"I'm not part of the elite," says billionaire Thanathorn, leader of Thailand's new progressive party
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Chris de Boer and I have previously written about the promising new political party Future Forward. In an interview, Thanathorn answered a number of questions about his own person and the dangers an active politician runs.
The new party
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit founded a new party with a number of supporters last March, called the New Future Party in Thai, but called the Future Forward Party in the English-language media. The party has not yet been recognized by the Electoral Council, but its leader has already been taken to court.
One of the main thrusts of the party program is to undo the legacy of the current government. The party wants to largely scrap the laws of the junta, prohibit the influence of the military on politics and write a new constitution. Their general objectives are reflected in their logo: an inverted pyramid where the bottom of society will now form the top. I have not yet seen concrete plans in that direction, although I know that the members of his party come from all walks of life.
In a recent interview, Thanathorn addressed a number of questions.
Does he belong to the elite?
If you look at his background the answer should be yes. He spent his secondary school years at St. Dominic's, a Catholic school and later at Triam Udom school, a springboard for higher positions. He graduated from Thammasat University as an engineer and then joined the multi-billion dollar family car parts business, the Thai Summit Group. His uncle, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, was transport minister in 2002. In addition, Thanathorn sat on the boards of other companies such as media group Matichon.
He said in an interview that his wealthy background should not be an obstacle to standing up for the common man and woman.
“I am not part of the elite, the ammart, the capitalist class or the 1 percent," he said, "Having money and claiming privileges are two different things." As someone of the 'new money' he does not see himself as belonging to the traditional elite. A nouveau rich who has worked hard for his money himself is different from those who were born into wealth. 'I have no connections with the 'old elite', he adds. “The old elite look down on us. We are just merchants and they insult us. We have money but not their old and well-known surnames'.
Not everyone is convinced. Columnist Phakkad Hom wrote in the Thai Post: 'Will he repeat Thaksin's mistakes if he wins the election and becomes prime minister? Thaksin assumed the prime ministership and it ended in corruption."
Now that he devotes himself entirely to his political activities, he still misses the business world. “I was sad when I left the company,” he says.
Active in social and progressive movements
Thanathorn was already active in all kinds of social movements in his younger years. For example, he supported 'The Assembly of the Poor'. On his bookshelves are issues of the left-leaning magazine 'Same Sky', and a prominent red cover, banned in 2006, deals with the monarchy.
'I am not talking about the king, but about the monarchy as an institution', he says, 'the monarchy must grow with the world around it and must be an important institution under the constitution'. But he prefers not to talk about a revision of the lese-majeste law yet, a disappointment for some.
'I have a feeling for the people. I have already visited 41 provinces to hear what people think about where the country should grow.'
The charges and harassment
A few days before the interview, Thanathorn was called to the police after a complaint by a lawyer of the current regime. He allegedly violated the Computer Crime Act and incited the population through a recent Facebook Live broadcast in which he criticized the junta. On the same day, another activist, Ekachai Hongkangwan, was attacked by three men, leaving his left hand broken and bleeding.
“We are living in a dark time now,” says Thanathorn, “we are being inundated with charges. If that doesn't work, they'll send someone to intimidate us.' When asked if he fears more attacks for defying the junta, Thanathorn replies in the negative. But he is concerned for his three school-aged children and his pregnant wife.
"If I am threatened myself, I shrug my shoulders, but I am afraid that the harassment will also affect my family," says Thanathorn.
The future
In addition to a reform of the military apparatus and a new constitution, he wants justice for all parties in the conflicts of the past ten years. When asked whether that means a general amnesty for those who committed the coup or a lawsuit for generals and political leaders, he replies that there must be a balance between justice and reconciliation because there is no vision of the future carved in rock.
'All parties must come together and reflect', he says, 'we must heal the wounds of all parties'.
Read the story on Khaosod here:
Previous posts about this party:
www.thailandblog.nl/background/new-spring-new-sound-future-forward-party/
www.thailandblog.nl/background/eerste-verkiezingkoorts-future-forward-party-programma-en-junta/
FFP is invariably described here as “the promising new political party”. But is that really so?
When I ask my close Thai environment about their opinion on FFP, they usually don't even know that party. Unknown is unloved threatens to become the fate of FFP.
Are you asking about ภรรคอนาคตไหม่ phak anaakhot mai (tone high low medium high low)? New Future Party? Which is how the Thais know it (or not…).
If you don't remember the Thai name, you might remember the logo of a tilting orange pyramid. Who knows, she might say something:
https://m.facebook.com/cartooneggcatx/photos/a.1125532314243366/1209188829211047/?type=3&source=54
Khai-meow (cat's testicles) cartoon from March 25 in which Generalismo Prayuth is in danger of losing his top position at the top of the pyramid due to the FFP party.
http://www.facebook.com/cartooneggcatx/photos/
Hi Tino,
In this story I miss a bit your (and Chris') opinion with regard to the interview or the interviewee.
For now I have the impression that the man is not acting.
But, that's just the impression I have; I'm too far off to say with any certainty.
Peter,
I have seen, heard and read a lot about him. He comes across as genuine and involved. Authentic, direct, charismatic.
What I miss is a more detailed program.
Thanathorn and his party offer an alternative. The founders are relatively young, especially in the Thai context, and that certainly appeals to the younger voters in Bangkok.
Making a detailed program is still very difficult, because you are not allowed to engage in political activities. Meetings about a program are therefore not allowed yet.
His uncle Suriya may have been a minister, but he currently faces Thanathorn. As 1 of the 3 Sammitr, Suriya is busy convincing former politicians to the party that would like to see Prayut remain as PM after the elections in the future.
The FFP is apparently seen as a serious threat and hence the many unsubstantiated legal steps against this party.