The People’s Party, the newly renamed iteration of the Move Forward Party, has officially embarked on its political journey, as predicted by many, including Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This move mirrors the transition that occurred in 2020 when the Future Forward Party was dissolved and subsequently became the Move Forward Party.
On August 9, 2024, all 143 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Move Forward Party formally registered as members of the People’s Party at the Thai Summit Building in Bangkok, marking a 100% participation rate.
Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, a 37-year-old former deputy secretary-general of the Move Forward Party, has been elected as the leader of the People’s Party. Alongside him, Sarayut Jailak, former director of the Move Forward Party, has been appointed as the new party secretary. Both individuals have longstanding ties with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, chairman of the Progressive Movement and former leader of the Future Forward Party.
In a statement, Natthaphong expressed optimism about the People’s Party’s future, drawing comparisons to the success of its predecessors. He predicted that the new party would surpass the achievements of both the Move Forward and Future Forward parties, aiming for a landslide victory in the upcoming 2027 general election, reported KhaoSod.
When asked if he had received any advice from Thanathorn, Natthaphong confirmed that they had spoken recently. Thanathorn advised him to develop himself, consider policies from various perspectives, and work diligently if he wishes to position himself as a prime ministerial candidate.
Over the weekend, the People’s Party initiated a membership drive to solidify its presence as the successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party. As of this morning, more than 27,700 individuals had registered as members, with the party aiming to reach 100,000 members. In the first 24 hours following its establishment, the party also raised over 16 million baht in donations. The annual membership fee has been set at 50 baht, with lifetime membership requiring a payment of between 350 to 500 baht.
Natthaphong, nicknamed ‘Teng,’ was born on May 18, 1987, into a business family, a background he shares with prominent political figures such as Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Pita Limjaroenrat. Both Thanathorn and Pita have been banned from politics for 10 years following the dissolution of their respective parties by the Constitutional Court.
Natthaphong is the fourth son of Suchart Ruangpanyawut, Managing Director of Chananthorn Development Group Co., Ltd., and Chairman of Ruangpanya Housing Co., Ltd. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from Chulalongkorn University and has a background in the tech industry, having served as an executive at Absolute.co.th, a cloud solution provider.
His political career began when he was elected as an MP for Bangkok’s 28th constituency under the Future Forward Party in the 2019 general election. In the 2023 election, he ran as a party-list MP candidate for the Move Forward Party and held the position of Deputy Secretary-General for Data System and Digital Development.
In an interview with Prachachat Business, Natthaphong discussed his longstanding ambition to contribute to society through politics. He recounted how he initially joined the Future Forward Party and successfully ran for office in Bang Khae district, emphasizing the party’s message that ordinary people can contribute to society through their knowledge and experience.
Natthaphong’s work within both the Future Forward and Move Forward parties has focused on information technology, notably developing a donation system that raised 20 million baht during elections. He has also served on the budget committee.
When asked about his priorities if he were to join the government, Natthaphong highlighted the importance of “open government,” advocating for a central portal that would connect private-sector software developers with the government to provide services across various sectors. He emphasized the potential for local government organizations to improve efficiency, particularly in areas such as tax collection, and proposed the creation of a digital catalog from which local governments could choose digital services.
Natthaphong also expressed his intention to reform the Anti-Fake News Center and amend the Computer Crimes Act, arguing that the law should focus on protecting computer systems rather than controlling content.
On July 5, 2023, Natthaphong submitted an asset declaration to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) following his departure from the MP position in March 2023. He declared assets totaling 402.5 million baht, with the majority consisting of investments in real estate and company shares. His wife, Mrs. Natthaporn Chan-in, declared assets amounting to 5.1 million baht.
After being elected as the leader of the People’s Party on August 9, Natthaphong reiterated his commitment to leading the party to victory in the 2027 election, with the goal of securing enough seats to form a single-party government. The People’s Party, which received over 10 million baht in donations and registered more than 19,000 members within its first 10 hours of existence, aims to build on the legacy of the dissolved Move Forward Party.
The party also plans to propose an amendment to Article 112, with Natthaphong emphasizing that the court’s ruling does not prohibit such changes. He underscored that the party would proceed cautiously, ensuring that all legal aspects are thoroughly examined before making any proposals.
