The People’s Party may have a new leader and executive board in the near future because of ongoing uncertainty about a possible political ban of several of its key figures, according to the party’s outgoing secretary-general.
If leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun have to suspend their duties, party spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu, 33, could move into the leadership post, Sarayut Jailak said on Wednesday.
Mr Sarayut said the party would hold a general meeting in March or April to discuss its future and responses to the legal case involving 44 former members of the Move Forward Party, the disbanded predecessor of the People’s Party.
Mr Natthaphong is among those who could be suspended and the whole board might be replaced if the case goes ahead. Therefore, the party would have to work out plans to cope, Mr Sarayut said.
He was referring to the case in which the National Anti-Corruption Commission found 44 former Move Forward members guilty of an ethical breach for their support of a bid to amend the lese-majeste law. The case will now go to the Supreme Court for a final ruling.
Move Forward was disbanded in 2024 for campaigning for the lese-majeste law amendment. Party executives including then-leader Pita Limjaroenrat were hit with a 10-year political ban.
Ten of the 44 accused, including Mr Natthaphong and Ms Sirikanya, were elected as MPs in Sunday’s general election.
Mr Parit — a nephew of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva — is the most likely choice to assume the party leadership if a change is needed, Mr Sarayut said.
The secretary-general praised Mr Natthaphong for the leadership ability he displayed after Move Forward was dissolved and he had to abruptly replace Mr Pita as leader.
Mr Natthaphong said on Tuesday that he had no intention to step down in the near term, saying the party needed stability while it plots its next moves.
Mr Sarayut said on Monday that he intended to resign as party secretary-general to keep his promise to do so if it won fewer than 200 House seats.
According to unofficial vote results, the People’s Party came second with 87 constituency MPs and the incumbent Bhumjaithai was likely to have 174 constituency MPs.
However, the People’s Party won the party list election with 9.8 million votes while Bhumjaithai came second with 5.9 million, giving them a total of 118 and 193 seats, respectively.
