On Reflection | Thailand’s new party Future Forward offers hope – if junta will let it
After years of military rule, Thais are eager for democracy and a new group founded by a billionaire entrepreneur, academics and activists, hopes to deliver it. But doubts remain about the junta’s promise of elections
“Thanathorn from Future Forward? He is my idol. He has got great policy ideas. Plus, he believes in democracy.”
It is a Saturday evening in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi District, close to the heart of this 10 million-strong metropolis. It is peak rush hour; traffic is barely moving and the pavements teem with pedestrians dashing to the nearest BTS railway station as they head home.
Team Ceritalah is sitting with 26-year-old Teerapon Thetkerd. There is an air of anxiety – of uneasiness – as the city, not to mention the rest of the country, waits for its next general election.
After four years of military rule, Thais are ready for a return to democracy. In March, 30 parties submitted their registration papers, including the newly founded Future Forward Party.
In fact, the party, led by 39-year-old billionaire-entrepreneur Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit – whose family owns manufacturing giant Thai Summit Group – was also established that month.