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Bhumjaithai Party

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Bhumjaithai Party (BJT; Thai: พรรคภูมิใจไทย, RTGS: Phak Phumchai Thai, IPA: [pʰák pʰuːm.t͡ɕaj tʰaj]; lit. 'Thai Pride Party') was founded on 5 November 2008, in anticipation of the 2 December 2008 Constitutional Court of Thailand ruling that dissolved its "de facto predecessor", the Neutral Democratic Party, along with the People's Power Party (PPP), and the Thai Nation Party. After the dissolutions, former members of the Neutral Democratic Party and former members of the PPP faction, the Friends of Newin Group defected to this party.

Bhumjaithai Party
พรรคภูมิใจไทย
LeaderAnutin Charnvirakul
Secretary-GeneralChaichanok Chidchob
Spokesperson
  • Boontida Somchai
  • Natchanon Srikokuea
FounderNewin Chidchob
Founded5 November 2008; 15 years ago (2008-11-05)
Preceded byPMT (de facto)
KPW (de jure)
HeadquartersChatuchak, Bangkok
Membership (2023)61,703[1]
Ideology
Political positionCentre-right to right-wing[8]
ColoursDark blue and Red
Sloganพูดเเล้วทำ
('Said and done')
House of Representatives
71 / 500
Website
bhumjaithai.com

Bhumjaithai has a populist platform, since some of the platform was drawn from Thaksin Shinawatra's populist Thai Rak Thai party and the People's Power Party.[9] The party has a strong base in Buriram Province.

History

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On 15 December 2008, the party endorsed the Democrat Party, forming a six-party coalition government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The party's "de facto" leader and power broker behind joining the Democrat-led coalition is Newin Chidchob. Due to his role as an executive of the PPP predecessor party, the Thai Rak Thai party which was dissolved in 2007, he became ineligible to be a party member for five years. It is alleged that army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, coerced the MPs of the Friends of Newin Group faction in the PPP to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition. This secured enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elected prime minister. Bhumjaithai was the second largest coalition partner in the Abhisit government, supplying the ministers of Transport, Commerce, and Interior (Chaovarat Chanweerakul), and four deputy ministers.

For the general election on 3 July 2011, Bhumjaithai forged an alliance with coalition partner Chartthaipattana Party.[10] The party aimed at winning as many as 111 seats in the new parliament.[11] During the campaign, a main BJT canvasser, Suban Chiraphanwanit, was shot dead.[12] Eventually, BJT won 34 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives, which observers have interpreted as disappointing.[13] Subsequently, the party's Matchima-faction, led by Somsak Thepsuthin, tried to join the Pheu-Thai-led coalition government of Prime Minister-designate Yingluck Shinawatra, despite the party's ruling out cooperation with Pheu Thai before the elections. The Pheu Thai Party rejected the participation of BJT members.[14]

On 14 September 2012, Anuthin Charnvirakul was elected the new leader of the Bhumjaithai Party during the party's general assembly to elect a new 11-member executive committee. He replaced his father Chaovarat Chanweerakul, who had resigned. Also elected were Saksayam Chidchob as the new secretary-general, Nathee Ratchakijprakarn as treasurer, Sora-ath Klinprathum as an executive committee member and party advisory chairman, and Supamas Issarapakdi as party spokeswoman.[15]

Here's a drafted ideology section for Bhumjaithai Party's Wikipedia article:

Ideology

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Bhumjaithai Party combines elements of conservatism, populism, and economic liberalism in its policy platform. The party's approach to governance is characterized by welfare-oriented developmental policies while maintaining traditional conservative values, particularly regarding the monarchy.[16]

Economic and Development Policies

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The party advocates for significant infrastructure development, exemplified by their Landbridge Gulf of Thailand-Andaman project, which aims to position Thailand as an ASEAN transportation hub. Their economic policies blend state intervention with market-oriented approaches, including debt relief programs offering emergency loans of 50,000 baht without securities and three-year debt suspension programs for amounts up to 1 million baht per person.[17]

Social Welfare

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Bhumjaithai emphasizes comprehensive social welfare programs, including:

  • Free healthcare initiatives, such as cancer treatment facilities in all provinces and dialysis centers in all districts
  • Life insurance coverage for citizens aged 60 and above
  • Monthly compensation increases of 2,000 baht with sickness insurance
  • Universal access to clean water through village-level water filtration systems[18]

Environmental and Transportation Policy

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The party promotes environmental conservation alongside urban development through:

  • Implementation of electric bus systems with affordable fares (10-40 baht)
  • Clean energy initiatives aimed at reducing public expenditure
  • Measures to reduce PM2.5 air pollution[19]

Agricultural Development

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Through its "Rich Agriculture" policy, the party maintains a strong focus on rural development and agricultural sector enhancement, reflecting its traditional support base in Thailand's provincial areas.[20]

Election results

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General elections

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Election Total seats won Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election Election leader
2011
34 / 500
 1,281,652 3.83%  2 seats; Junior partner in opposition coalition Chavarat Charnvirakul
2014 N/A Invalidated Invalidated Unconstitutional - nullified Anutin Charnvirakul
2019
51 / 500
 3,732,883 10.33%  17 seats; Junior partner in governing coalition
2023
70 / 500
 5,015,210 12.77%  19 seats; Junior partner in governing coalition

Bangkok Metropolitan Council elections

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Election Total seats won Total votes Share of votes Outcome of election
2022
0 / 50
 19,789 0.85% No members in Bangkok Metropolitan Council

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ข้อมูลพรรคการเมืองที่ยังดำเนินการอยู่ ณ วันที่ 8 มีนาคม 2566
  2. ^ "Thailand election: How Move Forward's upset win unfolded". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  3. ^ "Bhumjaithai Party Won't Join Pita's Coalition Over Monarchy Stance". Bloomberg. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  4. ^ "Major players in Thailand's election". 29 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Major players in Thailand's election". 29 December 2016.
  6. ^ "Major players in Thailand's election". 29 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Thailand's Right-Wing Parties: Keeping Democracy Close But Its Enemies Closer". Fulcrum. 17 April 2023.
  8. ^ [6][7]
  9. ^ "พรรคภูมิใจไทย - Thailand Political Base". Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2019.[full citation needed]
  10. ^ "Bhum Jai Thai and Chart Thai Pattana unveil alliance". The Nation. 15 March 2011. Archived from the original on 9 August 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  11. ^ Chetchotiros, Nattaya; Sattaburuth, Aekarach (4 June 2011). "Pheu Thai heads off rival". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 9 July 2011.[dead link]
  12. ^ "Bhumjaithai canvasser shot dead". Bangkok Post. 17 June 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.[dead link]
  13. ^ "Bhumjaithai suffers humiliating losses", Bangkok Post, 4 July 2011, retrieved 9 July 2011[dead link]
  14. ^ "PT again rejects BJT faction", Bangkok Post, 8 July 2011, retrieved 9 July 2011[dead link]
  15. ^ "Anuthin new Bhumjaithai leader", Bangkok Post, 14 October 2012, retrieved 14 October 2012[dead link]
  16. ^ "Bhumjaithai Party Won't Join Pita's Coalition Over Monarchy Stance".
  17. ^ This should be cited from official party documentation or reliable news source
  18. ^ This should be cited from official party documentation or reliable news source
  19. ^ This should be cited from official party documentation or reliable news source
  20. ^ This should be cited from official party documentation or reliable news source
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