How a Thai political faction transformed from a minor party into a power player

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Kla Tham Party, originally founded as the Thai Economic Party in 2020, has undergone a series of rapid leadership changes and strategic rebrandings. Now serving as the political vehicle for a prominent breakaway faction, the party is actively consolidating influence by absorbing MPs from various smaller political organizations.

The Kla Tham Party, initially registered as the Thai Economic Party on April 7, 2020, has functioned as a volatile entity within the Thai political landscape. Its early years were marked by frequent leadership turnover and executive committee dissolutions. Following the resignation of its first leader, Prasong Wararattanakul, in early 2021, the party entered a period of instability that saw multiple leadership shifts, including the involvement of figures like General Wit Devahastin Na Ayudhya and Major General Thammanat Prompao. By April 25, 2023, the party officially rebranded as Kla Tham, updating its ideology and policies to signal a new direction.

The party's current trajectory is defined by its role as the base for the Thammanat Group, a faction of MPs that separated from the Palang Pracharath and Pheu Thai parties. This consolidation accelerated significantly in late 2024. Following the expulsion of Major General Thammanat and 20 of his faction members from the Palang Pracharath Party on December 11, 2024, the group officially joined Kla Tham on December 18, 2024. This influx of experienced politicians has fundamentally altered the party's parliamentary standing and strategic focus.

Under the leadership of Narumon Pinyosinwat, who was elected party leader on August 6, 2024, Kla Tham has adopted a regional focus, targeting support in the northern, southern, and northeastern parts of Thailand. The party's influence is further evidenced by its presence in the cabinet; as of September 3, 2024, Narumon Pinyosinwat serves as the minister of agriculture and cooperatives, with Itthi Sirilattayakorn as her deputy. As the party prepares for future cycles, it continues to integrate new members from smaller parties, positioning itself as a significant opposition force within the current legislative framework.

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