# Thai Teachers for People Party

The Thai Teachers for People Party (Thai: พรรคครูเพื่อประชาชน, Phrak Khru Pheu Prachachon) is a political party in Thailand that was initially registered in August 2009. The party was founded with Athipong Boonphleung serving as the party leader and Hatahinuch Boonphleung as the party secretary. The party was dissolved in 2010 but was later re-established in 2011. The party’s primary policy focus is on debt relief for teachers and addressing issues related to the student loan fund.

## History
### Founding Era, 2009

The Thai Teachers for People Party was established under the Political Party Act B.E. 2007 and was officially registered as political party number 13/2009 on August 7, 2009. The founding leaders were Athipong Boonphleung, serving as the party leader, and Hatahinuch Boonphleung, serving as the party secretary. The party's office was initially located at Makkhuda Akhet Building, Krung Kasem Road, Bang Khun Phrom Subdistrict, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.
However, on July 11, 2010, the general assembly of the Thai Teachers for People Party resolved to dissolve the party. This dissolution was officially announced on August 19, 2010, in accordance with the political party registrar's order No. 60/2010.

### Founding Era, 2011

On June 28, 2011, the **Thai Teachers for People Party** was re-registered, with Natthawat Boonphleungpan and Hatahinuch Boonphleung as the party leader and secretary, respectively. The party continued to use the same office as during its original registration.
Later, on September 21, 2012, Natthawat resigned from his position as the party leader, leading to the resignation of the entire executive committee. The party convened an extraordinary general meeting on September 29, 2012, during which Prida Boonphleung was elected as the new party leader, and Natthawat Boonphleungpan was appointed as the new secretary.
Prida Boonphleung resigned from his position as party leader on April 27, 2014, prompting the resignation of the entire executive committee.
On October 29, 2018, the party held its first general meeting of 2018 to amend its regulations, political declarations, and policies, as well as elect a new executive committee. Prida Boonphleung was re-elected as party leader, and Suwich Yo Thongyoth was appointed as the new party secretary. The party also relocated its office to Thananangnae Subdistrict, Waeng Noi District, Khon Kaen Province.
On October 30, 2021, the party held its annual general meeting, where Prida Boonphleung resigned again, leading to the resignation of the executive committee. A new election was held, resulting in Prida being re-elected as party leader, with Professor Dr. Chaiporn Thanathavakit, a former dean at Bangkok Thonburi University, being chosen as the new party secretary.
On March 3, 2023, 13 members of the executive committee resigned, leaving only 10 members remaining. The following day, the party held its annual general meeting to amend the party's regulations, replacing the 2018 rules with a new version for 2023. A new executive committee of 27 members was elected, with Prida remaining as party leader and Phairoj Krajangpan, a former deputy leader, becoming the new party secretary.
On April 9, 2023, Karnika Ussreecha, a member of the executive committee, submitted her resignation, leaving 26 members remaining on the committee.

### Elections

In the **2019 Thai general election** held on March 24, 2019, the **Thai Teachers for People Party** won 1 seat in the House of Representatives, with party leader Prida Boonphleung being elected. After the election, the party joined the government coalition with the **Palang Pracharath Party** and supported General Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister.
In the **2023 Thai general election**, the party's platform focused on reforming Thai education, including updating the curriculum, improving administrative systems, developing teachers, and reducing school hours. As a result, the Thai Teachers for People Party secured one seat in the House of Representatives through the party-list system, with Prida Boonphleung remaining as the party leader.

## Ideology

The Thai Teachers for People Party is rooted in the principles of educational reform, teacher welfare, and social justice. Its ideology emphasizes the following key areas:

### Educational Reform

The party advocates for comprehensive reforms in Thailand’s education system, including:
* Updating the national curriculum to meet modern standards.
* Improving administrative systems to reduce bureaucracy and enhance efficiency.
* Reducing school hours to allow for more holistic development of students.

### Teacher Welfare

The party prioritizes the well-being of teachers through policies such as:
* Debt relief programs for teachers burdened by loans.
* Improved salaries, benefits, and working conditions.
* Professional development opportunities to enhance teaching quality.

### Social Justice

The party is committed to promoting social justice by:
* Addressing income inequality and ensuring fair access to education.
* Advocating for policies that support marginalized communities.
* Promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

### Democratic Governance

The party supports strengthening democratic institutions and processes, including:
* Electoral reforms to ensure fair representation.
* Decentralization of power to empower local communities.
* Protection of civil liberties and human rights.

## Personnel
### Party Leaders

List of Party Leaders :
| No. | Name | Term Start | Term End | Duration |
| 1 | Athipong Boonphleung | August 7, 2009 | August 19, 2010 | 1 year, 12 days |
| 2 | Natthawat Boonphleungpan | June 28, 2011 | September 21, 2012 | 1 year, 85 days |
| 3 | Prida Boonphleung | September 29, 2012 | April 27, 2014 | 1 year, 210 days |
| 3 | Prida Boonphleung | October 29, 2018 | October 21, 2027 | 8 years, 357 days |

### Party Secretaries

List of Party Secretaries :
| No. | Name | Term Start | Term End | Duration |
| 1 | Hatahinuch Boonphleung | August 7, 2009 | August 19, 2010 | 1 year, 12 days |
| 1 | Hatahinuch Boonphleung | June 28, 2011 | September 21, 2012 | 1 year, 85 days |
| 2 | Natthawat Boonphleungpan | September 29, 2012 | April 27, 2014 | 1 year, 210 days |
| 3 | Suwich Yoothongyot | October 29, 2018 | Present | 6 years, 82 days |

### General Election Results

Election Performance of the Thai Teachers for People Party :
| Election | Number of Seats | Total Votes | Vote Share | Change in Seats | Election Outcome | Election Leader |
| 2011 | 0 / 500 | 0 | 0% | 0 | Not Elected | Natthawat Boonphleungpan |
| 2014 | − | − | − | – | Election Invalid | Prida Boonphleung |
| 2019 | 1 / 500 | 56,633 | 0.16% | 1 | Joined Government Coalition | Prida Boonphleung |
| 2023 | 1 / 500 | 171,687 | 0.23% | 0 | Opposition | Prida Boonphleung |