Introducing Parit Wacharasindhu, who is named as the potential new leader of the People’s Party if Theng Natthapong loses his position due to the case involving 44 former Move Forward MPs, necessitating a successor to serve as opposition leader.
On 12 Feb 2026 GMT+7, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) concluded its investigation into the case involving 44 former Move Forward MPs who signed a petition to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code. A vote will decide whether to indict them before the Supreme Court rules. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, is among the 44 former MPs under review. It is anticipated he may be ordered to suspend his parliamentary duties, which would likely cost him key positions such as opposition leader. To secure important roles in parliament, the People’s Party must reorganize its executive committee. Sarayut Jailak, secretary-general of the People’s Party, plans to resign after the party secured only 118 MPs in parliament, falling short of its 200-seat target. He did not deny that as part of the strategy to address the 44-MP case, Parit Wacharasindhu, the party’s spokesperson, is being promoted to become the new party leader, replacing Natthapong.
Parit Wacharasindhu, nicknamed “Icecream,” was born on 10 Dec 1992 and will turn 34 in 2026. He is the son of Professor Dr. Sutthipong Wacharasindhu, a pediatrician at Chulalongkorn University and president of the Thai Pediatric Endocrine Society, and Professor Dr. Alisa Wacharasindhu, head of the Child Psychiatry Unit at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. His mother is the elder sister of Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister and current leader of the Democrat Party, and younger sister of Ngamphan Vejjajiva, a S.E.A. Write Award-winning author.
Parit has one older brother, Phasut Wacharasindhu, known as Atom, who graduated in economics from the University of Cambridge in the UK.
Icecream Parit graduated from Chulalongkorn University Demonstration School and Shrewsbury International School. He received the King's Scholarship to attend Eton College in England and earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) from the University of Oxford. Demonstrating exceptional ability, he was elected president of the Oxford Union, becoming the first Thai and first Southeast Asian to hold this position.
While studying in England, Parit was a member of the Democrat Youth Program and interned at the Prime Minister’s Office during Abhisit’s tenure, marking his first exposure to high-level political administration at age 16–17.
In 2015, after graduation, Parit worked as a management consultant at McKinsey, handling projects across Southeast Asia for three years. He then resigned to pursue full-time politics with the Democrat Party in 2018, preparing for elections. He co-founded “NewDem” (New Generation Democrats) with Dr. Egg Kanawat Chantralaoan, Surabot Likphai (son of Chuan Likphai), Phrom Phromphong Phanwichean, Nan Siripa Intawichian, Idea Suchada Tanthap, and Tun Jitpas Kridakorn to modernize the party's image and promote progressive liberal policies such as abolishing conscription, LGBTQ+ rights, and medical cannabis legalization.
However, in 2019, the Democrat Party lost the election to the Pheu Thai Party, securing only 53 seats. Abhisit resigned as party leader, succeeded by Jurin Laksanawisit. The party chose to join a coalition government with the Palang Pracharath Party to support Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, despite Abhisit’s earlier opposition to coups. Consequently, some NewDem members resigned. Parit submitted his resignation letter, stating, “I apologize that what you received is not what you chose.” He then took a political hiatus.
Subsequently, he founded and served as CEO of StartDee, an educational technology startup aimed at expanding educational opportunities for Thai children. He also founded the Re-Solution group to campaign for the 2017 constitution’s amendment and abolition of the appointed Senate, working closely with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Piyabutr Saengkanokkul. In 2022, he joined the Move Forward Party as Policy Campaign Manager and was elected as a party-list MP after the party won the most seats.
Parit played a key role in the party by promoting the "military reform" policy, especially ending conscription, a campaign he began with NewDem and refined under Move Forward. His education policies aimed to achieve truly free education by reducing hidden costs, “return teachers to students” by reducing paperwork to increase teaching time, and curriculum reform to emphasize 21st-century practical skills over rote memorization. He also advocated for a fully elected Constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution. After Move Forward was dissolved, he became the spokesperson for the successor People’s Party, led by Natthapong, continuing in that role.
Most recently, rumors have surfaced that Parit may become the new leader of the People’s Party, replacing Natthapong if the court orders him to suspend his duties.
