The People’s Party’s criticism of the Privy Council’s alleged involvement in government affairs has sharply divided public opinion.
Some say the main opposition party – the parliamentary wing of the Orange movement pushing royal reforms – is resuming its efforts after a strategic pause before the February general election.
According to them, the progressive party deliberately backed away from reforms championed by its predecessor, Move Forward, during the 2020-2021 protests against General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration.
Move Forward was ultimately dissolved by the Constitutional Court in 2024 for “undermining the constitutional monarchy and national security” with its efforts to amend the lese-majesté (“royal insult”) law, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in jail.
However, others view the sudden focus on privy councillors – responsible for advising His Majesty – as a tactical move to woo votes ahead of the June 28 Bangkok governor election.
They note that the party lacks an attention-grabbing platform to dethrone Chadchart Sittipunt, the strong favourite for re-election after four years at the city’s helm.
Although the People’s Party swept all 33 Bangkok seats in the recent national election, its governor candidate, deputy leader Chaiwat Sathawornwichit, remains a distant second in public surveys.
Chadchart is seeking a second term as an independent candidate after securing a record 1.38 million votes in 2022. Polls suggest that most voters prefer an independent Bangkok governor over a party-affiliated figurehead.
‘Improper’ practice
The Privy Council debate erupted when People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut criticised the government for bringing the King’s advisers into a recent Interior Ministry meeting on disaster and drought management.
Nine privy councillors, including ex-PM Prayut, were reportedly present at the meeting as observers, seated on a raised platform overlooking proceedings chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as the interior minister.
Natthaphong declared it was “improper” to invite Privy Council members to such meetings and warned the government against dragging the monarchy into politics.
Anutin quickly dismissed the criticism as a sign that the opposition leader lacked “political maturity” and understanding of government affairs, adding it was “normal practice” for privy councillors to attend such meetings as advisors.
Calling for council’s abolition
Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, co-founder of the original Orange party, Future Forward, escalated the debate by reviving his 2022 proposal to dismantle the Privy Council entirely, arguing that its jurisdiction overlaps with the Cabinet and undermines democracy.
Piyabutr said disbanding the body would protect the monarchy from political controversy, eliminate Cabinet overlap, and halt the drain on state funds for salaries, benefits, official vehicles, and administrative costs.
Following the 2020 dissolution of Future Forward, its former secretary general Piyabutr launched the Progressive Movement along with other top executives of the defunct party, including ex-leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Piyabutr and Thanathorn retain significant ideological influence over the People’s Party.
‘Blue regime’
As the dispute escalated, Natthaphong claimed that Thailand is currently controlled by a “blue regime” – suggesting the government had been captured by “deep-state” networks.
He argued that the foundations for this regime lay in the current constitution, written under the post-coup regime led by then-Army chief Prayut.
Despite Bhumjaithai sporting blue colours, Natthaphong described the ruling party as nothing more than a front for the regime. Bhumjaithai leader Anutin dismissed the allegation, insisting his party’s purpose was to cultivate love for the nation, religion, and monarchy.
The blue stripe in the tri-colour flag of Thailand symbolises the monarchy, while the red stripe represents the nation and the white stands for religion.
