Party Organization Under the Leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra: A Study of the Thai Rak Thai, Palang Prachachon and Pheu Thai Parties

Abstract

This study aims to study the party organization and intra-party decision making in the party under the leadership of Thaksin Shinawatra that the intra-party democracy exists or not. Then, the theoretical approaches were used to analyze the data in this study, including qualitative methods of research. The results showed that the candidate selection is selected through a process of selection of the provincial and regional level. The process was push forward to the executive committee to make a decision which they would agree or not. However, there were some problems occurred. The decision of Thaksin Shinawatra is final. By choosing Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister, was a final resolution of Palang Prachachon party. Nevertheless, there were such many parties disagreed with this, especially Friends of Newin faction. At last Thaksin and Somchai have to give minister quota to them so that this story has ended. Submitting Worachai’s amnesty bill dedicated that the party voted this amnesty bill because it's a highest possibility for now but need to change some content in there to cover all group by decision of strategic committee and a lawyer of the party. In summary, the third party is organizing cadre or corporate party and leaders dominated the party. Victory of party doesn't depend party democratic organization but it depends on selection skilled and professionalist human resource. It's the most important factor for election and interests of the party more than democratic factors.