Move Forward Party
พรรคก้าวไกล
AbbreviationMFP
LeaderChaithawat Tulathon
Secretary-GeneralApichat Sirisunthon[1]
SpokespersonParit Wacharasindhu
Deputy leaders
  • Phicharn Chaowapatanawong
  • Nuttawut Buaprathum
  • Supisarn Bhakdinarinath
  • Sirikanya Tansakun
TreasurerNateepat Kulsetthasit
Party Member RegistrarNakornphong Supanimitrakul
Advisors to the Leader ChairPita Limjaroenrat
Founded1 May 2014[2]
(Ruam Pattana Chart Thai Party)
19 January 2019
(Phung Luang Party)
7 December 2019
(Move Forward Party)
Preceded byFuture Forward Party (de facto)[3]
Headquarters167 Future Forward Building
Bang Kapi, Bangkok, Thailand
Think tankThink Forward Center[4]
Membership (2023)Increase 84,553[5]
Ideology
Political positionCentre-left[16]
Regional affiliationNetwork of Social Democracy in Asia[17]
Colours  Orange
Sloganการเมืองดี ปากท้องดี มีอนาคต (2023)[18]
(Good politics, good living, good future)
Anthem
"ก้าวไกลก้าวหน้า"[19]
"Move Forward"
House of Representatives
148 / 500
Bangkok Metropolitan Council
11 / 50
Website
moveforwardparty.org

The Move Forward Party (Thai: พรรคก้าวไกล, RTGS: Phak Kao Klai, pronounced [pʰák kâːw klāj] ⓘ) is a social democratic and progressive political party in Thailand. It opposes the remaining influence of the military junta which ruled the country from 2014 to 2019. It was founded in 2014 as the Ruam Pattana Chart Thai Party (Thai: พรรคร่วมพัฒนาชาติไทย) and later changed its name to the Phung Luang Party (Thai: พรรคผึ้งหลวง), but after the 2019 Thai general election, reverted to its original name. It obtained its current name in 2020 after becoming the de facto successor to the dissolved Future Forward Party.

History

The party was officially founded on 1 May 2014 as the Ruam Pattana Chart Thai Party.[20]

In early 2020, the party became a de facto successor to the Future Forward Party, which had been dissolved by a controversial Constitutional Court order, as following the decision, 55 of Future Forward's 65 MPs (led by Pita Limjaroenrat) announced their plan to join. They vowed to continue the progressive and anti-junta agenda of Future Forward. The party's name was then changed to Move Forward, along with the release of a new logo similar to that of Future Forward.[21]

2023 election

The party won 36.23 percent of the vote in the 2023 general election, gaining 151 seats and becoming the biggest party in the House of Representatives, which caused a major electoral upset.[22] Following this success, MFP and seven other parties announced the formation of a coalition aiming to form a government with Pita as prime minister. While the coalition controlled a majority in the lower house, this was not enough to secure the premiership as under the military-drafted constitution, the prime minister is elected by both the elected lower house and the military-appointed senate,[23] and Pita lost his bid to become prime minister on 13 July 2023 after failing to secure enough votes in Parliament. He received 324 votes, 51 votes short of the 375 vote threshold. He also received 182 votes against him with 199 abstentions. In the Senate, where he faced the most opposition, he received 13 votes.[24][25] Shortly after this, several protests were held in Bangkok in support of Move Forward and Pita, with smaller protests taking place in Phuket.[25]

On 19 July, Pita was suspended from being a MP by the Constitutional Court of Thailand over his shares in the defunct broadcaster ITV he inherited from his father Pongsak Limjaroenrat. While this did not disqualify him from becoming prime minister, Parliament decided on the same day that parliamentary regulations did not allow re-nomination of a failed candidate.[26][27] Move Forward had previously stated that should it become clear it will not win, the party would instead allow coalition partner Pheu Thai, who won the second most votes in the 2023 election, to nominate their own candidate, most likely Paetongtarn Shinawatra or Srettha Thavisin.[28] After holding talks with other parties, who expressed unwillingness to support any coalition including Move Forward, Pheu Thai announced that it would break up the eight-party coalition and instead attempt to form a coalition that excludes Move Forward.[29]

On 15 August, Chaithawat Tulathon announced that the party would not vote of a Pheu Thai candidate for prime minister.[30] This was a result of Pheu Thai planning to expand its coalition to include more conservative parties, such as Bhumjaithai, and parties that supported the military junta, such as United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharat, with Move Forward stating that it was not the will of the people.[31]

On 25 August, Sripatum University and D-vote published a poll results conducted between 22 and 24 August on the topic of "If there is an election today, Which party will you vote for?". Move Forward has gained a significant amount of support by over 62.39% since Pheu Thai split with Move Forward in the government formation and formed a government with pro-junta parties.[32]

Party leadership change

On 23 September 2023 at a party general meeting, Chaithawat Tulathon was elected as the new leader of the Move Forward Party to succeed Pita Limjaroenrat, who stepped down earlier this month due to continuing uncertainty about his status as an MP. Apichart Sirisunthon was appointed as the new secretary-general, taking over from Mr Chaithawat. Additionally, Mr. Pita assumed the role of chairman in a newly formed three-member advisory group. Phicharn Chaowapattanawong, Nattawut Buaprathum, Supisan Phakdeenarunat and Sirikanya Tansakul were named deputy party leaders and Parit Watcharasindhu as the party's spokesperson.[33]

Sexual assualt scandal

Two MFP MPs, Wuttiphong Thonglour of Prachinburi province and Sirin Sanguansin of Bangkok, were found guilty of sexual assault. Bencha Saengchantra has said that the party will decide on whether to expel them from the party.[34]

Ideology and political positions

The Move Forward Party is a progressive centre-left political party. They are known for their pro-democracy platform and their aim to remove military influence in Thai politics. The party's base of support mainly consists of young and educated urbanites mostly found in Bangkok and its populous suburbs.[35][36][37]

Some of their policies include the legalisation of same-sex marriage, economic equality, social welfare programs, devolution of government, scrapping military conscription, seeking a referendum concerning the rewriting of the constitution, and reforming the monarchy.[36][38][39][40] It also aims to amend Thailand's strict lèse-majesté laws, as well as supports scrutinizing the royal budget.[22]

In 2023, the party ran on a platform emphasizing the "3Ds" of demilitarization, demonopolization, and decentralization, which Limjaroenrat said would lead to democratization, peace process, and reform.[41]

2023 Manifesto

Social policy[42]

  • Allow elections for provincial governors
  • Reform the Lèse-majesté laws
  • Reduce military influence in politics
  • Reduce bureaucracy & promote transparency
  • Replace military conscription with a voluntary system
  • Draft & implement a new democratic constitution
  • Decentralize the central government
  • Decriminalize sex work, adult toys & films
  • Legalize same-sex marriage
  • Promote gender equality & reduce domestic violence
  • Promote LGBT+ rights

Economic policy[43]

  • Raising the minimum wage to ฿450 (Adjusted with inflation every year)
  • Break up monopolies and increase competition in the economy
  • Encourage health/wellness & green tourism
  • Promote the freedom for workers to join labor unions & collectively bargain
  • Reduce tax burdens for SMEs

Welfare policy[44][45]

  • Establish a modern welfare state
  • Establish a 40-hour workweek (People working over 40 hr. must be paid overtime)
  • Expand child benefits (฿3000 gift for newborns & ฿1200/month for each children)
  • Expand maternity leave to 180 days (for both parents)
  • Expand childcare services
  • Increase funding for mental health services
  • Promote fair employment benefits & contracts

Education policy[46]

  • Reform the education system to be friendlier & safer for students
  • Reform school curriculum to include more choices for students
  • Encourage schools to be bilingual
  • Increase funding for public education
  • Allow students to have more freedom in their choices of clothes (no mandatory uniforms)
  • Improve work-life balance for students

Election results

General elections

Election Total seats won Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election Election leader
2023
151 / 500
 14,233,895 [47] 36.23% Increase151 seats; Opposition Pita Limjaroenrat

Bangkok gubernatorial elections

Election Candidate Total votes Share of votes Outcome
2022 Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn 253,938 9.57% Lost Red X

Bangkok Metropolitan Council elections

Election Total seats won Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election
2022
14 / 50
 485,830 20.85% Increase14 seats; Majority coalition

References

  1. ↑ "ก้าวไกล เคาะ "ชัยธวัช" หัวหน้าพรรค "พิธา" นั่งที่ปรึกษา "อภิชาติ" เลขา-"ไอติม" โฆษก" (in Thai). Thairath. 23 September 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
  2. ↑ "ประกาศนายทะเบียนพรรคการเมือง เรื่อง รับจดแจ้งการจัดตั้งพรรคร่วมพัฒนาชาติไทย" (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette. 131: 33–66. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "Thailand's Disbanded Future Forward Party Relaunched as New Group, Move Forward". Straits Times. 8 March 2020. Archived from the original on 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  4. ↑ "ก้าวไกลเปิดตัว Think Tank".
  5. ↑ "ข้อมูลสถิติสมาชิกพรรคก้าวไกล". พรรคก้าวไกล. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  6. ↑ "Move Forward Party to be Future home for 55 FFP MPs". Bangkok Post. Bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "Stepping out of shadows". Bangkok Post. Bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "'Progressive Movement' born". Bangkok Post. Bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "Moving Forward: 55 Disbanded MPs Join New Party". Khaosodenglish.com. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  10. ↑ "Thai lawmakers from dissolved prominent opposition party to join new party". Reuters. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  11. ↑ Boonbandit, Tappanai (9 March 2020). "Moving Forward: 55 Disbanded MPs Join New Party". Khaosod English. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  12. ↑ "New Thai group to replace dissolved Future Forward Party, SE Asia News & Top Stories". The Straits Times. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "50 MPs join Move Forward". Bangkok Post. Bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "Change at the top?". Bangkok Post. Bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  15. ↑ Regan, Helen (10 March 2020). "His party was banned. He faces jail. But Thailand's Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit vows to fight on - CNN". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  16. ↑ [12][13][14][15]
  17. ↑ "About".
  18. ↑ "การเมืองดี ปากท้องดี มีอนาคต #ต้องก้าวไกล - พรรคก้าวไกล" (in Thai). 22 January 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
  19. ↑ Title of the Video. YouTube. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  20. ↑ "พรรคร่วมพัฒนาชาติไทย เปลี่ยนชื่อเป็น "ก้าวไกล"". สำนักข่าวไทย อสมท. 6 March 2020.
  21. ↑ "Move Forward Party to Be Future Home for 55 FFP MPs". Bangkok Post. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  22. 1 2 Ghoshal, Devjyot; Wongcha-um, Panu (17 May 2023). "Leader of Thailand's Move Forward party faces hurdles on path to power". Reuters. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  23. ↑ "Thailand's Move Forward Party, allies agree on coalition platform". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  24. ↑ "Thailand's only candidate for PM was blocked from power. Here's why that could trigger 'an uprising'". ABC News. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  25. 1 2 Connor, Mitch (14 July 2023). "The 'forward' march: Devoted MFP supporters unite in Phuket to back Pita Limjaroenrat's PM bid". Thaiger. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  26. ↑ "Pita Limjaroenrat: Thai reformist leader who won election will not be PM". BBC News. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  27. ↑ "Parliament rejects Pita's renomination for PM". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  28. ↑ Ives, Mike (19 July 2023). "An Anxious Thailand Awaits a New Leader: Here's What to Know". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  29. ↑ "Progressive Thai party that won May election is excluded from coalition to form the next government". AP News. 2 August 2023. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  30. ↑ "Thai Move Forward won't back Pheu Thai Party's PM bid - official". www.msn.com. 15 August 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  31. ↑ "MFP won't vote for Pheu Thai PM candidate". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  32. ↑ "โพลชี้ หลังตั้งรัฐบาล พรรคก้าวไกล คะแนนนิยมเพิ่มขึ้น ร้อยละ 62.39". Twitter. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  33. ↑ "Chaithawat elected Move Forward leader". The Bangkok Post. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  34. ↑ "Move Forward grapples with sexual harassment scandal, may expel 2 MPs". nationthailand. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  35. ↑ Kittisilpa, Juarawee; Ghoshal, Devjyot (24 April 2023). "Thailand opposition leader says unity needed to beat military". Reuters. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  36. 1 2 "Move Forward reveals 100-day roadmap". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  37. ↑ "Thailand's Conservative Old Guard Has Snuffed Out the Popular Demand for Change". jacobin.com. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  38. ↑ "Lèse-majesté Abolition Push Is Gaining Ground in Thailand". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  39. ↑ Hammer, Jerry (27 April 2023). "THAI PARTY HOPES PROTESTERS WILL BECOME PRO-REFORM VOTERS". Khaosod English.
  40. ↑ "Thailand is at a 'crossroads', says Move Forward Party as it seeks youth vote". South China Morning Post. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  41. ↑ "Early returns show opposition parties are poised for victory in Thai elections". NPR.
  42. ↑ "ประชาธิปไตยเต็มใบ". election66.moveforwardparty.org. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  43. ↑ "เศรษฐกิจโตเพื่อทุกคน". election66.moveforwardparty.org. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  44. ↑ "สวัสดิการครบวงจร". election66.moveforwardparty.org. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  45. ↑ "สุขภาพดี ทั้งกาย-ใจ". election66.moveforwardparty.org. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  46. ↑ "ปฏิวัติการศึกษา". election66.moveforwardparty.org. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  47. ↑ "ผลการเลือกตั้งปี 2566 อย่างไม่เป็นทางการ". ectreport.com.
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