Mahachon Party
Encyclopedia
The Mahachon Party is a political party
in Thailand
.
It was founded in 1998 under the name of Phak Ratsadon or Citizen's Party. In its first years, it was dominated by a circle of former Thai Nation Party members around Air Marshal Somboon Rahong. It changed its name to the current version in 2004, and was joined by several defectors from the Democrat Party
in January 2005, making it the country's second largest party, measured by the number of members. The new executives included the Democrats' former Secretary General Sanan Kachornprasart
, and ex-Vice chairman Anek Laothamatas. In the legislative elections of 6 February 2005, the party won 8.3% of the popular vote and 2 out of 500 seats.
During the by-election in 2005 in Phichit Province district 3, the Mahachon Party won a third seat. Siriwat Kachornprasart, son of the party's leader Sanan Kachornprasart
became the third MP.
Former Mahachon Party member Nitiphoom Naowarat
later successfully contested the Bangkok Senator elections.
The party has colluded with 2 other main opposition parties to boycott the election
to make it impossible for another TRT led administration to form. These elections of April 2006
were declared invalid. The new elections planned for October 2006
were canceled due to the September 2006 coup. After Sanan and his son Siriwat Kachornprasart left in 2007, stating that small parties had no chance under Thai electoral law, the party sank into insignificance.
The party was revived for the 2011 general election and won one party-list seat. The party agreed to be part of Yingluck Shinawatra
's coalition government.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
.
It was founded in 1998 under the name of Phak Ratsadon or Citizen's Party. In its first years, it was dominated by a circle of former Thai Nation Party members around Air Marshal Somboon Rahong. It changed its name to the current version in 2004, and was joined by several defectors from 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 January 2005, making it the country's second largest party, measured by the number of members. The new executives included the Democrats' former Secretary General Sanan Kachornprasart
Sanan Kachornprasart
Sanan Kachornprasart is a Thai politician and military officer . He was deputy prime minister in the cabinet of Abhisit Vejjajiva, and is Chief Adviser of the Chartthaipattana Party.-Military service:...
, and ex-Vice chairman Anek Laothamatas. In the legislative elections of 6 February 2005, the party won 8.3% of the popular vote and 2 out of 500 seats.
During the by-election in 2005 in Phichit Province district 3, the Mahachon Party won a third seat. Siriwat Kachornprasart, son of the party's leader Sanan Kachornprasart
Sanan Kachornprasart
Sanan Kachornprasart is a Thai politician and military officer . He was deputy prime minister in the cabinet of Abhisit Vejjajiva, and is Chief Adviser of the Chartthaipattana Party.-Military service:...
became the third MP.
Former Mahachon Party member Nitiphoom Naowarat
Nitiphoom Naowarat
-Early life and career:Nitipoom was born at Trat Province but was brought up at Chantaburi Province. His mother is Overseas Chinese which surname is Li...
later successfully contested the Bangkok Senator elections.
The party has colluded with 2 other main opposition parties to boycott the election
Election boycott
An election boycott is the boycotting of an election by a group of voters, each of whom abstains from voting.Boycotting may be used as a form of political protest where voters feel that electoral fraud is likely, or that the electoral system is biased against its candidates, or that the polity...
to make it impossible for another TRT led administration to form. These elections of April 2006
Thailand legislative election, April 2006
-Opposition boycott:On 25 February the Post reported Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying he was "ready to become a prime minister who adheres to the principles of good governance and ethics, not authoritarianism." The next day, however, it was announced that the Democratic Party,...
were declared invalid. The new elections planned for October 2006
Thailand legislative election, October 2006
After Thailand's April 2006 elections were declared invalid by the Constitutional Court, it was decided that new elections would be held on 15 October 2006...
were canceled due to the September 2006 coup. After Sanan and his son Siriwat Kachornprasart left in 2007, stating that small parties had no chance under Thai electoral law, the party sank into insignificance.
The party was revived for the 2011 general election and won one party-list seat. The party agreed to be part of 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...
's coalition government.