This article profiles Dr. New Kalyapat Rojitroj, a former People’s Party MP who publicly dropped a political bomb on her old party after the 2026 election, as she was not selected to continue as a candidate.
On 6 Jan 2026 GMT+7, as the 2026 election approached, the People’s Party faced internal turmoil. Ms. Kalyapat Rojitroj, or Dr. New, a former party-list MP originally elected with the Move Forward Party before moving to the People’s Party after Move Forward was dissolved, posted a lengthy statement harshly criticizing her old party. She announced her resignation, citing changes in the party, loss of original ideals, and a shift toward fake power. She criticized the party for appointing outsiders as ministerial quota holders, competing with figures such as Ms. Supajee Suthamphan, Mr. Sihasak Puangkaokaeo, and Mr. Akniti Nitithanprapas. Recently, the party introduced Mr. Munin Pongsapan, former Dean of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law, as the prospective Minister of Justice, and Mr. Pisan Manawapat, former Thai ambassador and NCPO-era senator, as the prospective Minister of Foreign Affairs. On 11 Jan, the People’s Party plans to launch "The Professionals" series, unveiling its government management team.
Ms. Kalyapat stated, “No matter how many technocrats or highly skilled professors with doctorates you bring in, their value does not compare to the commitment of one person who must leave. Hundreds of doctors cannot replace Luk-Kaed, Toto, Kaewta, or P’Mart. For clarity, I respect the senior academics appointed as external cabinet ministers, but I prioritize those who have invested time in the party, share its DNA, and understand its identity. The party overreacted to the presence of Supajee, Sihasak, and Akniti — all of whom I respect, especially Supajee — but they have not helped our party. Why can’t Rom be Justice Minister? Why can’t Vayo or P’Mart lead the Health Ministry? Why can’t P’Sia, P’Mod, or Name be Minister of Labor? Why can’t Luk-Kaed or Kaewta manage Foreign Affairs? Or Ao Juang become Education Minister without question? My brother can lead Commerce; Lawyer Jam can oversee Social Development; Kop or Tao can improve Tourism; and P’Viroj can handle Defense; P’Pek and P’Ni can manage Natural Resources easily. We just need patience for our time to come.”
Ms. Kalyapat Rojitroj, nicknamed “New” but commonly called “Dr. New” because she graduated with a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University (second-class honors). She later earned a Master of Science in Dermatology from Cardiff University, Wales, UK (Merit - second class honors). She graduated high school from Triam Udom Suksa School and is currently 36 years old.
In the 2023 election, she was number 37 on the Move Forward Party’s party-list, working in public health. On the party’s website, she described herself: “To all citizens as the ultimate owners of power, I am an ordinary doctor dreaming of a better Thailand. Our potential is vast, but structural problems hold us down, forcing us to work without fulfilling our dreams. I regret the lost opportunities for our country and everyone. While we don’t all start equally, our equality lies in our rights as Thai citizens to a better quality of life. I believe Thai people deserve to stand proudly on the world stage, provided we have a government that values its people and citizens ready to change together. One day will be our day.”
Dr. New was first elected as an MP after the Move Forward Party won first place in the election, largely due to the popularity of its prime ministerial candidate, Mr. Pita Limjaroenrat, and the campaign slogan "With Us, No Uncle" in the final campaign stretch. In parliament, Dr. New served on the e-cigarette commission and made speeches on topics such as whether the military should be responsible for drug production and preparations for responding to the Mpox outbreak.
The Drama-addict Facebook page once criticized Dr. New’s speech regarding pseudoephedrine drugs, stating: “It’s good to scrutinize defense matters, but the information must be accurate. If mistakes cause misunderstandings that the drug is dangerous, that’s very bad. The discussion on this drug was so confused that it’s unbelievable it was brought up. Those in medicine know how inaccurate it was. It was so confused even the party’s own supporters couldn’t tolerate it because it was so wrong.”
For the 2026 election, the People’s Party released its list of 100 party-list candidates but did not include Dr. New Kalyapat, as she failed the selection criteria. Subsequently, she deleted photos with and unfollowed Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, the party leader, on Instagram.
The People’s Party has explained that only a very small number of former MPs did not meet the criteria to continue. Many former MPs have chosen to step away from politics to make way for a new generation.
