Phalang Dharma Party

The Phalang Dharma Party is a Thai political party founded by Chamlong Srimuang and supporters of the Santi Asoke sect of Buddhism in 1988.

After 1992, it was led by business tycoon Boonchu Rojanastien and then future Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The party was known for its staunch opposition to corruption. It reached its peak of popularity in 1990, when it won 49 seats in Parliament. It was especially popular in Bangkok, where it won 49 out of 55 seats in 1990 elections for the Bangkok City Council and 32 out of 35 seats in 1992 Parliamentary elections. Factional conflicts between the "Temple Faction" of Santi Asoke followers and the "Political Faction" of professional politicians and business people led to the party's collapse in 1996. Most party leaders later joined the Thai Rak Thai party founded and led by Thaksin Shinawatra.

References

• Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, Biography of Chamlong Srimuang

See also

• Chamlong Srimuang
• Thaksin Shinawatra
• Sudarat Keyuraphan