The Justice Unity Party (Thai: พรรคสามัคคีธรรม, RTGS: Phak Samakkhi Tham), which later changed its name to the Liberal Party (Thai: พรรคเทิดไท, RTGS: Phak Thoet Thai) , was a Thai pro-military and conservative political party established after the military coup d'état of 1991.[1] It represented the interests of the military, bureaucracy and provincial business owners.[1]
History
Foundation and March 1992 election
The party was founded by Narong Wongwan, who became party chairman, and Thiti Nakornthap, who was close to the National Peace Keeping Council.[2] It enjoyed the support of junta leader Air Chief MarshalKaset Rojananil. The Justice Unity Party won the parliamentary election in March 1992 and nominated Suchinda Kraprayoon to become prime minister.[1] In the ensuing conflict between the military-backed government and the pro-democratic movement, Thai media counted the party among the so-called "devil parties". The conflict eventually escalated to a bloody crackdown on the opposition protest movement ("Black May") and the downfall of the Suchinda government. As a result, the party was discredited and most of its representatives deserted it to join more promising parties, mainly the National Development Party.[3]
On 9 July 1992, the Justice Unity Party changed its name and elected a new executive committee, becoming the Liberal Party. Anuwat Wattanapongsiri [th] became the party leader and Sompong Amornwiwat became the secretary. The changes were announced by the Government Gazette on 22 July 1992.[4]
After running the Liberal Party briefly, Anuwat and the entire party executive committee announced their resignation from the party on 10 August 1992.[5] The party then ceased political activity, with no candidates standing in the September 1992 election. The Supreme Court therefore issued Supreme Court Order 4098/1992, dated 24 December 1992, to dissolve the Liberal Party.[6]
References
^ abcConnors, Michael K. (2001), "Thailand", The Southeast Asia Handbook, Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers