Thai Rak Thai
Encyclopedia
The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand
due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister
and its founder Thaksin Shinawatra
. Eight months after a military coup forced Thaksin to stay in exile, the party was dissolved on May 30, 2007 by the Constitutional Tribunal for violation of electoral laws, with 111 former party members banned from participating in politics for five years.
and 22 other founding members, including Somkid Jatusripitak
, Thanong Bidaya
, Sudarat Keyuraphan
, Purachai Piumsombun, Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya
, and Prommin Lertsuridej
.
The Thai Rak Thai party had a populist
platform, appealing to indebted farmers – which had become indebted as a result of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 – with promises of a strong economic recovery. The party also reached out to rural villages, and struggling businesses. Thai Rak Thai's policies have included a 30 Baht per hospital visit scheme, an extended debt moratorium for farmers, 1 million Baht microcredit
development funds for all rural districts, and the One Tambon One Product
project.
Thai Rak Thai won the legislative election of 2001
by a landslide margin over the ruling Democrat Party
led by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. 40% of elected MPs were freshmen. Thai Rak Thai was also able to negotiate for a merger with the New Aspiration Party
and a coalition with the Thai Nation Party, resulting in a majority of 325 out of 500 seats for the coalition government.
The Thai Rak Thai Party was the first political party in Thailand to have been represented by more than half of the Members of the House of Representatives
. In the 2005 legislative election, the party's candidates were elected to occupy 376 seats of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, defeating the largest opposition party, the Democrat Party
. It won 96 seats. After the election, Thailand's first single party government was successfully formed.
In the invalid elections of April 2006
, it won 61.6% of the vote and 460 out of 500 seats, the rest remaining vacant due to boycotting by the opposition parties in the first past the post electoral system.
, which was dissolved
on February 24, 2006.
was in New York City attending a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly
. Most of the TRT executive leadership members were also abroad: Deputy Premier Surakiart Sathirathai
was with Thaksin in New York, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya
was in Singapore attending the annual meeting of the World Bank
/IMF
, Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak
was attending the Thai-France Cultural Exhibition in Paris with Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon
and HRH Princess Sirindhorn
.
Several party executives remaining in Thailand were arrested and detained by the junta. Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Chitchai Wannasathit
and Defence Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya
were in Thailand and were immediately arrested and detained by the junta. Secretary-General to the Premier Prommin Lertsuridej
was also arrested. Natural Resources and Environmental Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchop
were ordered to report themselves to the junta by Thursday September 21. Both reported themselves and were also detained.
Several party executives including Chaturon Chaisang
, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Suranand Vejjajiva, Veera Musikapong, and Party Deputy and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit
and former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook were reported to be in Thailand and running free.
became the acting party leader.
Several former MPs believed the party would be dissolved by the junta, including former Khon Kaen MP Prajak Kaewklaharn. However, former Udon Thani MP Thirachai Saenkaew, called for the junta to allow Thaksin to contest the next election, claiming that TRT supporters wanted Thaksin to return to politics.
Former Sakon Nakhon MP Chalermchai Ulankul said that although he and others might be unemployed for about a year, his faction was "firm" and preparing to run in the election next year. "As long as the Thai Rak Thai Party is not dissolved, we can't say we will move to be under any other party. However, I don't know who will continue the TRT."
Many party members were reported to have dropped their party membership in the aftermath of the coup. These included Somsak Thepsuthin and 100 members of the Wang Nam Yom faction. It was not clear whether Suriya Jungrungreangkit
, another influential member of the faction would also resign. Sonthaya Kunplome also was reported to have led 20 members of the Chonburi faction in resigning from the party. Fear that the party would be dissolved by the junta and its members banned from politics fueled the defections.
On October 2, 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra and his former deputy, Somkid Jatusipitak, finally resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party, in all probability ending it as a political force.
.
Constitutional Court of Thailand
The Constitutional Court of Thailand is an independent Thai court originally established under the 1997 Constitution with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding...
due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
and its founder Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
. Eight months after a military coup forced Thaksin to stay in exile, the party was dissolved on May 30, 2007 by the Constitutional Tribunal for violation of electoral laws, with 111 former party members banned from participating in politics for five years.
Party Platform and Electoral Outcomes
The Thai Rak Thai was registered on July 15, 1998, by telecommunications entrepreneur Thaksin ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
and 22 other founding members, including Somkid Jatusripitak
Somkid Jatusripitak
Somkid Jatusripitak , Chinese: 曾汉光, Thai politician, is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand. He was a leader and cofounder of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. His wife, Anurachanee Jatusripitak, teaches at Chulalongkorn University...
, Thanong Bidaya
Thanong Bidaya
Thanong Bidaya is a Thai politician and deposed Finance Minister. After the military overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, he remained in Singapore where he was attending the annual meeting of the World Bank/IMF....
, Sudarat Keyuraphan
Sudarat Keyuraphan
Sudarat Keyuraphan is a Thai politician and the deputy leader of the Thai Rak Thai party. She served as the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand in the Thai Rak Thai government until its ousting in the September 2006 coup.Born in Bangkok, Sudarat is a graduate of Chulalongkorn...
, Purachai Piumsombun, Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya
Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya
Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayuthaya is a former Thai military officer, Member of Parliament, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai Party, and former defence minister...
, and Prommin Lertsuridej
Prommin Lertsuridej
Prommin Lertsuridej, M.D. was a Thai politician, former student leader, former Secretary General to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, and former Minister of Energy in the Thaksin government...
.
The Thai Rak Thai party had a populist
Populism
Populism can be defined as an ideology, political philosophy, or type of discourse. Generally, a common theme compares "the people" against "the elite", and urges social and political system changes. It can also be defined as a rhetorical style employed by members of various political or social...
platform, appealing to indebted farmers – which had become indebted as a result of the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 – with promises of a strong economic recovery. The party also reached out to rural villages, and struggling businesses. Thai Rak Thai's policies have included a 30 Baht per hospital visit scheme, an extended debt moratorium for farmers, 1 million Baht microcredit
Microcredit
Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit...
development funds for all rural districts, and the One Tambon One Product
One Tambon One Product
One Tambon One Product is a local entrepreneurship stimulus program designed by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during the 2001-2006 Thai Rak Thai government. The program aims to support the unique locally made and marketed products of each Thai tambon...
project.
Thai Rak Thai won the legislative election of 2001
Thailand legislative election, 2001
General elections were held in Thailand on January 6, 2001. 500 seats in the House of Representatives were at stake...
by a landslide margin over the ruling 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...
led by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. 40% of elected MPs were freshmen. Thai Rak Thai was also able to negotiate for a merger with the New Aspiration Party
New Aspiration Party
The New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives....
and a coalition with the Thai Nation Party, resulting in a majority of 325 out of 500 seats for the coalition government.
The Thai Rak Thai Party was the first political party in Thailand to have been represented by more than half of the Members of the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Thailand
The House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
. In the 2005 legislative election, the party's candidates were elected to occupy 376 seats of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, defeating the largest opposition party, 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...
. It won 96 seats. After the election, Thailand's first single party government was successfully formed.
In the invalid 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,...
, it won 61.6% of the vote and 460 out of 500 seats, the rest remaining vacant due to boycotting by the opposition parties in the first past the post electoral system.
Factions
As an amalgam of several different parties, Thai Rak Thai politicians owe their allegiance to different factions. Precise figures on faction membership do not exist, but the best estimates of the numerical strength of the major factions are provided below. These numbers are based on the membership of the House of Representatives elected in the 2005 general electionThailand legislative election, 2005
General elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. With a turnout of 60.7 percent, the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won a landslide victory. Out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, Thaksin's party won 374 seats, with its former coalition partner, the...
, which was dissolved
Dissolution of parliament
In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election.Usually there is a maximum length of a legislature, and a dissolution must happen before the maximum time...
on February 24, 2006.
- Wang Bua Ban – Led by Thaksin's sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat, this faction is one of the party's most important groupings, as it includes many members of Prime Minister's inner circle. The faction's base is Thaksin's home province of Chiang MaiChiang MaiChiang Mai sometimes written as "Chiengmai" or "Chiangmai", is the largest and most culturally significant city in northern Thailand. It is the capital of Chiang Mai Province , a former capital of the Kingdom of Lanna and was the tributary Kingdom of Chiang Mai from 1774 until 1939. It is...
. It was estimated that Wang Bua Ban commands the support of over 30 MPs (as of December 2005), mostly from the northernNorthern ThailandThailand's northern region is geographically characterised by multiple mountain ranges which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar and Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them...
region.
- Wang Nam Yom – Originally a splinter group from Wang Bua Ban, Wang Nam Yom is led by Labour Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Industry Minister Suriya JungrungreangkitSuriya JungrungreangkitSuriya Jungrungreangkit is a Thai politician of the Thai Rak Thai party. Since 2002 he is the Minister of Transport of Thailand...
, who also serves as Thai Rak Thai's Secretary-General. With the financial backing of Suriya, whose family controls the largest auto parts manufactuer in Thailand, some observers claim that this faction has the resources to form a party in its own right. The group is said to include over 100 MPs, hailing from the northernNorthern ThailandThailand's northern region is geographically characterised by multiple mountain ranges which continue from the Shan Hills in bordering Myanmar and Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them...
, northeasternIsanIsan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
, and centralCentral ThailandCentral Thailand is a region of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. It is separated from North-East Thailand by the Phetchabun mountain range, and another mountain range separates it from Myanmar to the west. In the north it gently changes into the more hilly...
regions of Thailand.
- Wang Nam Yen – This was the most notorious faction, led by the veteran political power-broker, Sanoh Thienthong, a former Interior Minister who held the title of Chief Advisor to the Thai Rak Thai Party. A native of Sa Kaeo provinceSa Kaeo ProvinceSa Kaeo is a province of Thailand.It is located in the east of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Prachin Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram...
, Sanoh in the 1990s built a political empire that came to dominate several border provinces in easternEastern ThailandEastern Thailand is a region of Thailand bordering Cambodia on the east and Central Thailand on the west.-Geography:Eastern Thailand lies between the Sankamphaeng Range, which forms the border of the Northeastern plateau to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south...
and northeasternIsanIsan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
Thailand. Rather than start a political party of his own, however, Sanoh preferred to play the role of kingmaker by shifting his group from party to party. With the collapse in 1992 of the pro-military government, which Sanoh supported, the faction moved to the Chart Thai PartyChart Thai PartyThai Nation Party , also known as Chart Thai, was a conservative political party in Thailand. It was dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on December 2, 2008, along with the People's Power Party and the Matchima party, for having violated electoral laws in the Thai general election, 2007...
, which went on to win the elections held in 1995. Amid squabbles with Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-Archa, Sanoh then defected to the New Aspiration PartyNew Aspiration PartyThe New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives....
, which won the 1996 elections. However, with New Aspiration's star waning after it was forced out of power in 1997, Sanoh decided to cast his lot with Thai Rak Thai before the 2001 electionsThailand legislative election, 2001General elections were held in Thailand on January 6, 2001. 500 seats in the House of Representatives were at stake...
. Since joining Thai Rak Thai, however, Wang Nam Yen has largely been sidelined by Thaksin amid occasional squabbles with Sanoh. As a result, Sanoh has become one of Thaksin's most vocal critics in the Thai Rak Thai Party. Wang Nam Yen's electoral fortunes have also declined slightly since joining Thai Rak Thai at the expense of other factions, and as of February 2006, Sanoh commands the loyalty of only 37 MPs. He and his wife resigned from the TRT in February 2006 to establish the Royalist People's PartyRoyalist People's PartyThe Royalist People's Party is a populist political party in Thailand.The party was established and registered at the Electoral Commission on February 10, 2006, by Sanoh Thienthong, former Thai Rak Thai party chairman....
.
- Wang Phayanak – This group is led by Deputy Prime Minister Phinij Jarusombat, who was leader of the small Seritham Party before it merged with Thai Rak Thai after the 2001 electionsThailand legislative election, 2001General elections were held in Thailand on January 6, 2001. 500 seats in the House of Representatives were at stake...
. Most of the faction's following of approximately 30 MPs (as of December 2005) hail from the northeastern regionIsanIsan is the northeastern region of Thailand. It is located on the Khorat Plateau, bordered by the Mekong River to the north and east, by Cambodia to the southeast and the Prachinburi mountains south of Nakhon Ratchasima...
, where the group often competes with Wang Nam Yen for influence.
- Wang Lam Takong – This faction is composed of the remnants of the old Chart Pattana (National Development) Party, which merged into Thai Rak Thai before the 2005 electionsThailand legislative election, 2005General elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. With a turnout of 60.7 percent, the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won a landslide victory. Out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, Thaksin's party won 374 seats, with its former coalition partner, the...
. Chart Pattana's former leader, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, serves as the head of this group. The faction's influence derives from its strength in the country's second-most populous province, Nakhon RatchasimaNakhon Ratchasima ProvinceNakhon Ratchasima or , often shortened to Korat or Khorat , is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand...
, which was the stronghold of Chart Pattana. Wang Lam Katong's membership is estimated to include as many as 20 MPs.
- Bangkok Faction – The leader of this group is Agriculture Minister Sudarat KeyuraphanSudarat KeyuraphanSudarat Keyuraphan is a Thai politician and the deputy leader of the Thai Rak Thai party. She served as the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives of Thailand in the Thai Rak Thai government until its ousting in the September 2006 coup.Born in Bangkok, Sudarat is a graduate of Chulalongkorn...
, who was a key figure in the former Palang Dharma Party that Thaksin led in the mid-1990s. As a result, Sudarat is said to be capable of wielding significant influence over the Prime Minister. The faction includes all the Thai Rak Thai's MPs who represent BangkokBangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
and a handful of others from the surrounding region. Together with a small number of party-list MPs allied with Sudarat, the faction's total membership is estimated to include over 30 MPs.
- Chonburi Faction – Former Sports & Tourism Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem leads this faction, which split from the Chart Thai PartyChart Thai PartyThai Nation Party , also known as Chart Thai, was a conservative political party in Thailand. It was dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on December 2, 2008, along with the People's Power Party and the Matchima party, for having violated electoral laws in the Thai general election, 2007...
before the 2005 electionsThailand legislative election, 2005General elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. With a turnout of 60.7 percent, the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won a landslide victory. Out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, Thaksin's party won 374 seats, with its former coalition partner, the...
to join Thai Rak Thai. Sonthaya's father is the infamous Somchai Khunpluem, the "godfather" of ChonburiChonburi ProvinceChonburi is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi and Rayong. To the west is the Gulf of Thailand. The eastern seaboard is heavily industrialized and underpinned by shipping, transportation, tourism, and manufacturing industries, and second to only Bangkok...
who is better known as "KamnanKamnanA kamnan is a Thai governing official at the tambon level. It is usually translated as "subdistrict headman".The position of a kamnan was introduced with the thesaphiban administrative reforms at the end of the 19th century, first enacted in 1892. On of the village elders of the muban...
Po." The dominant political force in the easternEastern ThailandEastern Thailand is a region of Thailand bordering Cambodia on the east and Central Thailand on the west.-Geography:Eastern Thailand lies between the Sankamphaeng Range, which forms the border of the Northeastern plateau to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south...
provinces of ChonburiChonburi ProvinceChonburi is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi and Rayong. To the west is the Gulf of Thailand. The eastern seaboard is heavily industrialized and underpinned by shipping, transportation, tourism, and manufacturing industries, and second to only Bangkok...
and RayongRayong ProvinceRayong province is a province of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Chon Buri and Chanthaburi. To the south is the Gulf of Thailand.-History:...
, this faction counts approximately seven MPs under its wing.
- Buri Ram Faction – Like the Chonburi Faction, this group also defected from the Chart Thai PartyChart Thai PartyThai Nation Party , also known as Chart Thai, was a conservative political party in Thailand. It was dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on December 2, 2008, along with the People's Power Party and the Matchima party, for having violated electoral laws in the Thai general election, 2007...
before the 2005 electionsThailand legislative election, 2005General elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. With a turnout of 60.7 percent, the Thai Rak Thai Party of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra won a landslide victory. Out of 500 seats in the House of Representatives, Thaksin's party won 374 seats, with its former coalition partner, the...
. The faction's leader is Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, probably one of the most popular members of Thai Rak Thai and was at the time considered to be one of Thaksin's right hand men. It had a solid base in Newin's home province of Buri Ram and in neighboring Surin ProvinceSurin ProvinceSurin is one of the north-eastern provinces of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are Buriram, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et and Sisaket...
.
- Phor Mod Dam – This group, also known as "Rim Nam", is led by Deputy House Speaker Suchart Tancharoen, a key figure in the former New Aspiration PartyNew Aspiration PartyThe New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives....
, which merged with Thai Rak Thai after the 2001 electionsThailand legislative election, 2001General elections were held in Thailand on January 6, 2001. 500 seats in the House of Representatives were at stake...
. The faction has around 15 members.
- Maleenont Faction – Led by Sports & Tourism Minister (as of February 2006) Pracha Maleenont, whose family controls the local broadcasting and entertainment group BEC World. This group's influence derives from the Maleenont family's role as one of the leading financiers of the Thai Rak Thai Party.
- Pongsak Faction – Under the leadership of Transport Minister Pongsak Raktapongpisak, this group has emerged recently as a significant force within the party, counting approximately 30 MPs as supporters as of December 2005. Pongsak's alleged close friendship with Khunying Potjaman ShinawatraPotjaman ShinawatraKhunying Potjaman Na Pombejra , formerly Potjaman Shinawatra and born as Soypetpotjaman Damapong , , is the ex-wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Potjaman played a key role in the development of Thaksin's commercial enterprises in the 1980s...
, the wife of Prime Minister Thaksin, is said to allow him to wield considerable influence over party and government affairs.
Whereabouts of party leaders after the coup
On the evening of Tuesday September 19, 2006, the Thai military seized control of Bangkok to take over the government of the Kingdom. In the meantime, Thaksin ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
was in New York City attending a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
. Most of the TRT executive leadership members were also abroad: Deputy Premier Surakiart Sathirathai
Surakiart Sathirathai
Surakiart Sathirathai was, until September 19 2006, a Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand overseeing Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture.-Family and early career:...
was with Thaksin in New York, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya
Thanong Bidaya
Thanong Bidaya is a Thai politician and deposed Finance Minister. After the military overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, he remained in Singapore where he was attending the annual meeting of the World Bank/IMF....
was in Singapore attending the annual meeting of the World Bank
World Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
/IMF
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
, Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak
Somkid Jatusripitak
Somkid Jatusripitak , Chinese: 曾汉光, Thai politician, is a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of Thailand. He was a leader and cofounder of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. His wife, Anurachanee Jatusripitak, teaches at Chulalongkorn University...
was attending the Thai-France Cultural Exhibition in Paris with Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon
Kantathi Suphamongkhon
Dr. Kantathi Suphamongkhon is the 39th Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. He served as Foreign Minister during the administration of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from 11 March 2005 until the military coup d'état on 19 September 2006.Suphamongkhon is now the University of...
and HRH Princess Sirindhorn
Maha Chakri Sirindhorn
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is the second daughter of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Thais commonly refer to her as Phra Thep, meaning "princess angel." Because her title in Thai is the female equivalent of the title held by her brother, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, she is informally referred...
.
Several party executives remaining in Thailand were arrested and detained by the junta. Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Chitchai Wannasathit
Chitchai Wannasathit
Chitchai Wannasathit was the caretaker prime minister of Thailand from April to May 2006, when Thaksin Shinawatra took a break from his duties as prime minister following a disappointing showing in elections. Thaksin returned to his duties after more than a month...
and Defence Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya
Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya
Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayuthaya is a former Thai military officer, Member of Parliament, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai Party, and former defence minister...
were in Thailand and were immediately arrested and detained by the junta. Secretary-General to the Premier Prommin Lertsuridej
Prommin Lertsuridej
Prommin Lertsuridej, M.D. was a Thai politician, former student leader, former Secretary General to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, and former Minister of Energy in the Thaksin government...
was also arrested. Natural Resources and Environmental Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchop
Newin Chidchop
Newin Chidchob is a Thai politician. As a member of several political parties, Newin and his allies eventually joined the Thai Rak Thai Party of Thaksin Shinawatra in 2005. Until the 2006 Thai coup d'état, he served as a member of the Parliament for Buriram Province and was a Cabinet minister with...
were ordered to report themselves to the junta by Thursday September 21. Both reported themselves and were also detained.
Several party executives including Chaturon Chaisang
Chaturon Chaisang
Chaturon Chaisang is a Thai politician and former Deputy Prime Minister. He was a leader of the New Aspiration Party, and became an ally of Thaksin Shinawatra when New Aspiration merged into Thai Rak Thai after the 2001 general elections.- Education :...
, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Suranand Vejjajiva, Veera Musikapong, and Party Deputy and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit is a Thai politician of the Thai Rak Thai party. Since 2002 he is the Minister of Transport of Thailand...
and former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook were reported to be in Thailand and running free.
Reactions from party members
With Thaksin and key party executives either abroad or arrested, the reaction of TRT party members was muted and disorganized. In Thaksin's absence, Chaturon ChaisangChaturon Chaisang
Chaturon Chaisang is a Thai politician and former Deputy Prime Minister. He was a leader of the New Aspiration Party, and became an ally of Thaksin Shinawatra when New Aspiration merged into Thai Rak Thai after the 2001 general elections.- Education :...
became the acting party leader.
Several former MPs believed the party would be dissolved by the junta, including former Khon Kaen MP Prajak Kaewklaharn. However, former Udon Thani MP Thirachai Saenkaew, called for the junta to allow Thaksin to contest the next election, claiming that TRT supporters wanted Thaksin to return to politics.
Former Sakon Nakhon MP Chalermchai Ulankul said that although he and others might be unemployed for about a year, his faction was "firm" and preparing to run in the election next year. "As long as the Thai Rak Thai Party is not dissolved, we can't say we will move to be under any other party. However, I don't know who will continue the TRT."
Many party members were reported to have dropped their party membership in the aftermath of the coup. These included Somsak Thepsuthin and 100 members of the Wang Nam Yom faction. It was not clear whether Suriya Jungrungreangkit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit
Suriya Jungrungreangkit is a Thai politician of the Thai Rak Thai party. Since 2002 he is the Minister of Transport of Thailand...
, another influential member of the faction would also resign. Sonthaya Kunplome also was reported to have led 20 members of the Chonburi faction in resigning from the party. Fear that the party would be dissolved by the junta and its members banned from politics fueled the defections.
On October 2, 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra and his former deputy, Somkid Jatusipitak, finally resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party, in all probability ending it as a political force.
Party dissolution
The party's future was shrouded in doubt following the military coup that ousted Thaksin's government in September 2006. The party was dissolved on May 30, 2007 by the order of the Constitutional Tribunal for violation of election laws. A few high-ranking party members were found to be directly involved in bribing several small parties into competing in constituencies that were bases of the former opposition parties to ensure that minimum turnout rules were met in favor of the TRT party and its partners. 111 members of the party, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, were barred from participating in politics for a five-year period, with only eight out of the 119 charged acquitted. The remaining MPs and members of the party reorganized in the People's Power PartyPeople's Power Party (Thailand)
The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng...
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