Thai Rak Thai Logo

Thai Rak Thai (Thai: ไทยรักไทย, lit. Thais Love Thais; TRT) is a banned^[1] political party in Thailand. From 2001 to 2005 it was the ruling party, led by Prime Minister and founder Thaksin Shinawatra. TRT won the election of 2001 and election of 2005. The party has a platform that was commonly described as "populist" and centre-right. After a military coup sent Thaksin into exile, Chaturon Chaisang became party head.^[2] The kings in the current Chakri dynasty of Thailand are often referred to as Rama followed by Roman ordinal in English translation. ... Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;  ) (born December 5, 1927), is the current King of Thailand. ... The following is a list of Prime Ministers of Thailand: Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, (1932-1933) General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, (1933-1938) Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, (1938-1944) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1944-1945) Tawee Boonyaket, (1945) Seni Pramoj, (1945) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1946) Luang Praditmanutham, (1946) Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi... General Surayud Chulanont (Thai: , RTGS: Surayut Chulanon, Nickname: Big Add) is the current Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailands Interim Government. ... The cover of The Economist magazine of April 8th–14th 2006, showing anti-Thaksin protesters. ... Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ... This article focuses on the military junta that overthrew the elected civilian government of Thailand in the 2006 Thailand coup. ... General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin (Thai: ; first name also spelled Sondhi; last name also spelled Boonyaratglin or Boonyarakarin) is Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. ... The Thai 2006 interim civilian government is the Thai provisional civilian government headed by Interim Prime Minister General Surayud Chulanont. ... In the politics of Thailand, the Cabinet is a formal body composed of government officials chosen by the Prime Minister. ... The National Assembly (Rathasapha) is the legislative branch of the government of Thailand. ... Political parties in Thailand lists political parties in Thailand. ... Politics of Thailand Categories: Election related stubs | Elections in Thailand ... General elections were held in Thailand in April 2006. ... After Thailands April 2006 elections were declared invalid by the Constitutional Court, it was decided that new elections would be held on 15 October 2006. ... General elections are expected to be held again in Thailand before the end of 2007 after the military assumed power in the 2006 Thai coup détat on 19 September 2006. ... Bangkoks Democracy Monument: a representation of the 1932 Constitution sits on top of two golden offering bowls above a turret. ... The 2006 Interim Charter of Thailand was drafted by the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) after it seized power from the government of Thaksin Shinawatra in the 2006 Thailand coup. ... A permanent constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand is currently being drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. ... A referendum on the new constitution currently being drafted will be held in Thailand in 2007, likely in August. ... The Constitutional Court of Thailand (Thai: ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ) is an independent Thai court established under the 1997 Constitution with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding political parties. ... Thailand is divided into 75 provinces (จังหวัด, changwat), and one municipality - the capital Bangkok (Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai). ... Human Rights in Thailand The constitution provides for freedom of speech, press, peaceful assembly and association, religion, and movement within the country and abroad. ... Combatants  Thailand Muslim separatists Pattini Raya Commanders Gen. ... Thailands foreign policy includes support for ASEAN in the interest of regional stability and emphasis on a close and longstanding security relationship with the United States. ... Foreign Aid to Thailand On July 31, 2003, Thailand repaid its outstanding obligations under a standby arrangement from the International Monetary Fund designed to help it recover from the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Political parties Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A political party is a political organization that seeks to attain political power within a government, usually by participating in electoral campaigns. ... The following is a list of Prime Ministers of Thailand: Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, (1932-1933) General Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena, (1933-1938) Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, (1938-1944) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1944-1945) Tawee Boonyaket, (1945) Seni Pramoj, (1945) Major Khuang Abhaiwongse, (1946) Luang Praditmanutham, (1946) Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi... Wikinews has news related to: Thaksin Shinawatra   (Thai: , IPA: ; (Chinese:丘達新 ; pinyin:QiÅ« DáxÄ«n), born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... Legislative elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. ... Populism is a political ideology or rhetorical style that holds that the common person is oppressed by the elite in society, which exists only to serve its own interests, and therefore, the instruments of the State need to be grasped from this self-serving elite and instead used for the... The centre-right is a political term commonly used to describe or denote political parties or organizations (such as think tanks) that stretch from the centre to the right on the left-right spectrum, excluding far right stances. ... Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ...

The name is occasionally translated into English as the "Thai Unity Party" or "Thais Love Thais Party", but TRT has no connection to the now defunct Ruam Thai Party, which was also known as the Thai Unity Party.

History

The Thai Rak Thai was officially registered on 15 July 1998, by telecommunications billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra and 22 other founding members, including Somkid Jatusripitak, Thanong Bidaya, Sudarat Keyuraphan, Purachai Piumsombun, Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya, and Prommin Lertsuridej. With a populist platform often attributed to Somkid, TRT promised universal access to healthcare, a 3-year debt moratorium for farmers, and 1 million THB microcredit development funds for all Thai villages. The party was built largely by amalgamating pre-existing parties and factions, although there were a significant number of new politicians. It also included several former student leaders who had joined the Communist Party of Thailand following the military's 6 October 1976 Massacre, like Chaturon Chaisang, Prapat Panyachatraksa, Adisorn Piangket, Surapong Suebwonglee. July 15 is the 196th day of the year (197th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Telecommunication involves the transmission of signals over a distance for the purpose of communication. ... Wikinews has news related to: Thaksin Shinawatra   (Thai: , IPA: ; (Chinese:丘達新 ; pinyin:QiÅ« DáxÄ«n), born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... Somkid Jatusripitak (Thai: สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์ ) born 15 July 1953, Thai politician, is currently Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand. ... Thanong Bidaya (born Thanong Lamyai) is a Thai politician and deposed Finance Minister. ... Sudarat Keyuraphan (born May 1, 1961, Thai: สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์ ) is a Thai politician and the deputy leader of the Thai Rak Thai party. ... Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayuthaya (Thai:ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา) is a former Thai military officer, politician, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai party, and former Defence Minister. ... Prommin Lertsuridej, M.D. (born 5 November 1954) was a Thai politician, former student leader, former Secretary General to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, and former Minister of Energy in the Thaksin government. ... Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to the unemployed, to poor entrepreneurs and to others living in poverty who are not considered bankable. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... The Massacre of 6 October 1976 was a violent crackdown on students and protestors that occured in the grounds of Thammasat University and Sanam Luang in Thailand. ...

In the 2001 general election, the TRT won 248 seats in the 500 seat House of Representatives, giving it an absolute majority, and making Thaksin the new prime minister. 40% of elected MPs were freshmen.^[3] It ruled in a coalition with the New Aspiration Party and the Thai Nation Party. The governing parties together had 342 seats, the largest ruling coalition bloc in Thai history. This article needs cleanup. ... The New Aspiration Party (Phak Khwam Wang Mai) is a political party in Thailand. ... Chart Thai Party (พรรคชาติไทย phak chaat thai), also translated as the Thai Nation Party, is a conservative political party in Thailand. ...

In government the party has combined populist policies such as cash grants to villages (used for microcredit loans) and a 30 baht health scheme (allowing anyone to receive medical treatment for a small fee) with strong support for United States foreign policy. The latter included contributing a small number of troops to the United States-led coalition in Iraq. Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to the unemployed, to poor entrepreneurs and to others living in poverty who are not considered bankable. ...

At the legislative elections on February 6, 2005, the party won 60.7% of the popular vote and 375 out of 500 seats, enlarging the previous absolute majority. In the (now) invalid elections of April 2006, it won 61.6% of the vote and 460 out of 500 seats, the rest remaining vacant. Legislative elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. ... February 6 is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... National legislative elections were held in Thailand. ...

Factions

As an agglomeration of several different parties, Thai Rak Thai politicians owe their allegiance to different factions. Precise figures on faction membership do not exist, but the best estimates of the numerical strength of the major factions are provided below. These numbers are based on the membership of the House of Representatives elected in the 2005 general election, which was dissolved on February 24, 2006. Legislative elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. ... In parliamentary systems, a dissolution of parliament is the dispersal of a legislature at the call of an election. ...

• Wang Bua Ban - Led by Thaksin's sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat,^[4] this faction is one of the party's most important groupings, as it includes many members of Prime Minister's inner circle. The faction's base is Thaksin's home province of Chiang Mai. It is estimated that Wang Bua Ban commands the support of over 30 MPs (as of December 2005), mostly from the northern region. ^[4]

• Wang Nam Yom - Originally a splinter group from Wang Bua Ban,^[4] Wang Nam Yom is led by Labour Minister Somsak Thepsutin and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who also serves as Thai Rak Thai's Secretary-General. With the financial backing of Suriya, whose family controls the largest auto parts manufactuer in Thailand, some observers claim that this faction has the resources to form a party in its own right.^[4] The group is said to include over 100 MPs, hailing from the northern, northeastern and central regions of Thailand.^[5]

• Wang Nam Yen - This is the most notorious faction, led by the veteran political power-broker, Sanoh Thienthong,^[4] a former Interior Minister who held the title of Chief Advisor to the Thai Rak Thai Party. A native of Sa Kaeo province, Sanoh in the 1990s built a political empire that came to dominate several border provinces in eastern and northeastern Thailand. Rather than start a political party of his own, however, Sanoh preferred to play the role of kingmaker by shifting his group from party to party.^[4] With the collapse in 1992 of the pro-military government, which Sanoh supported, the faction moved to the Chart Thai Party, which went on to win the elections held in 1995. Dissatisfied with his treatment by Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-Archa, Sanoh then defected to the New Aspiration Party, giving it enough support to narrowly win the 1996 elections. However, with New Aspiration's star waning after it was forced out of power in 1997, Sanoh decided to cast his lot with Thai Rak Thai before the 2001 elections. Since joining Thai Rak Thai, however, Wang Nam Yen has largely been sidelined by Thaksin, who does not completely trust Sanoh. As a result, Sanoh has become one of Thaksin's most vocal critics within the Thai Rak Thai Party. Wang Nam Yen's electoral fortunes have also declined slightly since joining Thai Rak Thai at the expense of other factions, and as of February 2006, Sanoh commands the loyalty of only 37 MPs.^[6] He and his wife resigned from the TRT in February 2006 to establish a the Pracharaj Party. It is yet unclear how many followers from the Wang Nam Yen faction will defect from the TRT.

• Wang Phayanak - This group is led by Deputy Prime Minister Phinij Jarusombat,^[4] who was leader of the small Seritham Party before it merged with Thai Rak Thai after the 2001 elections. Most of the faction's following of approximately 30 MPs (as of December 2005) hail from the northeastern region, where the group often competes with Wang Nam Yen for influence.

• Wang Lam Takong - This faction is composed of the remnants of the old Chart Pattana (National Development) Party, which merged into Thai Rak Thai before the 2005 elections. Chart Pattana's former leader, Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop, serves as the head of this group. The faction's influence derives from its strength in the country's second-most populous province, Nakhon Ratchasima, which was the stronghold of Chart Pattana. Wang Lam Katong's membership is estimated to include as many as 20 MPs.

• Bangkok Faction - The leader of this group is Agriculture Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, who was a key figure in the former Palang Dharma Party that Thaksin led in the mid-1990s. As a result, Sudarat is said to be capable of wielding significant influence over the Prime Minister. The faction includes all the Thai Rak Thai's MPs who represent Bangkok and a handful of others from the surrounding region. Together with a small number of party-list MPs allied with Sudarat, the faction's total membership is estimated to include over 30 MPs.

• Chonburi Faction - Former Sports & Tourism Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem leads this faction,^[4] which split from the Chart Thai Party before the 2005 elections to join Thai Rak Thai. Sonthaya's father is the infamous Somchai Khunpluem, the "godfather" of Chonburi who is better know as "Kamnan Po". The dominant political force in the eastern provinces of Chonburi and Rayong, this faction counts approximately 7 MPs under its wing.^[5]

• Buri Ram Faction - Like the Chonburi Faction, this group also defected from the Chart Thai Party before the 2005 elections. The faction's leader is Prime Minister's Office Minister Newin Chidchob,^[4] probably the least popular member of Thai Rak Thai owing to his alleged involvement in numerous scandals throughout his political career. With a solid base in Newin's home province of Buri Ram and in neighboring Surin Province, the faction is estimated to include 10 to 15 MPs.

• Phor Mod Dam - This group, also known as "Rim Nam", is led by Deputy House Speaker Suchart Tancharoen,^[4] a key figure in the former New Aspiration Party, which merged with Thai Rak Thai after the 2001 elections. The faction has around 15 members^[5][7]

• Maleenont Faction - Led by Sports & Tourism Minister (as of February 2006) Pracha Maleenont, whose family controls the local broadcasting and entertainment group BEC World. This group's influence derives from the Maleenont family's role as one of the leading financiers of the Thai Rak Thai Party. The faction controls approximately 10 MPs (as of December 2006).

• Pongsak Faction - Under the leadership of Transport Minister (as of February 2006) Pongsak Raktapongpisak, this group has emerged recently as a significant force within the party, counting approximately 30 MPs as supporters as of December 2005. Pongsak's alleged close friendship with Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra, the wife of Prime Minister Thaksin, is said to allow him to wield considerable influence over party and government affairs.

A street scene in Chiang Mai, showing (centre right), a gate of the old city wall. ... Northern Thailand usually describes the area covered by 17 provinces. ... Suriya Jungrungreangkit (born December 10, 1954, Thai: สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) is a Thai politician of the Thai Rak Thai party. ... Northern Thailand usually describes the area covered by 17 provinces. ... For other articles with similar names, see Isan (disambiguation). ... Central Thailand is a region of Thailand, covering the broad alluvial plain of the Chao Phraya River. ... Sa Kaeo (Thai สระแก้ว) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Thailand is divided into 76 provinces ( Thai: จังหวัด, changwat, singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces - sometimes the East and Central are grouped together. ... For other articles with similar names, see Isan (disambiguation). ... Chart Thai Party (พรรคชาติไทย phak chaat thai), also translated as the Thai Nation Party, is a conservative political party in Thailand. ... The New Aspiration Party (Phak Khwam Wang Mai) is a political party in Thailand. ... This article needs cleanup. ... This article needs cleanup. ... For other articles with similar names, see Isan (disambiguation). ... Legislative elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. ... Nakhon Ratchasima (Thai: ), often shortened to Korat or Khorat, is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... Sudarat Keyuraphan (born May 1, 1961, Thai: สุดารัตน์ เกยุราพันธ์ ) is a Thai politician and the deputy leader of the Thai Rak Thai party. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Chart Thai Party (พรรคชาติไทย phak chaat thai), also translated as the Thai Nation Party, is a conservative political party in Thailand. ... Legislative elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. ... Chon Buri (Thai ชลบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... A kamnan (Thai: กำนัน) is a Thai governing official at the tambon (village/sub-district) level. ... Thailand is divided into 76 provinces ( Thai: จังหวัด, changwat, singular and plural), which are grouped into 5 groups of provinces - sometimes the East and Central are grouped together. ... Chon Buri (Thai ชลบุรี) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Rayong province (Thai spelling ระยอง) is a province (changwat) of Thailand. ... Chart Thai Party (พรรคชาติไทย phak chaat thai), also translated as the Thai Nation Party, is a conservative political party in Thailand. ... Legislative elections were held in Thailand on 6 February 2005. ... Newin Chidchob (born 4 October 1958) is a Thai politician, Member of Parliament for Buriram province, and Cabinet minister with the Thai Rak Thai party. ... Geography Buriram is located at the southern end of the Khorat Plateau, with several extinct volcanoes around the province. ... Surin (Thai สุรินทร์) is one of the north-eastern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. ... The New Aspiration Party (Phak Khwam Wang Mai) is a political party in Thailand. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Khunying Potjaman Shinawatra (born Potjaman Damapong) is the wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ...

After the September 2006 coup

See also: 2006 Thailand coup

Wikinews has news related to: Category:2006 Thailand coup The 2006 Thailand coup détat took place on Tuesday 19 September 2006, when the Royal Thai Army staged a coup against the government of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. ...

Whereabouts of party leaders after the coup

On the evening of Tuesday 19 September 2006, the Thai military seized control of Bangkok and was endorsed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej to rule the Kingdom. At the time, Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York City for a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. Most of the TRT executive leadership was also abroad: Deputy Premier Surakiart Sathirathai was with Thaksin in New York, Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya was in Singapore attending the annual meeting of the World Bank/IMF, Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak was attending the Thai-France Cultural Exhibition in Paris with Foreign Minister Kantathi Suphamongkhon and HRH Princess Sirindhorn. Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ; IPA: ; Royal Institute: Phumiphon Adunyadet;  ) (born December 5, 1927), is the current King of Thailand. ... Wikinews has news related to: Thaksin Shinawatra   (Thai: , IPA: ; (Chinese:丘達新 ; pinyin:QiÅ« DáxÄ«n), born July 26, 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand), Thai businessman and politician, is the deposed Prime Minister of Thailand and the former leader of the populist Thai Rak Thai party. ... The United Nations General Assembly (GA) is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations. ... Surakiart Sathirathai (Thai: สุรเกียรติ์ เสถียรไทย, born June 7, 1958, Bangkok) is a Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand oversseing Foreign Affairs, Education and Culture. ... Thanong Bidaya (born Thanong Lamyai) is a Thai politician and deposed Finance Minister. ... Logo of the World Bank The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, in Romance languages: BIRD), better known as the World Bank, is an international organization whose original mission was to finance the reconstruction of nations devastated by WWII. Now, its mission has expanded to fight poverty by means... “IMF” redirects here. ... Somkid Jatusripitak (Thai: สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์ ) born 15 July 1953, Thai politician, is currently Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand. ... City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) Paris Eiffel tower as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... Kantathi Suphamongkhon (Thai กันตธีร์ ศุภมงคล, born April 3, 1952) is a Thai diplomat and politician. ... HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (Thai: ; Som det phra thep phra rat raat cha su daa Chao fa Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Ratha si ma ku na korn pi ya chat Siam ba rom ma raat cha ku maa ree) is an extremely popular princess of Thailand...

Several party executives remaining in Thailand were arrested and detained by the junta. Deputy Prime Minister in charge of national security Chitchai Wannasathit and Defence Minister Thammarak Isaragura na Ayuthaya were in Thailand and were immediately arrested and detained by the junta. Secretary-General to the Premier Prommin Lertsuridej was also arrested. Natural Resources and Environmental Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin Chidchop were ordered to report themselves to the junta by Thursday 21 September. Both reported themselves and were also detained.^[8][9][10] Chitchai Wannasathit (Thai ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์) was the acting caretaker Prime Minister of Thailand from April to May 2006, when Thaksin Shinawatra took a break from his duties as prime minister following a disappointing showing in elections; Thaksin returned to his duties after more than a month. ... Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayuthaya (Thai:ธรรมรักษ์ อิศรางกูร ณ อยุธยา) is a former Thai military officer, politician, co-founder of the Thai Rak Thai party, and former Defence Minister. ... Prommin Lertsuridej, M.D. (born 5 November 1954) was a Thai politician, former student leader, former Secretary General to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, former Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economic affairs, and former Minister of Energy in the Thaksin government. ... Newin Chidchob (born 4 October 1958) is a Thai politician, Member of Parliament for Buriram province, and Cabinet minister with the Thai Rak Thai party. ...

Several party executives including Chaturon Chaisang, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Suranand Vejjajiva, Veera Musikapong, and Party Deputy and Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and former Social Development and Human Security Minister Watana Muangsook were reported to be in Thailand and at liberty.^[11] Suriya Jungrungreangkit (born December 10, 1954, Thai: สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) is a Thai politician of the Thai Rak Thai party. ...

Reactions from party members

With Thaksin and key party executives either abroad or arrested, the reaction of TRT party members was muted and disorganized.

Several former MPs believed the party would be dissolved by the junta, including former Khon Kaen MP Prajak Kaewklaharn. However, former Udon Thani MP Thirachai Saenkaew, called for the junta to allow Thaksin to contest the next election, claiming that TRT supporters wanted Thaksin to return to politics.^[12]

Former Sakon Nakhon MP Chalermchai Ulankul said that although he and others might be unemployed for about a year, his faction was "firm" and preparing to run in the election next year. "As long as the Thai Rak Thai Party is not dissolved, we can't say we will move to be under any other party. However, I don't know who will continue the TRT."

Many party members were reported to have resigned from the party in the aftermath of the coup. These included Somsak Thepsuthin and 100 members of the Wang Nam Yom faction. It was not clear whether Suriya Jungrungreangkit, another influential member of the faction would also resign. Sonthaya Kunplome also was reported to have led 20 members of the Chonburi faction in resigning from the party. Fear that the party would be dissolved by the junta and its members banned from politics fueled the defections.^[13][14] Suriya Jungrungreangkit (born December 10, 1954, Thai: สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ) is a Thai politician of the Thai Rak Thai party. ...

On the 2nd of October Thaksin Shinawatra his former deputy Somkid Jatusipitak finally resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party ^[15][16], in all probability ending it as a political force.

Party Dissolution

Main article: Party dissolution charges in Thai politics, 2006

The party's future became in doubt following the military coup that overthrew Thaksin's government in September 2006. It was ordered to be dissolved on May 30, 2007 by the Constitutional Tribunal for violation of election laws.^{[17] [18]} A few high-ranking party members were found to be directly involved in bribing several small parties into competing in constituencies that were bases of the former opposition parties to ensure that minimum turnout rules were met. One hundred and eleven members of the party, including former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, were barred from participating in politics for a five-year period. Party dissolution charges are a series of events and scandals that eventually led to the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai Party, the biggest political party in Thailand at the time, and a few small parties following a general election in April, 2006. ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... Party dissolution charges are a series of events and scandals that eventually led to the dissolution of Thai Rak Thai Party, the biggest political party in Thailand at the time, and a few small parties following a general election in April, 2006. ... May 30 is the 150th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (151st in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

References

1. ^ The New York Times, 'Ousted Premier’s Allies Protest Ban on Thai Party', 1 June 2007
2. ^ The Nation, 'People were disappointed in us', 19 October 2006
3. ^ "Markets and Currency Rise on Strong Showing by New Party", International Herald Tribune, January 9, 2001. 
4. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j} There are some very upset members of the governingThai Rak Thai party, and miffed politicians tend to cause problems. ARDA: Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia.
5. ^ ^{a b c} "Replacing Thaksin", The Nation, April 8, 2006. 
6. ^ "Thai minister's resignation undermines embattled prime minister", Monsters and Critics, February 3, 2006. 
7. ^ "Somkid takes an early lead in race to become prime minister", The Nation, April 7, 206. 
8. ^ "Urgent: Newin reports to ARC", The Nation, September 21, 2006. 
9. ^ "Urgent: Yongyuth reports to ARC", The Nation, September 21, 2006. 
10. ^ "Four officials close to ousted Thai PM now detained", Channel New Asia, September 22, 2006. 
11. ^ "Ex-ministers in custody", The Bangkok Post, September 22, 2006. 
12. ^ "Thaksin should be allowed to contest election: Thai Rak Thai member", The Nation, September 30, 2006. 
13. ^ "Sonthaya leads 20 members out of Thai Rak Thai", The Nation, October 3, 2006. 
14. ^ "Somsak leads 100 members to resign from Thai Rak Thai", The Nation, October 3, 2006. 
15. ^ "Thaksin resigns from Thai Rak Thai", The Nation, October 2, 2006. 
16. ^ "Somkid resigns from Thai Rak Thai Party", The Nation, October 2, 2006. 
17. ^ The Nation
18. ^ Thai court orders Thaksin's party disbanded Reuters

Reuters Group plc (LSE: RTR and NASDAQ: RTRSY); pron. ...

External links

Wikinews has news related to:

Thai Rak Thai dissolved, ex-premier Thaksin banned from politics

• Official web site
• ARDA - TRT Factions
• Thai Media Project - 2Bangkok.com
• "Bangkokian: Pongsak Carves Out His Own Turf," The Nation, December 23, 2005