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52-617: Puea Pandin presented itself as a compromise party, a neutral and moderate alternative to the two main rivals, the Democrat Party and the People's Power Party (PPP). It included both former allies and opponents of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his outlawed Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT). Suwit Khunkitti and Watchara Punnachet were elected party leader and party secretary general respectively. The party appointed Vatana Asavahame as

104-674: A constitutional crisis , and voted to dissolve the party. It also found that Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party bribed other parties to contest the election. A junta tribunal acquitted Abhisit and the Democrats of the vote fraud charges, but convicted and banned the Thai Rak Thai party and its entire executive team. Abhisit supported the junta's 2007 Constitution , calling it an improvement on the 1997 constitution . The military junta organized general elections for 23 December 2007. Despite being banned from politics for five years, Thaksin Shinawatra

156-518: A populist platform, since some of the platform was drawn from Thaksin Shinawatra's populist Thai Rak Thai party and the People's Power Party. The party has a strong base in Buriram Province . On 15 December 2008, the party endorsed the Democrat Party , forming a six-party coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva . The party's " de facto " leader and power broker behind joining

208-562: A Democrat MP yelled out, "Pridi killed the King!" in the middle of a crowded theater. By the time of the elections of August 1946, the Democrat Party was backed by royalists like Prince Upalisarn Jubala , Srivisarn Vacha , Sridhamadibes , Borirak Vejjakarn , and Srisena Sombatsiri . Except for Prince Upalisarn Jubala, all of these figures would become Privy Councilors to King Bhumibol Adulyadej . Parties affiliated with Pridi continued to win

260-472: A Social Action Party-led coalition which appointed Social Action Party leader Kukrit Pramoj as premier. The kingdom descended into political chaos, with anti-leftist groups growing increasingly violent. In January 1976, the military pressured Kukrit to dissolve parliament. Elections were scheduled on 14 April . The months leading up to the election were particularly eventful: The head of the Socialist Party

312-636: A hub for tourism with expected earnings of 1.33 trillion baht in 2011. Three days before the 2007 general election , deputy party leader Juthamas Siriwan resigned from the party amidst a bribery scandal stemming from her tenure as governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and president of the Bangkok International Film Festival . In the election, the party won 24 seats in parliament: seven party-list candidates and 17 constituency candidates. Most of them were elected in districts in

364-577: A main BJT canvasser, Suban Chiraphanwanit, was shot dead. Eventually, BJT won 34 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, which observers have interpreted as disappointing. Subsequently, the party's Matchima -faction, led by Somsak Thepsuthin , tried to join the Pheu-Thai-led coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Yingluck Shinawatra , despite the party's ruling out cooperation with Pheu Thai before

416-547: A majority of seats in parliament. Pridi was appointed premier, but later conceded to Luang Thamrong Navasavat . A military coup led by Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram later overthrew the Thamrong government. The palace persuaded Marshal Plaek to appoint Khuang Aphaiwong as figurehead civilian prime minister. In subsequent elections on 29 January 1948, the Democrats won a majority for the first time, and reappointed Khuang as premier. Khuang packed his cabinet with palace allies, much to

468-548: A royally-appointed prime minister is undemocratic. It is, pardon me, a mess. It is irrational". Abhisit and his opposition parties allies boycotted the April 2006 elections , claiming it "diverted public attention" from Thaksin's corruption charges and his sale of Shin Corp . The boycott caused a constitutional crisis, prompting Thaksin to call another round of elections in October 2006, which

520-448: A trip to the south and visited monk Thanom, leading Seni to resign from the premiership in protest. His resignation was refused by parliament, but initial attempts to reshuffle his cabinet were vetoed by the king. The political tension finally culminated in the 6 October 1976 massacre , when Village Scouts and Red Gaur joined with some military and police to massacre at least 46 students protesting at Thammasat University . That evening,

572-434: A vote of a no confidence debate against the premier. They won 96 of 500 seats and 18.3 percent of the popular vote. The party's leader, Banyat Bantadtan , resigned after the election. On 6 March 2005, Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected new party leader. Upon succeeding the party's leadership from Banyat, Abhisit noted, "It will take a long time to revive the party because we need to look four years ahead and consider how to stay in

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624-536: Is a Thai political party . The oldest party in Thailand, it was founded as a royalist party; it now upholds a conservative and pro-market position. The Democrat Party made its best showings in parliament in 1948, 1976, and 1996. It has never won an outright parliamentary majority. The party's electoral support bases are southern Thailand and Bangkok, although the party’s strength in Bangkok has declined rapidly since

676-451: The 2004 Bangkok gubernatorial election ; the TRT Party did not submit a candidate. The Democrat Party lost further ground to Thai Rak Thai in the 2005 general election . In the election campaign, the Democrats had a populist platform, promoting job creation, universal education and health care, and law and order against crime and corruption. The party aimed to gain 201 seats, enough to launch

728-407: The 2019 general election . Since 2004 , Democrat candidates won three elections for the governorship of Bangkok . From 2005 to 2019, the Democrat Party was led by Abhisit Vejjajiva , former prime minister . The Thai name of the party, Prachathipat (ประชาธิปัตย์), is derived from the word prachathipatai (ประชาธิปไตย) which means 'democracy', 'democratic' or 'democrat'. The party said it wanted

780-571: The Social Action Party ) and many academics. The new constitution was promulgated on 7 October 1974. Legislative elections were held in January 1975, resulting in none of the 22 parties coming close to winning a majority. The Democrats, led by Seni Pramoj, formed a coalition government in February 1974. Seni was appointed premier, but the coalition was unstable, and was replaced in less than a month by

832-575: The "three tyrants". They later executed a coup against their own government on 17 November 1971, abrogating the constitution and running the kingdom through a National Executive Council. Beginning in 1972, popular demands for democratic freedoms began to grow. In response to the demands, the National Executive Council drafted a new charter in December 1972, which established a wholly appointed 299-member National Legislative Assembly. Opposition to

884-463: The 1932 Constitution, called for elections, the Democrats had been practically barred from government for the following 23 years for their anti-military stance, denying them chances to serve the people. Sarit Dhanarajata seized power from Marshal Plaek in 1957. Unlike Marshal Plaek, Sarit deified the throne, thus removing any advantage that the Democrats, who had previously been dominated by royalists, may have had. The junta did not immediately abrogate

936-454: The 1949 Constitution elevated the throne to its most powerful position since the 1932 overthrow of the absolute monarchy . Among its features was a senate whose members were to be appointed directly by the king. The constitution triggered protests among much of the public. It was attacked as contrary to the purpose of the 1932 revolution . Critics were branded republicans and communists. Subsequent elections saw military-backed parties winning

988-479: The 1952 constitution, but instead appointed Pote Sarasin as figurehead civilian premier. Elections were held on 15 December 1957, resulting in the Democrats losing to military-backed parties. Sarit's ally, General Thanom Kittikachorn , was appointed premier. Sarit later went to the US to seek treatment for liver cirrhosis . Eight months later, he recovered, returned and led another coup while dissolving parliament, abrogating

1040-452: The 1990s. The Democrat Party was the key member of the "People Power" movement in 1992 . The party's voter base is traditionally concentrated in southern Thailand and in Bangkok , where the party relies on the support from the capital's aristocratic , meritocratic , and educated middle and upper classes . In the 1990s, under the leadership of Chuan Leekpai , a native of Trang Province ,

1092-685: The Democrat Party prime minister. Many Puea Pandin's members of parliament defected to other parties ahead of the election in 2011 , hoping to increase their chances of being re-elected. By the end of the 2007-2011 term, 12 of the 32 Puea Pandin MPs had joined the Bhumjaithai Party , three had defected to Pheu Thai , two to the Democrats , two to Chartthaipattana , and one each to Matubhum and Tankun Pandin. The remaining nine representatives joined forces with their Chart Pattana Party colleagues, running under

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1144-469: The Democrat Party. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in 1946, the Democrat Party accused Pridi of having been the mastermind behind the king's death and spread this propaganda throughout the capital. Seni Pramoj's wife told the US chargé d'affaires that Pridi had the king assassinated, and Democrat Party members spread the same rumor to the British Embassy. A few days after the king's death,

1196-830: The Democrat-led coalition is Newin Chidchob . Due to his role as an executive of the PPP predecessor party, the Thai Rak Thai party which was dissolved in 2007, he became ineligible to be a party member for five years. It is alleged that army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda , coerced the MPs of the Friends of Newin Group faction in the PPP to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition. This secured enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elected prime minister. Bhumjaithai

1248-441: The Democrats did not boycott. The army seized power on 19 September and cancelled the upcoming election. Abhisit voiced displeasure at the 2006 coup that overthrew Thaksin, but otherwise did not protest it or the military junta that ruled Thailand for over a year. A fact-finding panel at the attorney-general's office found that the Democrat Party bribed other parties to boycott the April 2006 parliamentary election , which forced

1300-453: The Democrats quickly became the dominant party in southern Thailand . The influences of provincial politicians from the south into the party created considerable tension with the party's Bangkok establishment. Chuan's "Mr. Clean" image, however, made him personally popular with Democrat Party supporters throughout Thailand, and so the party managed to stay cohesive under his leadership. The first Chuan government (1992–1995) fell when members of

1352-570: The Northeastern Region ( Isan ), especially in the provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Surin . The party became a junior partner in the government coalition led by Samak Sundaravej and his PPP. Its representation increased to 32 seats after the Constitutional Court dissolved the PPP in the 2008 political crisis and its members defected to other parties. Puea Pandin then changed its allegiance and helped to elect Abhisit Vejjajiva of

1404-523: The PAD, which accused Thaksin of disloyalty to the throne and asked King Bhumibol to appoint a replacement prime minister. Thaksin Shinawatra dissolved the House of Representatives on 24 February 2006 and called for an election. On 24 March 2006 , Abhisit Vejjajiva publicly backed the People's Alliance for Democracy 's call for a royally-appointed government. Bhumibol, in a speech on 26 April 2006, responded, "Asking for

1456-516: The TRT enormous support from rural constituencies, unprecedented in Thailand's history. Opposition to the TRT government rose in Bangkok after Thaksin's family announced their tax-free sale of their 49.6 percent stake in Shin Corp to Temasek for almost 73.3 billion baht on 23 January 2006. The People's Alliance for Democracy began a series of anti-government protests. Several Democrat Party leaders also joined

1508-542: The cabinet were implicated in profiting from the Sor Phor Kor 4-01 land project documents distributed in Phuket Province. Chuan was again premier from 1997 to 2001, in the midst of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and its aftermath. The party lost a landslide election victory to Thaksin Shinawatra 's populist Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, winning 128 seats compared to the TRT's 248 in the 2001 general election . After

1560-435: The consternation of the military. The military later, claiming that they were supporters of constitutional monarchy , demanded that Khuang resign. Marshal Plaek replaced Khuang as prime minister. Although having no representatives in the cabinet, the Democrats had key representatives in the constitution drafting committee. Headed by Seni Pramoj and dominated by royalists under the direction of Prince Rangsit and Prince Dhani,

1612-538: The constitution, and ruling by revolutionary council. For the next nine years, there were no elections in Thailand, and the Democrat Party was dormant. Thanom Kittikachorn, who had succeeded Sarit after his death, was pressured to promulgate a democratic constitution on 20 June 1968, and hold elections in February 1969. Parties affiliated with Thanom won the election, and the Democrats joined the opposition due to their anti-dictatorship stance. Thanom, his son Narong, and his brother-in-law Praphas Charusathien became known as

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1664-546: The election in 2001, Thaksin Shinawatra the leader of Thai Rak Thai Party, became prime minister. New Aspiration Party has joined the government. Shortly thereafter. The New Aspiration Party was merged with the Thai Rak Thai Party . Mostly to join Thai Rak Thai party (the governing party) with Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh except Lieutenant Colonel Thita Rangsitpol Manitkul, WRTA Member of the Parliament and Deputy Secretary of

1716-827: The elections. The Pheu Thai Party rejected the participation of BJT members. On 14 September 2012, Anuthin Charnvirakul was elected the new leader of the Bhumjaithai Party during the party's general assembly to elect a new 11-member executive committee. He replaced his father Chaovarat Chanweerakul , who had resigned. Also elected were Saksayam Chidchob as the new secretary-general, Nathee Ratchakijprakarn as treasurer, Sora-ath Klinprathum as an executive committee member and party advisory chairman, and Supamas Issarapakdi as party spokeswoman. Bhumjaithai Party combines elements of conservatism , populism , and economic liberalism in its policy platform. The party's approach to governance

1768-482: The hearts of the people." The popularity of the populist Thai Rak Thai Party in Thai politics from 2001 to 2006 presented new challenges to the Democrat Party. The TRT championed populist policies with its focus on providing affordable and quality health care for all citizens, village-managed microcredit development funds, the government-sponsored One Tambon One Product program, and others. The populist policies earned

1820-591: The junta-administered 2007 parliamentary election , the People's Power Party won the largest share of the vote and formed a six-party coalition government. The Democrats' populist platform was poorly received in the central, north, and northeastern regions. The Democrat Party became the opposition party as it was the second-largest party in the House of Representatives. Bhumjaithai Party Bhumjaithai Party ( BJT ; Thai : พรรคภูมิใจไทย , RTGS :  Phak Phumchai Thai , IPA: [pʰák pʰuːm.t͡ɕaj tʰaj] ; lit.   ' Thai Pride Party ' )

1872-446: The king refused to sign the bill or return it to parliament, effectively vetoing it. As anti-leftist sentiments mounted, Praphas Charusathien returned shortly from exile and met the king. Students protesting Praphas' return were attacked by Red Gaur paramilitary units. On 19 September 1976, Thanom also returned from exile and was immediately ordained as a monk at Wat Bovornives. Massive protests erupted. The king and queen returned from

1924-520: The majority in the House; however the Senate was still dominated by Democrats and other royalists. As Marshal Plaek was still premier, tensions between the military and the Democrat/palace-alliance steadily increased. On 29 November 1951, the military and the police seized power, just as King Bhumibol's ship was returning to Thai waters. Although the military's 1952 constitution, which was similar to

1976-598: The military seized power and installed hard-line royalist Tanin Kraivixien as premier. The military coup to restore order was endorsed by the king, who declared it was "a manifestation of what the people clearly wanted." The new constitution did not express any obligation for the government to have a cabinet or elections, and gave the premier near-absolute powers. The Democrat Party, being led by Bhichai Rattakul , became an outspoken opponent of military rule in Thai politics during

2028-581: The new Chart Pattana Puea Pandin Party and winning 7 of 500 seats. After conflicts between the two parties, Puea Pandin returned to contest the 2014 general election on its own, but the election was declared invalid by the Constitutional Court . In the following 2019 general election, the party failed to gain seats. On 13 March 2023 the Election Commission of Thailand approved the dissolution of

2080-602: The parties affiliated with Pridi Phanomyong and the Progressive Party of brothers Seni and Kukrit Pramoj . In the January 1946 elections, the Pridi-led coalition had won a majority in parliament. However, Pridi declined the nomination as prime minister and the parliament appointed Khuang as premier. Khuang resigned in March 1946, after being defeated on a bill, and was replaced by Pridi. The smaller Progress Party later merged with

2132-512: The party chairman, and Police General Pracha Promnok as party chief adviser. General Pallop Pinmanee , adviser to the Internal Security Command Operation, accepted to become adviser to the party, overseeing security. At the party's first caucus, Puea Pandin leader Suwit Khunkitti vowed to win more than 60 seats in Parliament and promised to implement nine policies to improve the state of the Thai economy. By 28 October 2007,

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2184-588: The party had formed its finance and tourism team in the form of the party's Academic Council, chaired by former Deputy Prime Minister, Surakiart Sathirathai . Members included former Governor of the Bank of Thailand Vijit Supinich , former Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Supachai Pisitvanit , former Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Bunpod Hongthong and Finance specialists Vichien Techapaiboon and Nithit Pukkanasud . Although Surakiart Sathirathai

2236-1182: The party. Democrat Party (Thailand) Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The Democrat Party ( Thai : พรรคประชาธิปัตย์ ; RTGS :  Phak Prachathipat )

2288-453: The party. Offset to the Democrat Party (Thailand) (Opposition Party) remains the only MPs moving from the opposition party government. During her tenure as a member of the House of Representatives. In 2003, Chuan retired from his position as party leader. Banyat Bantadtan , a southerner and a close aide to Chuan, succeeded him after a closely fought leadership contest with Abhisit Vejjajiva. Democrat Party's candidate Apirak Kosayothin won

2340-455: The term to mean the people in whom democracy is vested. The Democrat Party was founded by Khuang Aphaiwong on 5 April 1946, but the party considers 6 April as the party's founding day, to coincide with Chakri Memorial Day , as a conservative and royalist party, following the January 1946 elections. Early members included royalists opposed to Pridi Phanomyong and former Seri Thai underground resistance members. The party competed against

2392-469: The three tyrants culminated on 14 October 1973, when 400,000 persons protested at the Democracy Monument . A violent crackdown and subsequent intervention by the king led to the appointment of Privy Councilor Sanya Dhammasakdi as premier. The three tyrants left the kingdom. Sanya established a constitution drafting committee, consisting of Kukrit Pramoj (who by this time had established and defected to

2444-587: Was assassinated, the Red Gaur attempted to bomb the headquarters of the New Force Party (a leftist party), and the Chart Thai Party was established with the slogan "Right Kills Left". Seni Pramoj's Democrats won the most seats in the election, and formed an unstable coalition government. Seni's government came under great pressure. A bill to extend elections to local levels was passed by parliament 149-19, but

2496-456: Was categorically considered to be populist, it sought to curb inflation while maintaining fiscal soundness, to apply the village-based microcredit development funds used in the Thaksin-led government, but do it as part of promoting royalist sufficiency economy policies in rural areas, and to strengthen the country's long-term competitiveness through universal education through high school. In

2548-571: Was founded on 5 November 2008, in anticipation of the 2 December 2008 Constitutional Court of Thailand ruling that dissolved its " de facto predecessor", the Neutral Democratic Party , along with the People's Power Party (PPP), and the Thai Nation Party . After the dissolutions, former members of the Neutral Democratic Party and former members of the PPP faction, the Friends of Newin Group defected to this party. Bhumjaithai has

2600-414: Was one of 111 TRT executives banned from politics for five years, he said that the party's Academic Council only provides policy guidelines and is not part of the political party. The tourism team was led by former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Juthamas Siriwan and former senators Suradej Yasawat and Jirayu Vasurut . All three were also deputy party leaders. Their main policy was to make Thailand

2652-408: Was popular in his former support bases in the central, north, and northeastern regions and attempted to maintain an active role in Thai politics by supporting the People's Power Party , which had become the successor party of the banned TRT. Abhisit promoted populist policies in his party's campaign as the Democrat Party's platform in the 2007 parliamentary election . He claimed that while his platform

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2704-459: Was the second largest coalition partner in the Abhisit government , supplying the ministers of Transport , Commerce , and Interior ( Chaovarat Chanweerakul ), and four deputy ministers. For the general election on 3 July 2011 , Bhumjaithai forged an alliance with coalition partner Chartthaipattana Party . The party aimed at winning as many as 111 seats in the new parliament. During the campaign,

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