What is the future of Future Forward? - An evening with Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit

One of the bigger surprises in Thailand’s March 24 general election was the strong showing of Future Forward, a new and youthful party. Under the leadership of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, its telegenic billionaire founder, Future Forward ran on a reformist platform, promising among other things to cut the budget of the armed forces and end conscription. Younger voters in particular – and seven million were voting for the first time – responded to the pro-change message and fresh appeal of Future Forward, giving it the third highest share of the vote and 80 seats in the lower house. But the party has aroused the hostility of the military and conservatives, who accuse it of being too radical and not royalist enough. A number of questionable criminal charges have been filed against party leaders, raising the possibility that they could be disqualified and the party dissolved. Future Forward has for the moment allied itself to Pheu Thai, the main Thaksin-backed party, and is likely to go into opposition when parliament convenes if the pro-military Palang Pracharath party forms a government as expected. The FCCT is pleased to invite Thanathorn back to explain how his party plans to navigate this difficult and unpredictable political environment.