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The Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT; th, พรรคไทยรักไทย, , ; "Thais Love Thais Party") was a Thai political party founded in 1998. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under its founder,
Prime Minister A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra ( th, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร; ; ; Chinese: 丘達新; cnr, Taksin Šinavatra; born 26 July 1949), is a Thai businessman, politician and visiting professor. He served in the Thai Police from 1973 to 1987, a ...
. During its brief existence, Thai Rak Thai won the three general elections it contested. Eight months after a
military coup A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such ...
forced Thaksin to remain in exile, the party was dissolved on 30 May 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

Thai Rak Thai was registered on 15 July 1998, by telecommunications entrepreneur
Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra ( th, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร; ; ; Chinese: 丘達新; cnr, Taksin Šinavatra; born 26 July 1949), is a Thai businessman, politician and visiting professor. He served in the Thai Police from 1973 to 1987, a ...
and 22 other founding members, including
Somkid Jatusripitak Somkid Jatusripitak ( th, สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์, , ; born 15 July 1953) is a Thai economist, business theorist, and politician. A mentee of Philip Kotler, he has (co-)authored books on competitiveness and ta ...
,
Thanong Bidaya Thanong Bidaya ( th, ทนง พิทยะ; ), born Thanong Lamyai (ทนง ลำใย), is a Thai politician and deposed finance minister. After the military overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, he remained in Singapore wher ...
, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Purachai Piumsombun,
Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya ( th, ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา, Thammarak Itsarangkun na Ayutthaya) is a former Thai military officer, member of parliament, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai P ...
, and
Prommin Lertsuridej Prommin Lertsuridej, M.D. (Thai:พรหมินทร์ เลิศสุริย์เดช) (born 5 November 1954) was a Thai politician, former student leader, former Secretary General to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Deputy ...
. The Thai Rak Thai party had a
populist Populism refers to a range of political stances that emphasize the idea of "the people" and often juxtapose this group against " the elite". It is frequently associated with anti-establishment and anti-political sentiment. The term developed ...
platform, appealing to indebted farmers, who had become indebted as a result of the
Asian financial crisis The Asian financial crisis was a period of financial crisis that gripped much of East Asia and Southeast Asia beginning in July 1997 and raised fears of a worldwide economic meltdown due to financial contagion. However, the recovery in 1998–1 ...
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 included a 30 baht per hospital visit scheme, an extended debt moratorium for farmers, one million baht
microcredit :''This article is specific to small loans, often provided in a pooled manner. For direct payments to individuals for specific projects, see Micropatronage. For financial services to the poor, see Microfinance. For small payments, see Micropayme ...
development funds for all rural districts, and the
One Tambon One Product One Tambon One Product (OTOP) is a local entrepreneurship stimulus program designed by Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his 2001-2006 Thai Rak Thai government. The program aimed to support locally made and marketed produ ...
project. However, it neglected some rural areas and the southern provinces, since Thaksin openly stated he saw no reason to do anything for areas that did not vote for him. Thai Rak Thai won the legislative election of 2001 by a landslide over the ruling Democrat Party led by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. Forty percent of elected MPs were freshmen. Thai Rak Thai was able to negotiate a merger with the
New Aspiration Party The New Aspiration Party (''Phak Khwam Wang Mai th, พรรคความหวังใหม่'') is a political party in Thailand. The party was established in 1990 by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh after his retirement as Commander-In-Chie ...
and a coalition with the
Thai Nation Party Thai Nation Party, or Chart Thai Party ( th, พรรคชาติไทย, ) 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 ...
, resulting in a majority of 325 of 500 seats for the coalition government of Thaksin Shinawatra. 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 is the name of legislative bodies in many countries and sub-national entitles. In many countries, the House of Representatives is the lower house of a bicameral legislature, with the corresponding upper house often c ...
. 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, TRT won 61.6 percent of the vote and 460 out of 500 seats, many without any opposition, and the rest remaining vacant because the election was boycotted by opposition parties in the
first past the post In a first-past-the-post electoral system (FPTP or FPP), formally called single-member plurality voting (SMP) when used in single-member districts or informally choose-one voting in contrast to ranked voting, or score voting, voters cast their ...
electoral system.


Factions

As an amalgam of several different parties, Thai Rak Thai politicians owed their allegiance to different factions. Precise figures on faction membership do not exist, but 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 election, which was dissolved on 24 February 2006. *Wang Bua Ban – Led by Thaksin's sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat, this faction is one of the party's most important groupings, as it included many members of prime minister's inner circle. The faction's base is Thaksin's home province of
Chiang Mai Chiang Mai (, from th, เชียงใหม่ , nod, , เจียงใหม่ ), sometimes written as Chiengmai or Chiangmai, is the largest city in northern Thailand, the capital of Chiang Mai province and the second largest city in ...
. It was estimated that Wang Bua Ban commanded the support of over 30 MPs (as of December 2005), mostly from the northern region. *Wang Nam Yom – Originally a splinter group from Wang Bua Ban, Wang Nam Yom was led by then-Labour Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Industry Minister
Suriya Jungrungreangkit Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( th, สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ; ; born 10 December 1954) is a Thai politician and one of the leaders of the Palang Pracharath Party. From 2002 to 2005, as a member of the Thai Rak ...
, who also served as Thai Rak Thai's Secretary-General. With the financial backing of Suriya, whose family controls the largest auto parts manufacturer in Thailand, some observers claimed that this faction had the resources to form a party in its own right. The group is said to include over 100 MPs, hailing from the northern,
northeastern The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each se ...
, and
central Central is an adjective usually referring to being in the center of some place or (mathematical) object. Central may also refer to: Directions and generalised locations * Central Africa, a region in the centre of Africa continent, also known as ...
regions of Thailand. *Wang Nam Yen – This was the most notorious faction, led by the veteran political power-broker,
Sanoh Thienthong Sanoh Thienthong ( th, เสนาะ เทียนทอง, born 1 April 1934) is a Thai politician. He is a Member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai Party list. Before he joined the Pheu Thai Party in 2011, he was the leader of the minor Prac ...
, a former Interior Minister who held the title of Chief Advisor to the Thai Rak Thai Party. A native of
Sa Kaeo Province Sa Kaeo ( th, :wikt: สระแก้ว, สระแก้ว, ) is one of the 76 Provinces of Thailand, provinces (''changwat'') and lies in Eastern Thailand#Administrative divisions, eastern Thailand about 200 km from Bangkok. Neighbor ...
, Sanoh in the 1990s built a political empire that came to dominate several border provinces in
eastern Eastern may refer to: Transportation *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai *Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991 *Eastern Air Li ...
and
northeastern The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each se ...
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 Party Thai Nation Party, or Chart Thai Party ( th, พรรคชาติไทย, ) 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 ...
, which went on to win the elections held in 1995. Amid squabbles with Chart Thai leader
Banharn Silpa-archa Banharn Silpa-archa (also spelled ''Banhan'', ''Silapa''-, ''Sinlapa''-, -''acha''; th, บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา, , ; ; 19 August 1932 – 23 April 2016) was a Thai politician. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1995 ...
, Sanoh then defected to the
New Aspiration Party The New Aspiration Party (''Phak Khwam Wang Mai th, พรรคความหวังใหม่'') is a political party in Thailand. The party was established in 1990 by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh after his retirement as Commander-In-Chie ...
, 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 elections The following elections occurred in the year 2001. Africa * 2001 Beninese presidential election * 2001 Cape Verdean parliamentary election * 2001 Cape Verdean presidential election * 2001 Chadian presidential election * 2001 Gabonese legislat ...
. 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 commanded the loyalty of only 37 MPs. He and his wife resigned from the TRT in February 2006 to establish the Royalist People's Party. *Wang Phayanak – This group was 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 election. Most of the faction's following of approximately 30 MPs (as of December 2005) hail from the northeastern region, where the group often competes with Wang Nam Yen for influence. *Wang Lam Takong – This faction was composed of the remnants of the old Chart Pattana (National Development) Party, which merged into Thai Rak Thai before the 2005 elections. Chart Pattana's former leader, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, served as head of this group. The faction's influence derives from its strength in the country's second-most populous province,
Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Ratchasima ( th, นครราชสีมา, ) is one of the four major cities of Isan, Thailand, known as the "big four of Isan". The city is commonly known as Korat (, ), a shortened form of its name. It is the governmental seat of ...
, 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 was Sudarat Keyuraphan and
Chalerm Yubamrung Chalerm Yubamrung ( th, เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง, , ) (born 10 June 1947), is a Thai politician. He was a Member of Parliament representing the Pheu Thai Party, and was one of the Deputy Prime Ministers of Yingluck Shinawatra ...
*Chonburi Faction – Former Sports and Tourism Minister
Sontaya Kunplome Sontaya Kunplome ( th, สนธยา คุณปลื้ม, ; born 10 December 1963) is a Thai politician. He was appointed political advisor to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in April 2018. Later in September 2018, he was appointed Patt ...
led this faction, which split from the
Chart Thai Party Thai Nation Party, or Chart Thai Party ( th, พรรคชาติไทย, ) 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 ...
before the 2005 elections to join Thai Rak Thai. Sontaya's father is the infamous
Somchai Khunpluem Somchai Khunpluem, alternatively spelled Kunplome ( th, สมชาย คุณปลื้ม; 30 September 1937 – 17 June 2019), was a Thai politician, businessman and organized crime boss. He was also known by the nickname ''"Kamnan Poh"'' ( ...
, the "godfather" of
Chonburi Chonburi ( th, ชลบุรี, , IAST: , ) is the capital of Chonburi Province and Mueang Chonburi District in Thailand. It is about 100 km southeast of Bangkok, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Its name means 'city of water'. Chonb ...
who is better known as "
Kamnan A kamnan ( th, กำนัน) is a Thai governing official at the tambon (subdistrict) level. It is usually translated as "subdistrict headman". The position of a kamnan was introduced with the ''Thesaphiban'' administrative reforms near the end ...
Po." The dominant political force in the
eastern Eastern may refer to: Transportation *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai *Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991 *Eastern Air Li ...
provinces of
Chonburi Chonburi ( th, ชลบุรี, , IAST: , ) is the capital of Chonburi Province and Mueang Chonburi District in Thailand. It is about 100 km southeast of Bangkok, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Its name means 'city of water'. Chonb ...
and Rayong, this faction counts approximately seven MPs under its wing. *Buriram Faction – Like the Chonburi Faction, this group also defected from the
Chart Thai Party Thai Nation Party, or Chart Thai Party ( th, พรรคชาติไทย, ) 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 ...
before the 2005 elections. The faction's leader is Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, probably one of the most popular members of Thai Rak Thai and at the time was considered to be one of Thaksin's right hand men. It had a solid base in Newin's home province of
Buriram Buriram (, , , 'city of happiness') is a town (''thesaban mueang'') in Thailand, capital of Buriram Province, about northeast of Bangkok. The town occupies ''tambon'' Nai Mueang of Mueang Buriram District. In 2012 it had a population of 27,862 ...
and in neighboring Surin Province. *Phor Mod Dam – This group, also known as "Rim Nam", was led by Deputy House Speaker Suchart Tancharoen, a key figure in the former
New Aspiration Party The New Aspiration Party (''Phak Khwam Wang Mai th, พรรคความหวังใหม่'') is a political party in Thailand. The party was established in 1990 by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh after his retirement as Commander-In-Chie ...
, which merged with Thai Rak Thai after the
2001 elections The following elections occurred in the year 2001. Africa * 2001 Beninese presidential election * 2001 Cape Verdean parliamentary election * 2001 Cape Verdean presidential election * 2001 Chadian presidential election * 2001 Gabonese legislat ...
. The faction has around 15 members. *Maleenont Faction – Led by Sports and Tourism Minister (as of February 2006)
Pracha Maleenont The Maleenont family ( th, มาลีนนท์) is a Thai family of Chinese descent, consisting of the descendants of media mogul Vichai Maleenont (16 August 1919 – 8 October 2018), who founded BEC World, the operator of television Channel ...
, whose family controls the local broadcasting and entertainment group
BEC World BEC World Public Company Limited is a Thailand, Thai media conglomerate, best known as the operator of television Channel 3 (Thailand), Channel 3. It was founded in 1990 and listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 1995, though the group began do ...
. This group's influence derives from the
Maleenont family The Maleenont family ( th, มาลีนนท์) is a Thai family of Chinese descent, consisting of the descendants of media mogul Vichai Maleenont (16 August 1919 – 8 October 2018), who founded BEC World, the operator of television Channel ...
'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 Shinawatra, the wife of Prime Minister Thaksin, is said to allow him to wield considerable influence over party and government affairs.


After the September 2006 coup


Whereabouts of party leaders after the coup

On the evening of 19 September 2006, the Thai military seized control of Bangkok to take over the government.
Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra ( th, ทักษิณ ชินวัตร; ; ; Chinese: 丘達新; cnr, Taksin Šinavatra; born 26 July 1949), is a Thai businessman, politician and visiting professor. He served in the Thai Police from 1973 to 1987, a ...
was in New York City attending a meeting of the
United Nations General Assembly The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA or GA; french: link=no, Assemblée générale, AG) is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), serving as the main deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UN. Curr ...
. Most of the TRT executive leadership were also abroad: Deputy Premier Surakiart Sathirathai was with Thaksin in New York, Finance Minister
Thanong Bidaya Thanong Bidaya ( th, ทนง พิทยะ; ), born Thanong Lamyai (ทนง ลำใย), is a Thai politician and deposed finance minister. After the military overthrew the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, he remained in Singapore wher ...
was in Singapore attending the annual meeting of the
World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. The World Bank is the collective name for the Interna ...
/ IMF, Commerce Minister
Somkid Jatusripitak Somkid Jatusripitak ( th, สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์, , ; born 15 July 1953) is a Thai economist, business theorist, and politician. A mentee of Philip Kotler, he has (co-)authored books on competitiveness and ta ...
was attending the Thai-France Cultural Exhibition in Paris with Foreign Minister
Kantathi Suphamongkhon Kantathi Suphamongkhon ( Thai กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล, born 3 April 1952), a Thai diplomat, politician, university professor and a real estate developer. He served as the 39th minister of foreign affairs of Thailand from 1 ...
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 Police General Chitchai Wannasathit ( th, ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์, ; ; born 13 August 1946 in Ubon Ratchathani Province) was the caretaker prime minister of Thailand from April to May 2006, when Thaksin Shinawatra took ...
and Defence Minister
Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya ( th, ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา, Thammarak Itsarangkun na Ayutthaya) is a former Thai military officer, member of parliament, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai P ...
were in Thailand and were immediately arrested and detained by the junta. Secretary-General to the Premier
Prommin Lertsuridej Prommin Lertsuridej, M.D. (Thai:พรหมินทร์ เลิศสุริย์เดช) (born 5 November 1954) was a Thai politician, former student leader, former Secretary General to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Deputy ...
was also arrested. Natural Resources and Environmental Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Deputy Agriculture Minister
Newin Chidchop Newin Chidchob ( th, เนวิน ชิดชอบ, born 4 October 1958) is a Thai politician from Buriram Province. As a member of several political parties, Newin and his allies eventually joined the Thai Rak Thai Party of Thaksin Shinawatr ...
were ordered to report to the junta by 21 September. Both reported as ordered and were detained. Several party executives including
Chaturon Chaisang Chaturon Chaisang or Chaisaeng ( th, จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง, , born January 1, 1956) is a Thai politician. He was a government member for several terms, serving as Minister of Justice, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of ...
, Phumtham Wechayachai, Suranand Vejjajiva,
Veera Musikapong Veerakarn Musikapong ( th, วีระกานต์ มุสิกพงศ์, ), born Veera Musikapong ( th, วีระ มุสิกพงศ์) on 24 May 1948 in Ranot, Songkhla Province, is a Thai politician. Veera was government sp ...
, Party Deputy and Industry Minister
Suriya Jungrungreangkit Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( th, สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ; ; born 10 December 1954) is a Thai politician and one of the leaders of the Palang Pracharath Party. From 2002 to 2005, as a member of the Thai Rak ...
and former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook were reported to be in Thailand and 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 Chaisang Chaturon Chaisang or Chaisaeng ( th, จาตุรนต์ ฉายแสง, , born January 1, 1956) is a Thai politician. He was a government member for several terms, serving as Minister of Justice, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of ...
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 Juangroongruangkit ( th, สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ; ; born 10 December 1954) is a Thai politician and one of the leaders of the Palang Pracharath Party. From 2002 to 2005, as a member of the Thai Rak ...
, 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 2 October 2006, Thaksin Shinawatra and his former deputy, Somkid Jatusripitak, resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party, in all probability ending it as a political force.


Party dissolution

The party's future was in doubt following the
military coup A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such ...
that ousted Thaksin's government in September 2006. The party was dissolved on 30 May 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. Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 110 members of the party were barred from participating in politics for a five-year period, with only eight of 119 charged acquitted. The remaining MPs and members of the party reorganized in the People's Power Party.


General election results


Further reading

* * *


References


External links


ARDA – TRT FactionsA look at Thaksin's cabinet – 2Bangkok.com"Bangkokian: Pongsak Carves Out His Own Turf," ''The Nation'', 23 December 2005
{{Thaksin Shinawatra Defunct political parties in Thailand Political parties established in 1998 Banned political parties in Thailand Political parties disestablished in 2007 1998 establishments in Thailand