Economic Party (Thailand)
Economic Party พรรคเศรษฐกิจ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Rangsi Kitiyanathap |
| Chairperson | Chris Potanan |
| Secretary-General | Peeraphon Kanokvalai |
| Founded | Thai Civil Power Party 10 August 2018 Zen-dai Party 19 February 2023 Economic Party 26 April 2025 |
| Split from | Move Forward Party |
| Preceded by | Zen-dai Group |
| Headquarters | 226/1 Phetkasem Road, Wat Tha Phra Subdistrict, Bangkok Yai District, Bangkok 10600 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-right |
| Colours | Black Yellow |
| Bangkok Metropolitan Council | 1 / 50
|
| Website | |
| zendaiparty | |
Economic Party (Thai: พรรคเศรษฐกิจ) is a Thai political party founded on March 2, 2018, with the original name of Thai Citizen Power[1] Thai Citizen and Zen-dai
History
Thai Citizen Power Party
The Thai Citizen Power Party was formed by former ministers and former MPs from all regions of the country, led by Samphan Lertnuwat, a former minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, as the prospective party leader. Other founding members included several former ministers, such as Ekkaporn Rakkhamsuk and Piyanat Watcharapon.[2]
The party held its first general meeting on Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 13:30 at the Miracle Grand Hotel.[3] Samphan Lertnuwat was elected as the first party leader, and Ekkaporn Rakkhamsuk was elected as the first party secretary-general, along with five deputy party leaders. Silampa Lertnuwat was appointed as the deputy secretary-general.[4] Mr. Samphan and his team officially submitted the registration for the establishment of the Thai Citizen Power Party on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.[5] The Election Commission registered the Thai Citizen Power Party as the 4th political party of 2018 on Friday, August 10, 2018, and it was published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday, September 13, 2018.[6]
Thai Citizen Party
Later, the Thai Citizen Power Party held an extraordinary general meeting (3/2018) on December 10, 2018, where it was resolved to change the party's name to Thai Citizen Power Party.[7] Mr. Samphan Lertnuwat continued to serve as the party leader. Subsequently, Mr. Samphan decided to resign from his positions as party leader and party member. He took his daughter, Silumpa, who was the party's only MP, to join the United Thai Nation Party after the party's executive committee resolved to expel them on February 8, 2023.[8]
Zen-dai Party
After Mr. Samphan Lertnuwat resigned as the party leader, the Thai Citizen Power Party held an annual general meeting to elect a new executive committee on February 19, 2023.[9][10] The meeting elected Chris Potanan, a former founder of the Future Forward Party, as the new party leader and changed the party's name to Zen-dai Party.[8] The Zen-dai Party held its first public rally on Sunday, March 5, 2023.[11]
Economic Party
Chris Potanan, leader of the Zen Dai Party, announced his resignation as party leader on April 25, 2025, to pave the way for a new leader to be elected at the party's general meeting the following day.[12] The party's meeting changed its name to the Economic Party and elected a new party executive committee. The meeting resolved to appoint General Rangsi Kitiyanathap, former director-general of the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station, to the position of party leader, while Chris Potanan moved to the position of party chairman, while the party secretary-general remains Peerapol Kanokwanlai. The Economic Party will propose THE FINAL EXIT policy to revive the Thai economy. As a result of the Thai economy entering a prolonged recession, businesses are closing down, bad debts are accumulating, and people's incomes are falling. The Economic Party has proposed 4 main policies to urgently revive the country, including:
- MEGA PROJECT INFRASTRUCTURE elevates Thailand to become a global logistics hub through a high-speed rail network connecting Laos-Thailand-Myanmar-India-Malaysia-Singapore, covering a population of over 1.7 billion people.
- OCEAN LINK STRATEGY Unlocks Marine Potential, Drives Oceanside Industrial-Agricultural Zones, Attracts Investment from BRICS, Targets Average Income of Citizens to Reach $20,000/Year in 10 Years.
- ZERO CORRUPTION proposes a new anti-corruption law, with the highest penalty being death penalty, and execution within 1 year after the Supreme Court's verdict, to increase transparency in administration.
- JUSTICE SYSTEM REFORM Reform the justice system, separate arrest from investigation, break the cycle of systematic crime, and unlock economic barriers.
The party's long-term goal is to have Thai people earn an average of 50,000 baht per month within 16 years and push the economy to grow by an average of 6.5% per year to elevate Thailand to a fully developed country.[13]
Political Role
In the 2019 Thai general election, the Thai Citizen Power Party had one party-list MP, Silumpa Lertnuwat.
After changing its name to the Zen-dai Party, one member of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council from the Move Forward Party, Peeraphon Kanokvalai, joined the Zen-dai Party and also served as its secretary-general.
In the 2023 Thai general election, the Zen-dai Party announced its candidacy primarily in the Bangkok area, contesting in 20 districts and fielding 11 party-list candidates.[14] Some candidates had previously run for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council under the Move Forward Party but were not elected.
Party Ideology
The Zen-dai Party's policies, as announced on their website,[15] support economic freedom through free market policies, free trade, tax rate reductions, and downsizing the state in line with Chicago School of Economics principles.[16] The party's social and political policies focus on reducing and eliminating cronyism in society and promoting democracy without relying on power structures established for the benefit of a select few.[15]
Party Personnel
Party Leaders
| Thai Civil Power Party | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | Start | End |
| 1 | Samphan Lertnuwat | 10 August 2018 | 10 December 2018 |
| Thai Citizen Power Party | |||
| 2 | Ekkaporn Rakkhamsuk | 10 December 2018 | 6 February 2019 |
| - | Silumpa Lertnuwat | 6 February 2019 (Acting) |
15 September 2019 |
| (1) | Samphan Lertnuwat | 15 September 2019 | 8 February 2023 |
| Zen-dai Party | |||
| 3 | Chris Potanan | 19 February 2023 | Present |
Party Secretaries
| Thai Civil Power Party | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | Start | End |
| 1 | Ekkaporn Rakkhamsuk | 10 August 2018 | 10 December 2018 |
| Thai Citizen Power Party | |||
| (1) | Ekkaporn Rakkhamsuk | 10 December 2018 | 6 February 2019 |
| - | Somkiat Watthanasirichai | 6 February 2019 (Acting) |
15 September 2019 |
| 2 | Silumpa Lertnuwat | 15 September 2019 | 8 February 2023 |
| Zen-dai Party | |||
| 3 | Peeraphon Kanokvalai | 19 February 2023 | Present |
General Election Results
| Election | Number of Seats | Total Votes | Vote Share | Seat Change | Election Outcome | Election Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thai Citizen Power Party | ||||||
| 2019 | 1 / 500
|
44,961 | 0.13% |  1
|
Joined Government | Samphan Lertnuwat |
| Zen-dai Party | ||||||
| 2023 | 0 / 500
|
10,410 |  1
|
Not Elected | Chris Potanan | |
See also
- Politics of Thailand
- List of political parties in Thailand
- Libertarianism in Asia
References
- ^ กกต.เปิดวันแรกคึก30กลุ่มการเมืองแห่จองชื้อจัดตั้งพรรค โพสต์ทูเดย์, March 2, 2018
- ^ Former MPs form Thai Civil Power Party to contest elections Post Today, 30 January 2018
- ^ Touched by the NCPO! 'Sia Ting' declares no need to unlock, schedules Thai Civil Power Party meeting for April 29
- ^ Thai Civil Power Party holds general meeting, Samphan reiterates support for any PM who complies with the constitution
- ^ 'Sia Ting' leads members in registering the establishment of the Thai Civil Power Party, with 676 founding members
- ^ Announcement of the Registrar of Political Parties regarding the registration of the establishment of the Thai Citizen Power Party
- ^ Extraordinary General Meeting of the Thai Civil Power Party 3/2018 Royal Gazette, 22 Mar 2019
- ^ a b "UTN" gains an MP after "Silumpa" joins - "Chris" appointed to oversee "PTP"
- ^ "Samphan" leaves "Thai Citizen Power Party," Silumpa prepares to run as MP with a major party
- ^ "Samphan Lertnuwat" brings daughter "Silumpa" to join "UTN" to support "Prayut" as PM, "Ekanat" prepares to go to the South for discussions with "Big Family of Narathiwat," aiming for a clean sweep of 4 districts
- ^ Election 2023: Huai Khwang residents show support for "Chris Potanan" of the Zen-dai Party
- ^ ""คริส" ทิ้งเก้าอี้หัวหน้าพรรคเส้นด้าย เปิดทางสู่การเปลี่ยนแปลงภายในพรรค" ["Chris" leaves the position of leader of the Zen Dai Party, paving the way for changes within the party]. thaitv5hd.com. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
- ^ ""เส้นด้าย" เปิดทาง! พลิกโฉมสู่ "พรรคเศรษฐกิจ"" ["Zen Dai" paves the way! Transforming into an "Economic Party"]. thaitv5hd.com. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
- ^ "Zen-dai Party, Policies, Election 2023, Party Information, Candidates for Constituency and Party-List MPs". vote62.com (in Thai).
- ^ a b "Zen-dai Party". zendaiparty.org.
- ^ "Chris Potanan - Chris Potranandana". www.facebook.com (in Thai). (Discussing main party policies and responding to questions in comments)