Ideology Populism | ||
Leader Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (1990-2002)
Chingchai Mongcoltam (since 2002) Founded October 11, 1990 (1990-10-11) | ||
The New Aspiration Party (Phak Khwam Wang Mai Thai: พรรคความหวังใหม่) is a political party in Thailand. The party was established in 1990 by General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh after his retirement as Commander-In-Chief of the Royal Thai Army. This party won the elections of 1996 and formed a coalition government with Chavalit as Prime Minister. The onset of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 diminished the electorate's confidence in the government, and Chavalit was forced to resign.
Discredited as a result of the economic crisis, Chavalit formed a coalition with the populist Thai Rak Thai Party led by Thaksin Shinawatra to take part in the 2001 elections. Shortly after the election, the majority of the New Aspiration Party merged with Thai Rak Thai and Chavalit became the Deputy Prime Minister in Thaksin's cabinet.
However, some party members around ex-minister Chingchai Mongcoltam, decided to continue the party. In the legislative elections on July 3, 2011, the party won 0.08% of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives.