Chulapan Amornwiwat: New chairman of the Pheu Thai Party elected!

Chulapan Amornwiwat: New chairman of the Pheu Thai Party elected!

At a time when Thailand's political landscape is undergoing constant change, the election of Chulapan Amornwiwat as the new party chairman of the Pheu Thai Party was perceived as a decisive step. The former MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat was elected on November 1, 2025, giving him the support of Chanthongla, the owner of the Pheu Thai party. What makes him so special? His many years of political experience and the ability to communicate with various parties play a central role.

Chulapan's election also acts as a reassuring signal for his father, Sompong Amornwiwat, who recently left the party. With this decision, a clear separation between the party leadership and the Prime Minister's Office becomes visible, with tension until the next candidates are nominated for the latter. This discussion is still being worked on within the party, with candidates expected to be recruited from the Shinawatra family. What is particularly exciting is the mention of Nattapong Kunakornwong, Thaksin Shinawatra's son-in-law, as a possible candidate.

A look at the Pheu Thai party

The Pheu Thai Party has emerged as a significant force in turbulent Thai politics, particularly after the 2014 coup that forced all parties to suspend their political activities. Since its revival in 2019, the party has once again strengthened its position in parliament. The last parliamentary election in May 2023 confirmed this development, when the Pheu Thai Party became the second strongest force behind the Progress Party. This happened after a coalition with military-affiliated parties, which highlights the complexity and heterogeneity of the Thai party landscape.

Interestingly, political parties in Thailand have been a relatively new phenomenon since the abolition of the absolute monarchy in 1932. Its history is marked by various challenges and prohibitions, which often came into force during military dictatorships. It was not until 1946 that political parties in the true sense were permitted. Since then, various political structures have developed that are often unstable and fragmented, often resulting in smaller parties acting more as interest groups.

The role of the Pheu Thai Party is not only that of representing political interests, but it has also contributed to the politicization of the population, especially in rural regions. The heterogeneous membership and the diverse political orientations of the parties make the entire system complex. Thaksin Shinawatra's past influence should not be underestimated - he led the Thai Rak Thai Party to dominance in parliament before his ouster in 2006 changed the political terrain.

Now, with Chulapan as the new party leader, exciting times lie ahead. The Pheu Thai Party could regain influence under his leadership, especially if the premiership race gains momentum. The next few months are likely to be crucial for the party's future and its role in Thailand's political structure.