The People’s Party held a general meeting confirming Natthapong as party leader, Pijit as party secretary, and Lisa as spokesperson. The party is actively driving forward change by working on ideas both inside and outside the party and accelerating candidate development nationwide.
At 08:30 on 26 Apr 2026 GMT+7. The People’s Party (PPP). Held the 1/2026 annual general meeting at Maple Hotel Bangna, Bangkok, attended by party leaders including: Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, party-list Member of Parliament (MP) and party leader. Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, party-list MP and deputy party leader; Mr. Weerayut Kanchanachuchat, party-list MP and deputy party leader; Mr. Natthawut Buapratum, party-list MP and party registrar; Mr. Sarayut Jailek, former party secretary; Mr. Parit Watcharasindhu, party-list MP and party spokesperson; along with other MPs and party members attending in full.
Mr. Natthapong opened the meeting by explaining the party’s new structural adjustments and future direction for government oversight and party advancement. He said this is the official general meeting, but they had held joint seminars over the past two days. During that time, discussions went beyond internal party issues to address national problems and the country’s future. The key focus is how the People’s Party can become a vehicle to drive genuine societal change toward a better future.
Over the past week, discussions covered several issues that had been raised since the election, acknowledging that post-election uncertainties emerged in society. Through dialogue and consensus-building, clarity was achieved within the party and in what is presented to society. This clarity concerns three aspects: personnel, party operations, and key national obstacles. Additionally, four important milestones were identified to present to the Thai public, highlighting what significant developments are expected in 2026.
First, congratulations to the 10 MPs who will continue their duties in the House of Representatives. Second, clarity regarding the new party executive committee, which will be formally presented on the meeting agenda. The party has faced pressure about its direction—whether to be a trend-driven party or to adapt to grassroots politics like other parties have done in the past.
"Change cannot follow only one path; we must pursue both paths simultaneously and optimally. Members suggested intensifying intellectual work starting within the party. They questioned how we can engage with the public if our own members hold differing views and beliefs. This is crucial, and I promise all members that the executive committee and party leadership will focus on strengthening intellectual work continuously both inside and outside the party."
However, intellectual work alone cannot bring true change; intense grassroots work is also necessary. The party will establish local leaders to plant seeds of thought among the public and future generations. Our grassroots efforts will never involve handouts or creating indebtedness to politicians. The public should not owe us anything; we must serve them. Members proposed that organizing mass support means inviting people to take ownership of issues and work alongside us to solve local problems.
The party leader added that today, the main obstacles in Thailand are not external. If the government system and politics are strong, with a government free of ambiguity, and parliamentarians are not controlled by any improper group, then regardless of external challenges, the public can always hope for better outcomes. For example, during the recent energy crisis, those with connections to major groups or energy capital accessed resources faster than smaller players.
Our key task is to focus and clearly show the Thai people, regardless of past party choices, that the real obstacle and enemy is not the immediate energy crisis or future crises, but the internal crisis within ourselves. We must fight the patronage political system, factional politics, non-transparent independent agencies, the Senate, and bureaucracy disconnected from the people. This is the responsibility of all of us. Our communication must clearly point out that the major obstacle to the country is the monopolistic regime eroding the nation. The four milestones are:
1. Preparing to launch a shadow cabinet to monitor and advise the government.
2. Driving nine parliamentary commissions, crediting the negotiation team for securing strong commissions to advance our agenda in this parliament.
3. Strategic area work: the party has formed teams to win elections. Candidates will be finalized by July to allow time for local work, policy presentation, and planting intellectual seeds among the public. Early candidate selection also allows voters to scrutinize qualifications sooner.
4. Local elections: the Lamphun model shows how local change can lead to national change. The party is committed to local elections, including Pattaya and Bangkok. By early July, the Bangkok team’s candidates for governor and city council will offer good options for Bangkok residents. Thanks to all members for their spirit and belief in our mass party, meaning everyone truly participates in setting the party’s direction.
At 09:40, Mr. Natthapong proposed new executive committee members to replace former secretary Mr. Sarayut Jailek, who resigned: Mr. Pijit Chaowaphatwanwong as party secretary. Also included were Ms. Sutthawan Suban Na Ayudhya, former MP from Nakhon Pathom, appointed as party executive committee member. Meanwhile, Mr. Natthapong remains party leader. Other positions remain unchanged.
In closing, Mr. Natthapong said that Mr. Weerayut's words during the two days of communication with party members reaffirm that all executive committee members are ready to work fully to serve party members and all Thai people. In the current social media era, individuals can rise to prominence, but there is also a daily fake news war attacking them. The progressive movement will advance powerfully only if the process is maintained. The concern is that individual prominence might cause the process to collapse. He does not believe this will happen to the People’s Party if members maintain spirit, party rules, discipline, self-control, and fully deliberate democracy within the party, while externally moving forward united and powerfully. He believes this will truly lead to change.
1. Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, party leader.
2. Mr. Pijit Chaowaphatwanwong, party secretary.
3. Ms. Chutima Kotchan, party treasurer.
4. Mr. Natthawut Buapratum, party registrar.
5. Ms. Sutthawan Suban Na Ayudhya, party executive committee member.
Ms. Phakamon Noon-anun serves as party spokesperson.