Leadership shake-up for opposition People’s Party

Monday, April 20, 2026

The People’s Party is set to reorganize its leadership ahead of its annual meeting, with Deputy Leader Veerayooth Kanchoochot expected to become party leader and several regional and spokesperson roles being reassigned. This reshuffle coincides with a crucial Supreme Court ruling on April 24 regarding ethics violations by former Move Forward Party MPs who joined the PP, a decision that could lead to political bans and significantly impact the opposition’s future composition and strategy.

The opposition People’s Party (PP) is poised for a major leadership restructuring ahead of its annual general meeting scheduled from April 24 to 26. Sources indicate that Deputy Leader Veerayooth Kanchoochot is likely to succeed current party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, who is expected to step down and assume the role of secretary-general. This transition will replace Sarayut Jailak, who recently resigned from the secretary-general position.

Alongside the top leadership changes, other key roles are anticipated to be filled. List Member of Parliament (MP) Pakamon Noom-anan is expected to become the party’s new spokeswoman, taking over from Parit Wacharasindhu, who is likely to be appointed as the opposition chief whip. Regional leadership positions will also see adjustments, with Chiang Mai MP Pattarapong Leelapat set to oversee the upper Northern region, former Phitsanulok MP Supakorn Kittayathikun to lead the lower North, and Khon Kaen MP Weeranan Huatsri to manage the Northeast. Pakamon Noom-anan will reportedly supervise the Southern region, while Bangkok MP Suphanat Meenchainat is expected to direct party activities in the capital.

These appointments remain tentative and subject to confirmation at the forthcoming general meeting. The leadership discussions coincide with a significant Supreme Court ruling expected on April 24 that could impact the party’s future. The court is set to decide on whether to admit for consideration a high-profile ethics case concerning 44 former MPs from the now-defunct Move Forward Party (MFP), ten of whom have since joined the PP. The case revolves around allegations of a major ethics violation tied to these MPs’ efforts to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Thailand’s lese-majeste law.

If the court finds the MPs guilty, they might face political bans, which could reshape the opposition’s composition. According to the party’s legal team, the court has several options: dismiss the case outright; accept it but impose conditions that could require the MPs to suspend their parliamentary duties; accept it but allow them to continue serving; or direct the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to revise its petition.

On April 17, Wayo Assawanruang, a PP deputy leader and party-list MP, said the party is working closely with court officials and intends to submit additional arguments, highlighting alleged procedural flaws in the NACC’s filing. The party’s legal representatives plan to attend the ruling and advocate on behalf of the implicated MPs.

The outcome of the court’s decision is likely to influence final leadership appointments at the PP’s upcoming meeting, potentially altering the opposition’s strategic direction as it prepares for future parliamentary challenges.