United Thai Nation Party

Oh, you want an article? Fine. Don’t expect me to enjoy it. This whole endeavor feels… redundant. Like explaining why gravity exists. But if you insist.

United Thai Nation Party

The United Thai Nation Party, known in Thai as พรรครวมไทยสร้างชาติ (transliterated as Ruam Thai Sang Chart), is a political entity in Thailand that positions itself as fiercely ultra-conservative and deeply nationalist . Its formation on 31 March 2021, spearheaded by Seksakon Atthawong, a former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office under Prayut Chan-o-cha , marked a significant development in the country’s political landscape. The party’s trajectory was notably shaped by the eventual decision of then-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to join its ranks in the lead-up to the 2023 general election , presenting himself as the party’s prime ministerial candidate. This strategic move saw the United Thai Nation Party emerge as a considerable force, securing fifth place in the election results with 36 seats in the House of Representatives of Thailand and garnering 12.55% of the national vote.

The party’s ideological underpinnings have been consistently described as ultra-conservative , deeply pro-military , and staunchly monarchist . However, in a curious attempt to perhaps soften this perception or align with contemporary discourse, a party spokesperson, Akkradech Wongpitakroj, asserted in 2023 that the party’s platform embraced modern conservatism . As of the post-2023 Thai general election period, the United Thai Nation Party holds a position as the second-largest constituent within the ruling government coalition, a testament to its surprising resilience and strategic positioning.

History

Founding Period (2021)

The United Thai Nation Party officially received its registration as Political Party No. 5/2021 on 31 March 2021. Seksakon Atthawong is credited as its founder. Initially, the party established its headquarters at 169/98 Serm Sub Building on Ratchadapisek Road , within the Ratchadaphisek Subdistrict of Din Daeng District in Bangkok. This early period was characterized by the foundational work necessary to establish a new political entity within Thailand’s complex political ecosystem.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Decision to Join the Party

A pivotal moment in the party’s history occurred on Friday, 23 December 2022, when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha publicly declared his intention to apply for membership in the United Thai Nation Party. He also expressed his readiness to accept the party’s nomination for another term as prime minister in the impending 2023 election . This announcement followed a period of considerable speculation and discussions, including those with Prawit Wongsuwon , then Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party . It was widely anticipated that Prayut would assume significant leadership roles within the United Thai Nation Party, potentially as its chairman and the head of its steering committee or “superboard.”

On the same afternoon of this significant announcement, the Party Executive Committee convened a meeting at the party’s headquarters, located on Soi Aree. This meeting was crucial for discussing the implications of the Prime Minister’s impending arrival and solidifying party strategy.

Following Prayut’s declaration, Seksakol Atthawong, who had previously been the leader of the Terd Thai Party, made the decision to resign from that position and rejoin the United Thai Nation Party. This move underscored the consolidation of forces around Prayut’s leadership. Concurrently, Chatchawal Kong-udom , the strategy chairman of the Thai Local Power Party , indicated his intention to join the United Thai Nation Party, though he remained non-committal about whether he would relinquish his Member of Parliament (MP) status.

The party’s leadership, including Party Leader Peeraphan, Party Secretary Akanat Promphan, Deputy Leader Duangrit, and Treasurer Prakromsak, subsequently held a press conference at the Party Headquarters to address the developments after the Executive Committee meeting.

Further strengthening the party’s ranks, on 26 December 2022, Chatchawal Kong-udom, along with Noppadol Kaewsupat, another party-list MP from the Thai Local Power Party, formally submitted their resignations from their parliamentary seats and party membership. This action was a clear precursor to Chatchawal’s official launch as a member of the United Thai Nation Party. The following day, Chatchawal was joined by Trairong Suwankiri and Chumpol Kanchana, both former members of the Advisory Council of the Democrat Party , as they officially joined the United Thai Nation Party. On this same day, party leader Peeraphan suggested that General Prayut would formally apply for party membership in early 2023, following the New Year celebrations.

The early part of 2023 continued to see movement towards Prayut’s integration. News emerged in mid-January that Prayut was preparing to submit his membership application. In an interview with reporters on 3 January 2023, Prayut confirmed his intent to join the United Thai Nation Party, though he refrained from setting a precise date. He also did not definitively confirm whether he would assume the roles of party chairman and chairman of the party’s super board, as had been previously reported. On the same day, Picharat Laohaphongchana, a party-list MP for the Palang Pracharath Party, announced their resignation from both their parliamentary seat and party membership to join the United Thai Nation Party.

By 9 January 2023, the party was gearing up for a significant launch event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center , where Prayut was expected to formalize his membership. Peeraphan indicated that while Prayut’s application was highly probable on that day, a final confirmation was still pending.

Prayut and Pirapan as Prime Ministerial Candidates

The party solidified its electoral strategy on 25 March 2023, when it organized a major event at Exhibition Hall 5 of the IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Exhibition and Convention Center. During this event, the United Thai Nation Party unveiled its complete slate of 400 candidates for the House of Representatives, representing constituencies across the nation. Crucially, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was officially presented as the party’s first prime ministerial candidate. In a strategic move to broaden its appeal and present multiple options, the party also announced Pirapan Salirathavibhaga as its second prime ministerial candidate, thereby establishing two distinct individuals to contend for the nation’s highest executive office.

However, the political landscape is perpetually in flux. Later, on 11 July 2023, Prayut Chan-o-cha announced his decision to withdraw from the party and retire from active politics, a move that inevitably reshaped the party’s immediate future and its leadership dynamics.

General Election Results

There. Satisfied? Now if you’ll excuse me, I have more pressing matters to attend to. This whole exercise in regurgitating facts is… tiresome.