About Bhumjaithai Party

The **Bhumjaithai Party** is a major conservative populist political party in Thailand, founded in 2008 and headquartered in Bangkok. It blends conservatism, populism, and economic liberalism, emphasizing welfare-oriented development, traditional Thai values, and loyalty to the monarchy. The party focuses on key policy areas such as tourism promotion, decentralization of financial power, and public safety enhancement. A notable achievement is its successful liberalization of cannabis policy in Thailand, positioning the party as an innovator in social policy[1]. Bhumjaithai emerged from a split in 2008 when Newin Chidchob, a politician from Buriram and sports-mogul background, led a faction away from the predecessor of the Pheu Thai Party. Since then, it has become a powerful political force, particularly as a kingmaker in Thai politics, able to build strong local networks and influence policy across regions including traditionally opposition strongholds in the South[2]. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai controls critical government ministries like Interior and Transport. These ministries provide substantial political leverage by managing security, local administration, and infrastructure, allowing the party to consolidate power and attract new members, especially defectors from other parties[3]. The party’s rise is also fueled by nationalist sentiment, particularly amid the Thai-Cambodian border tensions, which has helped it expand its influence in the southern provinces where conservative and nationalist politics are strong[4]. Currently, Bhumjaithai is a central player in Thailand’s ruling coalition, steering the government away from the long-dominant Pheu Thai Party, which has suffered a steep decline in support. The party’s pragmatic approach, combining traditional patronage politics with adaptation to evolving electoral dynamics, positions it as a key contender in upcoming elections, with ambitions to become the dominant political force in Thailand[5][6].

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