Thailand’s political landscape is undergoing a dramatic shake-up as key parties and leaders jockey for influence in the wake of a pivotal court ruling and the emergence of a new government. On September 13, 2025, reports from various Thai news outlets, including Prachachat, painted a vivid picture of the maneuvering and high-stakes negotiations shaping the nation’s immediate future.
At the center of the current political maelstrom stands the Bhumjaithai Party, now tasked with leading a government under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Though the administration’s initial mandate is expected to last just four months, many observers believe these months could determine the country’s political trajectory for years to come. The government faces the dual challenge of overhauling the constitution and rebooting the economy—no small feat, especially under such a tight deadline.
The constitutional reform process has taken on new urgency after a recent Constitutional Court decision. According to Prachachat, the court ruled that any new constitution must be subject to three rounds of public referendums. The first asks whether the public wants a new constitution at all. The second seeks input on the drafting process and key content. The third, held after Parliament completes a draft, asks voters to approve or reject the new document. In a nod to efficiency, the court allowed the first two referendums to be held together if needed.
The People’s Party, holding more than 140 parliamentary seats and a crucial role in supporting Anutin’s government, has wasted no time in applying pressure. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, party leader, made the party’s stance clear: “Any actions that show Bhumjaithai is not following our agreement, we are ready to use our votes in Parliament to keep the government in line.” The message? The coalition’s support hinges on constitutional progress, and any wavering could bring the government to its knees.
In response, Anutin has set up a dedicated working group to chart the course for constitutional reform. Chaiyan Chidchob leads the team, with Paradorn Prisananantakul as deputy and a roster of other prominent lawmakers and legal experts, including Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Warasit Liangprasert, Pimpraeda Tanjanaraks, and Thanis Sriprathet (who also serves as secretary). Their task: study the referendum process and draft a detailed roadmap for the new constitution.
Adding to the legal firepower is Bowornsak Uwanno, a renowned public law scholar and former member of the 1997 Constitution Drafting Assembly. Bowornsak’s experience is especially relevant—after the 2014 coup, he served as vice president of the National Reform Council and chair of the Constitution Drafting Committee, where he advocated for a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system akin to Germany’s. Although that draft was ultimately rejected, Bowornsak’s ideas left a lasting mark, leading to the 2017 constitution and shaping Thai political discourse ever since.
Bowornsak’s views on constitutional reform underscore the current debate. In a formal opinion submitted to the Constitutional Court in 2021, he argued, “I believe that establishing a Constitution Drafting Assembly is consistent with our traditions, as we have done in 1948 and 1996. The key difference this time is that all 200 members would be directly elected by the people.” He continued, “According to Article 256 (8), any amendment to the constitution must be put to a public referendum. To save public funds and avoid overburdening voters, it is reasonable to seek a mandate for a new constitution and approval of the draft in one go, by asking two questions in the referendum: First, do you approve drafting a new constitution to replace the 2017 one? If not, there’s no need to answer the second. Second, if you do approve, do you accept the attached draft?” Bowornsak also noted, “This approach is similar to what France did in 1946 and aligns with international legal theory, global best practices, and the traditions of our Constitutional Court.”
The Bhumjaithai Party has pledged to honor its agreement with the People’s Party and move quickly on constitutional reform. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy leader of Bhumjaithai and a member of the reform working group, explained, “Bhumjaithai will move forward as agreed with the People’s Party, urgently proposing an amendment to Article 256 alongside drafts from the People’s Party and Pheu Thai Party, then proceed to the referendum.”
But the government’s to-do list doesn’t stop at politics. Anutin’s administration must also address the country’s economic woes. To that end, the cabinet has brought in outside experts, including Ekniti Nitithanprapas as deputy prime minister and finance minister, Suphajee Suthumpun (CEO of Dusit Thani) as commerce minister, and Attaphol Rerkpiboon (former CEO of OR) as energy minister. The hope is that these appointments will help “reset the business structure,” as Prachachat put it, and set the country on a path toward long-term prosperity.
Siripong, who also leads Bhumjaithai’s economic policy team, outlined the party’s short-term priorities: “Our executive committee has a set of economic policies, including short-term stimulus, reducing household expenses, and attracting tourists. But we’ll need to hear from the new finance minister about which policies to implement. Importantly, any project that brings revenue into the country must continue, such as green economy, green agriculture, and green energy.” He added, “Over the next four months, we must solve the problem of falling agricultural prices, lower energy costs, and improve people’s incomes and livelihoods. These are the main objectives we want to achieve in the short time we have. If a project can be done quickly, we’ll do it. If regulations or procedures are an obstacle, we’ll adjust them as needed.”
Meanwhile, the Democrat Party (ประชาธิปัตย์), Thailand’s oldest political party, continues to play a significant—if sometimes overshadowed—role in shaping the country’s democratic institutions. Founded in 1945, the party has weathered countless political storms and leadership changes, with figures like Jurin Laksanawisit (จุรินทร์) at the helm in recent years. According to recent reports, the party’s influence is still felt in debates over electoral systems and constitutional design, particularly its support for the Mixed Member Proportional system, which has left a lasting imprint on Thai politics since the 2017 charter.
With the clock ticking, Anutin’s government faces intense scrutiny from both allies and opposition. The next four months will test the coalition’s unity, the resolve of reformers, and the patience of a public eager for stability and progress. The stakes could hardly be higher, and Thailand’s political future hangs in the balance as leaders race to deliver on their promises before time runs out.
In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on Parliament, the cabinet, and the streets, as the nation watches to see if this extraordinary political moment will yield the reforms and renewal so many have demanded.
