^ Saksith Saiyasombut (15 March 2018). "Thai billionaire forms new political party to woo younger voters". Channel News Asia.
  7. ^ ไทยรัฐฉบับพิมพ์ (2 May 2018). "สู้ด้วยแนวคิดที่เหนือกว่า". Thai Rath. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  8. ^ "A conversation with Thanathorn, Future Forward Party founder". New Mandala. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Isaan's future: Thanathorn on moving the region forward". The Isaan Record. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  10. ^ Kaweewit Kaewjinda (27 March 2019). "Thai anti-military parties say they have seats to form govt". AP.
  11. ^ "Court to Rule on Case Linking Future Forward to Illuminati, Republicanism". Khaosod English. Associated Press. 24 December 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  12. ^ Somjittranukit, Kornkritch; Kummetha, Thaweeporn (15 March 2018). "Future Forward Party criticised as inexperienced, republican, and a personality cult". Prachatai. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  13. ^ Nadia Chevroulet (n.d.). "The Future Forward Party: Thailand's 'new hope'?". Asia News Network.
  14. ^ "ทิ้งระเบิดใส่อนาคตใหม่!'เจียม'บีบหัวใจชง'ล้างม.112'เป็นนโยบายพรรค ถ้าไม่ได้อย่าอ้างเป็นฝ่ายซ้าย". Thai Post. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  15. ^ "เอาให้ชัด! ทางเดิน "สองหนุ่ม" พรรคซ้ายหรือพรรคชิน?". Komchadluek. 28 May 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  16. ^ "La Thaïlande insoumise est en marche". Libération. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  17. ^ [1][full citation needed]
  18. ^ "Thailand 2 Es: Elevated and Equal – Future Forward Party". Future Forward Party. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  19. ^ "ได้เวลาอนาคตใหม่ เปิดวิสัยทัศน์ "อนาคตใหม่ ไทย 2 เท่า" « Future Forward Party พรรคอนาคตใหม่". Future Forward Party. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  20. ^ Rojanaphruk, Pravit (15 March 2018). "Thanathorn unveils 'Future Forward Party,' pledges fresh beginning". Khaosod English.
  21. ^ "ธนาธร-ปิยบุตร ตั้งพรรค "อนาคตใหม่" ประกาศไม่รับทุกส่วนประกอบ "อประชาธิปไตย"". BBC. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
  22. ^ Niyomyat, Aukkarapon; Setboonsarng, Chayut (15 March 2018). "Thai auto heir launches new party, promises to heal political rift". Reuters.
  23. ^ "Thai billionaire registers new progressive political party". Mainichi. 15 March 2018. Archived from the original on 16 March 2018. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  24. ^ "Thai regime spooked by Thanathorn and his angry young supporters". Nikkei Asian Review. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Future Forward unveils policies designed to change Thailand". Thai PBS. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  26. ^ Peck, Grant (21 February 2020). "Court in Thailand orders popular opposition party dissolved". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  27. ^ https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/1777510[full citation needed]
  28. ^ a b "Future Forward Party". Future Forward Party. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  29. ^ "Future Forward Party shows it is a force to be reckoned with". The Straits Times. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  30. ^ "Future Forward Party wins new Chiang Mai election". Bangkok Post. 26 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  31. ^ Techakitteranun, Hathai (12 December 2019). "Thai Future Forward party faces dissolution over loan from leader". The Straits Times. Retrieved 20 January 2019.
  32. ^ "Court suspends Thanathorn from MP". Bangkok Post. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Military government chief Prayuth Chan-ocha elected Thai PM". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  34. ^ "Thai court disqualifies opposition leader Thanathorn as MP". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  35. ^ "Monarchy and Illuminati: why a Thai party may be banned". Reuters. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  36. ^ Achakulwisut, Atiya (6 August 2019). "FFP 'Illuminati' charge based on unjustified fear". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  37. ^ "ไม่ยุบอนาคตใหม่ ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ ยกคำร้อง ล้มล้างการปกครอง" [Future Forward not dissolved: Constitutional Court dismisses sedition charges]. Prachachat (in Thai). 21 January 2020. Retrieved 21 January 2020.
  38. ^ "Future Forward officially sacks 4 MPs". Bangkok Post. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
  39. ^ "Future Forward: Thai pro-democracy party dissolved over loan". BBC. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  40. ^ Ratcliffe, Rebecca (21 February 2020). "Thai court dissolves opposition party Future Forward". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  41. ^ https://www.sanook.com/news/8037770/[full citation needed]
  42. ^ https://www.sanook.com/news/8037522/[full citation needed]
  43. ^ https://www.matichon.co.th/politics/news_1993838[full citation needed]
  44. ^ Haffner, Andrew (17 February 2020). "Thanathorn: Future on trial". Southeast Asia Globe. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  45. ^ "FFP dissolved, executives banned for 10 years". Bangkok Post. 21 February 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  46. ^ "9 Defect to Bhumjaithai". 26 February 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  47. ^ Techakitteranum, Hathai (9 March 2020). "New Thai group to replace dissolved Future Forward Party". Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  48. ^ Boonbandit, Tappanai (9 March 2020). "Moving Forward: 55 Disbanded MPs Join New Party". Khaosod English. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  49. ^ "BREAKING: ขยับต่อการเมือง! ธนาธรเตรียมเปิดตัว 'คณะก้าวหน้า Progressive movement' 22 มีนาคมนี้". THE STANDARD (in Thai). 13 March 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
  50. ^ Kurlantzick, Joshua (27 February 2020). "A Popular Thai Opposition Party Was Disbanded. What Happens Next?". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  51. ^ a b c d e f Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj (15 March 2018). "Thailand's new billionaire-led political party is full of hipsters and activists". BK Daily.
  52. ^ a b c d e f g h Wasamon Audjarint (16 March 2018). "'Progressive' new party takes a step forward". The Nation.
  53. ^ "Our Team – Future Forward Party". Futureforwardparty.org. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
  54. ^ "Future Forward Fires Youth Wing Leaders Over Alleged Fund Misuse". Khaosod English. 29 November 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2018.

Further reading

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