PUBLISHED : 23 Nov 2025 at 16:37
The ruling Bhumjaithai Party, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, has welcomed a new wave of MPs defecting from parties in the former coalition government led by the now-opposition Pheu Thai Party.
Bhumjaithai convened a special meeting at its Bangkok headquarters on Sunday to establish a new MP candidate recruitment committee. The event drew several veteran politicians who officially confirmed their move to the ruling party.
Among them were a group aligned with Chartthaipattana Party leader Varawut Silpa-archa and another headed by Sontaya Kunplome.
Chartthaipattana director Nikorn Chamnong said ten MPs from his party had joined Bhumjaithai because Chartthaipattana, as a small party, struggled to advance legislation and address public issues. By moving to Bhumjaithai, they hoped to better support the royal institution and push for a “people’s constitution”, he said.
Mr Nikorn added that Chartthaipattana would continue to exist as a political party under its former leader Kanchana Silpa-archa, Mr Varawut’s elder sister.
In addition to the Kunplome group and the Chartthaipattana MPs, Bhumjaithai also welcomed two female MPs from Khon Kaen and Ubon Ratchathani previously with Pheu Thai, as well as two Phetchaburi MPs formerly with the United Thai Nation Party.
Prime Minister Anutin said he hoped Bhumjaithai would earn strong support from voters in the next general election, expected early next year.