Registering the FRP at the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) Mr Damrong – who led the investigation into encroachment in Phuket’s Sirinart Marine National Park – said that the party will initially have only party-list candidates, and added that anyone who wants to join the party as a candidate for popular election will have to pay their own campaign costs.
Mr Damrong has been elected party leader by the other founder-members, with the former inspector-general of the DNP, Titi Kanoktaweekan, elected secretary-general.
He said the 17 founders of the party are all retirees from the DNP, and that none have any experience of politics.
He added that he was not sure whether he could amass enough party members to meet the minimum legal requirements for supporting a political party.
Mr Thiti explained that the minimum membership must be 5,000 people within a year of the party being approved by the ECT. In addition the party must establish an office in each of the five regions of Thailand – Central, North, West, South and Isarn.
At a launch function more than 100 people attended and said they wanted to be members.
He explained that he decided to launch it because no existing political party in Thailand is concerned about the environment.
“There are already many big political parties in Parliament but no party that has a policy in favour of environmental protection,” Mr Damrong told The Phuket News. “Quite the opposite – they always give away forest land to businesses.
“I don’t want to have many seats in Parliament like the big parties,” he said. “Just one worthy seat would be pleasing – much like the Rak Pratate Thai party of [Chuwit Kamolwisit].
“But while he [Chuwit] aims to suppress casinos we will focus on the Thai environment,” he explained.
The ECT will take 30 days to verify all the party’s documents to approve its registration.
The party will accept membership registrations once approval comes through, and a website will be set up to help registration. Anyone wanting more information before then can contact Ms Teunjai at 086 994 6960.