<p>Media reports citing sources said several significant Democratic donors have informed Future Forward, the biggest super PAC of supporters of the United States President Joe Biden that pledges totalling about $90 million are now on hold if the incumbent remains the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a New York Times report, some eight-figure pledges are among the frozen funds. This comes after Biden's poor debate performance against his rival and predecessor Donald Trump.</p>

<p>A group donor shared that Future Forward had approached them and their friends several times since the debate, asking for money, but they had been “holding off.”</p>

<p>The two people briefed on the frozen pledges declined to say which individual donors were pulling back promised checks, which were estimated to total around or above $90 million.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A second source close to the group told the NYT that the super PAC has been delaying big strategic choices until it has a clear idea of who would be at the top of the ticket.</p>

<p>The financial freeze coincides with the conversation among some of Biden's advisors about how to convince the president to withdraw from the race.</p>

<p>According to reports, Biden's campaign has been quietly testing Vice President Kamala Harris' chances against Trump. The number of congressional Democrats urging the incumbent president to stand down is rising.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-italian-pm-giorgia-melonis-eye-roll-as-biden-arrives-late-to-nato-summit-goes-viral-740260">Watch | Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's eye-roll as Biden arrives late to NATO summit goes viral</a></strong></p>

<p>The possible shortage of super PAC funds also coincides with the campaign preparing for a challenging July fundraising period, as key donors question Biden's chances of winning in November.</p>

<p>Future Forward, designated by Biden's campaign as its primary super PAC for the 2024 race, has already reserved $250 million in TV and digital ads starting after the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next month.</p>

<p>Following the debate, a leaked poll from an organisation closely associated with Future Forward revealed that the super PAC had evaluated the likability of potential Biden alternatives, including Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.</p>

<p>President Biden has had a worse overall favorability rating than all the others, according to the poll.</p>

<h2><strong>Hakeem Jeffries withholds support for Biden after press conference:&nbsp;Reports</strong></h2>

<p>House&nbsp;Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries&nbsp;reportedly declined to give&nbsp;Biden his support when they met after the president's press conference Thursday (Jul 11)&nbsp;night, according to CNN.</p>

<p>According to CNN, Jeffries "bluntly" expressed the opinions of his caucus during the discussion, though it's unclear if Biden requested his support.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Media reports citing sources said several significant Democratic donors have informed Future Forward, the biggest super PAC of supporters of the United States President Joe Biden that pledges totalling about $90 million are now on hold if the incumbent remains the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Media reports citing sources said several significant Democratic donors have informed Future Forward, the biggest super PAC of supporters of the United States President Joe Biden that pledges totalling about $90 million are now on hold if the incumbent remains the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. According to a New York Times report, some eight-figure pledges are among the frozen funds. This comes after Biden's poor debate performance against his rival and predecessor Donald Trump. A group donor shared that Future Forward had approached them and their friends several times since the debate, asking for money, but they had been “holding off.” The two people briefed on the frozen pledges declined to say which individual donors were pulling back promised checks, which were estimated to total around or above $90 million. A second source close to the group told the NYT that the super PAC has been delaying big strategic choices until it has a clear idea of who would be at the top of the ticket. The financial freeze coincides with the conversation among some of Biden's advisors about how to convince the president to withdraw from the race. According to reports, Biden's campaign has been quietly testing Vice President Kamala Harris' chances against Trump. The number of congressional Democrats urging the incumbent president to stand down is rising. Also read: Watch | Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's eye-roll as Biden arrives late to NATO summit goes viral The possible shortage of super PAC funds also coincides with the campaign preparing for a challenging July fundraising period, as key donors question Biden's chances of winning in November. Future Forward, designated by Biden's campaign as its primary super PAC for the 2024 race, has already reserved $250 million in TV and digital ads starting after the Democratic National Convention (DNC) next month. Following the debate, a leaked poll from an organisation closely associated with Future Forward revealed that the super PAC had evaluated the likability of potential Biden alternatives, including Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. President Biden has had a worse overall favorability rating than all the others, according to the poll. Hakeem Jeffries withholds support for Biden after press conference: Reports House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly declined to give Biden his support when they met after the president's press conference Thursday (Jul 11) night, according to CNN. According to CNN, Jeffries "bluntly" expressed the opinions of his caucus during the discussion, though it's unclear if Biden requested his support. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden's campaign faces $90 million setback as major donors freeze funds after debate against Trump

<div>A stridently anti-military Thai party was dissolved Friday and its key members banned from politics for a decade over a $6 million loan by its billionaire founder, a withering blow to the kingdom's pro-democracy movement.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>The <a href="The Future Forward Party (FFP), fronted by the charismatic auto-parts scion Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, emerged from nowhere in March last year to become Thailand's third biggest party in the first elections since a 2014 coup.">Future Forward Party</a> (FFP), fronted by the charismatic auto-parts scion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-biggest-protest-for-years-in-thai-capital-268301">Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit</a>, emerged from nowhere in March last year to become Thailand's third biggest party in the first elections since a 2014 coup.</div>

<div>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-future-forward-party-leader-charged-with-sedition-208296">Thailand's Future Forward Party leader charged with sedition</a></strong></p>

<p>The party's radical agenda calling for full democracy, an end to conscription and the removal of the army from politics and business pitched it against the powerful, conservative military.</p>
</div>

<div>But since their strong poll showing, <a href="The Future Forward Party (FFP), fronted by the charismatic auto-parts scion Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, emerged from nowhere in March last year to become Thailand's third biggest party in the first elections since a 2014 coup.">Thanathorn </a>and his 76 lawmakers have faced relentless rounds of legal cases in Thailand's courts.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>On Friday the nine-member constitutional court dissolved FFP, ruling a $6 million loan by <a href="The Future Forward Party (FFP), fronted by the charismatic auto-parts scion Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, emerged from nowhere in March last year to become Thailand's third biggest party in the first elections since a 2014 coup.">Thanathorn </a>breached the law governing political parties.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>The loan exceeded the $315,000 limit on donations to parties by an individual, one judge said.</div>

<div>
<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-biggest-protest-for-years-in-thai-capital-268301">Thousands join biggest protest for years in Thai capital</a></strong></p>

<p>Panya Udchachon told the court that "party executives must have known that a loan of that amount would give influence (to Thanathorn) and he could gain advantage over the party."</p>
</div>

<div>Sixteen party executives, including founder Thanathorn, were also "banned for running for political office for 10 years," judge Nakarin Mektriarat added.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>The ruling appears to end the political aspirations of Thanathorn, whose emergence on the Thai political stage has wowed millennials but frightened the country's conservative establishment.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Thanathorn has been a fierce critic of military involvement in politics in a country whose history is peppered with coups.</div>

<div>&nbsp;</div>

<div>Thailand's current prime minister led the the 2014 coup against the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.</div>


A stridently anti-military Thai party was dissolved Friday and its key members banned from politics for a decade over a $6 million loan by its billionaire founder, a withering blow to the kingdom's pro-democracy movement.

A stridently anti-military Thai party was dissolved Friday and its key members banned from politics for a decade over a $6 million loan by its billionaire founder, a withering blow to the kingdom's pro-democracy movement. The Future Forward Party (FFP), fronted by the charismatic auto-parts scion Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, emerged from nowhere in March last year to become Thailand's third biggest party in the first elections since a 2014 coup. Also read: Thailand's Future Forward Party leader charged with sedition The party's radical agenda calling for full democracy, an end to conscription and the removal of the army from politics and business pitched it against the powerful, conservative military. But since their strong poll showing, Thanathorn and his 76 lawmakers have faced relentless rounds of legal cases in Thailand's courts. On Friday the nine-member constitutional court dissolved FFP, ruling a $6 million loan by Thanathorn breached the law governing political parties. The loan exceeded the $315,000 limit on donations to parties by an individual, one judge said. Also read: Thousands join biggest protest for years in Thai capital Panya Udchachon told the court that "party executives must have known that a loan of that amount would give influence (to Thanathorn) and he could gain advantage over the party." Sixteen party executives, including founder Thanathorn, were also "banned for running for political office for 10 years," judge Nakarin Mektriarat added. The ruling appears to end the political aspirations of Thanathorn, whose emergence on the Thai political stage has wowed millennials but frightened the country's conservative establishment. Thanathorn has been a fierce critic of military involvement in politics in a country whose history is peppered with coups. Thailand's current prime minister led the the 2014 coup against the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thai court dissolves key pro-democracy party

<p>Thousands&nbsp;of&nbsp;Thais participated on Sunday in a&nbsp;run&nbsp;billed as an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-biggest-protest-for-years-in-thai-capital-268301">anti-government&nbsp;protest</a>, in what appeared to be the biggest show of dissent against the&nbsp;government&nbsp;of former junta leader Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-se-asian-states-push-trade-pact-despite-india-doubts-259709">Prayuth Chan-Ocha</a>.</p>

<p>Thousands&nbsp;of&nbsp;runners showed up at a public park in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailand-ushers-2020-with-ban-on-plastic-bags-271459">Bangkok</a> in athletic outfits and colourful shoes starting before sunrise to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the "Run&nbsp;Against Dictatorship" event. Organizers said more than 10,000 people registered to attend.</p>

<p>Many shouted, "Prayuth, get out!" or "Long live democracy!" while&nbsp;running the 2.6-km (1.6-mile) course amid a light presence of security forces. Some also gave a three-finger salute of resistance to the former junta, a gesture drawn from the film "The Hunger Games."</p>

<p><img alt="Runners flash three finger salute as they attend a &quot;Run Against Dictatorship&quot; event " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a46906d-bca9-49ed-a63d-46e74b20e13e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2840%29_1.jpg" /><br />
[ <em>Runners flash three finger salute as they attend a "Run&nbsp;Against Dictatorship" event at a public park in Bangkok,&nbsp;Thailand (Courtesy: Reuters) </em>]</p>

<p>The&nbsp;run&nbsp;followed a&nbsp;political&nbsp;rally last month staged by prominent opposition figure Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the largest since a 2014 coup when then-army chief Prayuth seized power from a civilian&nbsp;government.</p>

<p>Tanawat Wongchai, who organized Sunday's event, said it was aimed at opening public space for dissent to push back against&nbsp;political&nbsp;suppression that started after Prayuth's coup and now continued under his civilian&nbsp;government.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Anti-government&nbsp;protests erupt in Thailand</strong></p>

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<p>"We want people to feel that to come out and demand our rights and express ourselves is something that can be done," he said.</p>

<p>He dismissed concerns that the&nbsp;run&nbsp;could spark violent protests like those that have roiled the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;capital periodically and culminated in 2006 and 2014 coups.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;government&nbsp;said it would allow Sunday's event to go ahead but warned participants not to break the law.</p>

<p><img alt="Runners warm up as they attend the &quot;Run Against Dictatorship&quot; event " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9cccead5-ed65-4270-b597-75920f1fae39" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2841%29_0.jpg" /><br />
[ <em>Runners warm up as they attend the "Run&nbsp;Against Dictatorship" event at a Public park in Bangkok,&nbsp;Thailand (Courtesy: Reuters) </em>]</p>

<p>During the December rally, Thanathorn publicly endorsed and urged supporters to&nbsp;join&nbsp;Sunday's event, originally called "Wing Lai Loong" in&nbsp;Thai, which translates as "Run&nbsp;to Oust the Uncle", an apparent reference to Prayuth whom&nbsp;Thais have nicknamed "Uncle Tu."</p>

<p>Thanathorn, a 41-year-old billionaire, has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of the new civilian&nbsp;government&nbsp;headed by Prayuth, 65, since an election in March 2019 that the opposition said was manipulated to favour Prayuth's pro-army party.</p>

<p>Thanathorn was charged on Friday with breaching a law on public assembly with the December rally, and Future Forward, the&nbsp;political&nbsp;party founded by Thanathorn, faces dissolution later this month by the constitutional court.</p>

<p>A rival event to the&nbsp;run&nbsp;was due to take place in another public park some 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) away.</p>

<p>About 3,000 people registered to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the "Walk to Cheer Uncle" event to show support for the&nbsp;government&nbsp;and Prayuth, according to the organizers.</p>


Thousands of Thais participated on Sunday in a run billed as an anti-government protest, in what appeared to be the biggest show of dissent against the government of former junta leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

Thousands of Thais participated on Sunday in a run billed as an anti-government protest, in what appeared to be the biggest show of dissent against the government of former junta leader Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha. Thousands of runners showed up at a public park in Bangkok in athletic outfits and colourful shoes starting before sunrise to join the "Run Against Dictatorship" event. Organizers said more than 10,000 people registered to attend. Many shouted, "Prayuth, get out!" or "Long live democracy!" while running the 2.6-km (1.6-mile) course amid a light presence of security forces. Some also gave a three-finger salute of resistance to the former junta, a gesture drawn from the film "The Hunger Games." [ Runners flash three finger salute as they attend a "Run Against Dictatorship" event at a public park in Bangkok, Thailand (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The run followed a political rally last month staged by prominent opposition figure Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the largest since a 2014 coup when then-army chief Prayuth seized power from a civilian government. Tanawat Wongchai, who organized Sunday's event, said it was aimed at opening public space for dissent to push back against political suppression that started after Prayuth's coup and now continued under his civilian government. Watch: Anti-government protests erupt in Thailand × "We want people to feel that to come out and demand our rights and express ourselves is something that can be done," he said. He dismissed concerns that the run could spark violent protests like those that have roiled the Thai capital periodically and culminated in 2006 and 2014 coups. The government said it would allow Sunday's event to go ahead but warned participants not to break the law. [ Runners warm up as they attend the "Run Against Dictatorship" event at a Public park in Bangkok, Thailand (Courtesy: Reuters) ] During the December rally, Thanathorn publicly endorsed and urged supporters to join Sunday's event, originally called "Wing Lai Loong" in Thai, which translates as "Run to Oust the Uncle", an apparent reference to Prayuth whom Thais have nicknamed "Uncle Tu." Thanathorn, a 41-year-old billionaire, has emerged as the most outspoken opponent of the new civilian government headed by Prayuth, 65, since an election in March 2019 that the opposition said was manipulated to favour Prayuth's pro-army party. Thanathorn was charged on Friday with breaching a law on public assembly with the December rally, and Future Forward, the political party founded by Thanathorn, faces dissolution later this month by the constitutional court. A rival event to the run was due to take place in another public park some 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) away. About 3,000 people registered to join the "Walk to Cheer Uncle" event to show support for the government and Prayuth, according to the organizers.

Thousands join Thai anti-government run as political climate simmers

<p>The leader of a new party that has challenged <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-opposition-parties-form-alliance-demand-junta-step-aside-206029">Thailand's military government </a>was charged on Saturday with sedition, the latest legal action facing the rising star after a disputed March election.</p>

<p>The sedition charge, which was filed by the junta, was the second criminal case opened against Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 40, since he formed the progressive, youth-oriented Future Forward Party last year.</p>

<p>The 2015 case resurfaced after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/charges-of-cheating-amid-confusion-over-thailands-election-result-205533">Future Forward Party made</a> a surprisingly strong showing in the March 24 election, coming in third with 6.2 million votes.</p>

<p>It was still uncertain which party could form a government after the election, the first since a 2014 army coup. Final results may not be clear for weeks.</p>

<p>Future Forward has joined an opposition "democratic front" alliance that will try to form a government and block junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha from staying in power.</p>

<p>Police told Reuters the complaint dates back to 2015, when Thanathorn, who was running his family's auto parts empire at the time, allegedly "provided assistance" to a leader of protesters against the 2014 military coup who violated a junta ban on gatherings of more than five people.</p>

<p>As he left the police station, Thanathorn said the charges were politically motivated and questioned the timing: "Why does this come a week after the election?"</p>

<p>"We believe in our innocence," he told reporters, declining to comment further on the case until he submits written testimony to police, which is due by May 15.</p>

<p>"This isn't about me. This is about everyone who fights for justice," he told a sea of supporters outside.</p>

<p>They handed him flowers and cheered loudly as he emerged from the station, chanting "Thanathorn, keep going!"</p>

<p>Many wore orange clothing - the party's colour - and held up signs with "#SaveThanathorn", which is also a trending hashtag on Twitter.</p>

<p>Embassy representatives from the European Union, Germany and other countries were at the scene for observation.</p>

<p>Thanathorn is accused of breaking article 116 of the Thai criminal code, the equivalent of sedition; article 189, for assisting others who committed a serious crime; and article 215, for an assembly of more than 10 people.</p>

<p>He could face up to nine years in prison if found guilty. He will be tried in a military court.</p>

<p>According to electoral law, a criminal conviction could spell electoral disqualification for Thanathorn, who has looked set to become a member of parliament.</p>

<p>Thanathorn also faces a separate cybercrime charge over a speech he made on Facebook criticising the junta in July.</p>

<p>Prosecutors will decide on April 26 whether to put him on trial for the cybercrime charge.</p>


The leader of a new party that has challenged Thailand's military government was charged on Saturday with sedition, the latest legal action facing the rising star after a disputed March election.

The leader of a new party that has challenged Thailand's military government was charged on Saturday with sedition, the latest legal action facing the rising star after a disputed March election. The sedition charge, which was filed by the junta, was the second criminal case opened against Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 40, since he formed the progressive, youth-oriented Future Forward Party last year. The 2015 case resurfaced after the Future Forward Party made a surprisingly strong showing in the March 24 election, coming in third with 6.2 million votes. It was still uncertain which party could form a government after the election, the first since a 2014 army coup. Final results may not be clear for weeks. Future Forward has joined an opposition "democratic front" alliance that will try to form a government and block junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha from staying in power. Police told Reuters the complaint dates back to 2015, when Thanathorn, who was running his family's auto parts empire at the time, allegedly "provided assistance" to a leader of protesters against the 2014 military coup who violated a junta ban on gatherings of more than five people. As he left the police station, Thanathorn said the charges were politically motivated and questioned the timing: "Why does this come a week after the election?" "We believe in our innocence," he told reporters, declining to comment further on the case until he submits written testimony to police, which is due by May 15. "This isn't about me. This is about everyone who fights for justice," he told a sea of supporters outside. They handed him flowers and cheered loudly as he emerged from the station, chanting "Thanathorn, keep going!" Many wore orange clothing - the party's colour - and held up signs with "#SaveThanathorn", which is also a trending hashtag on Twitter. Embassy representatives from the European Union, Germany and other countries were at the scene for observation. Thanathorn is accused of breaking article 116 of the Thai criminal code, the equivalent of sedition; article 189, for assisting others who committed a serious crime; and article 215, for an assembly of more than 10 people. He could face up to nine years in prison if found guilty. He will be tried in a military court. According to electoral law, a criminal conviction could spell electoral disqualification for Thanathorn, who has looked set to become a member of parliament. Thanathorn also faces a separate cybercrime charge over a speech he made on Facebook criticising the junta in July. Prosecutors will decide on April 26 whether to put him on trial for the cybercrime charge.

Thailand's Future Forward Party leader charged with sedition

<p>A scion of Thailand&#39;s biggest auto parts group launched a new political party in Bangkok on Thursday as an alternative to established parties, promising to bridge a festering political divide in the country.</p>

<p>Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 39, who serves as the executive vice president and director of the Thai Summit Group, an autoparts maker, launched the &#39;Future Forward Party&#39; in Bangkok&#39;s up-and-coming Chinatown neighborhood.</p>

<p>Thanathorn said he hoped to appeal to younger voters and disenfranchised citizens.</p>

<p>&quot;Give democracy a chance,&quot; he said in English at the launch.</p>

<p>&quot;We don&#39;t need governance through guns,&quot; he added in Thai, referring to the ruling military, which took power in 2014.</p>

<p>The launch comes two weeks after Thailand&#39;s Election Commission opened registration for new political parties, one of the first signs of a halting return to democracy.</p>

<p>Thailand has been under military rule since a 2014 coup toppled an elected government.</p>

<p>Since the coup, the generals running Thailand have banned political activity. They have also repeatedly delayed a general election with the latest date pinned on February 2019.</p>

<p>The country has been largely divided since a 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a businessman turned politician who gained a loyal following among rural voters but made many enemies among the military-royalist elite.</p>

<p>Following a period of democracy, the military again intervened in 2014 to topple a civilian government led by Thaksin&#39;s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.</p>

<p>Critics of the junta say it has failed to deliver on its promises and that political divisions remain steadfast.</p>

<p>Growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in protests calling for a quick return to democracy.</p>

<p>The demonstrations come as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 63, who as army chief led the 2014 coup, appears to be undertaking his own campaign to stay on as prime minister.</p>

<p>Thanathorn, whose family also has a major stake in the Matichon Pcl, which publishes newspapers, resigned from Matichon&#39;s&#39; board on Wednesday but remains on the board of Thai Summit, a privately held company.</p>

<p>Some have questioned the family&#39;s ties to Thaksin. Thanatorn&#39;s uncle, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, held various senior positions in Thaksin&#39;s now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party.</p>

<p>Thanatorn has been described by some as the &quot;next Thaksin&quot;, but on Thursday said he did not side with any existing group.</p>

<p>&quot;We have our own stance,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>He did not list his party&#39;s policies because formal political campaigning is still banned by the junta, but said he hopes to attract &quot;ordinary people&quot; to support the party.</p>

<p>&quot;People who are not famous ... but who want to shape our country&#39;s future together,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Thanathorn introduced other party co-founders on Thursday, including a filmmaker and a number of activists involved in LGBT and environmental causes, among other issues.</p>

<p>Party co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a law lecturer at Bangkok&#39;s Thammasat University, said the party hopes to transcend Thailand&#39;s political divide, a sentiment echoed by the student-led groups that have held anti-junta protests across Bangkok in recent weeks.</p>

<p>But some say the party might find it difficult to appeal to grassroots voters.</p>

<p>&quot;Will they, academics and NGOs ... be able to connect with grassroots people, which is a large part of the electoral base?,&quot; asked one Twitter user.</p>


'Give democracy a chance,' Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said in English at the launch

A scion of Thailand's biggest auto parts group launched a new political party in Bangkok on Thursday as an alternative to established parties, promising to bridge a festering political divide in the country. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, 39, who serves as the executive vice president and director of the Thai Summit Group, an autoparts maker, launched the 'Future Forward Party' in Bangkok's up-and-coming Chinatown neighborhood. Thanathorn said he hoped to appeal to younger voters and disenfranchised citizens. "Give democracy a chance," he said in English at the launch. "We don't need governance through guns," he added in Thai, referring to the ruling military, which took power in 2014. The launch comes two weeks after Thailand's Election Commission opened registration for new political parties, one of the first signs of a halting return to democracy. Thailand has been under military rule since a 2014 coup toppled an elected government. Since the coup, the generals running Thailand have banned political activity. They have also repeatedly delayed a general election with the latest date pinned on February 2019. The country has been largely divided since a 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a businessman turned politician who gained a loyal following among rural voters but made many enemies among the military-royalist elite. Following a period of democracy, the military again intervened in 2014 to topple a civilian government led by Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Critics of the junta say it has failed to deliver on its promises and that political divisions remain steadfast. Growing impatience with the junta has been manifest in protests calling for a quick return to democracy. The demonstrations come as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, 63, who as army chief led the 2014 coup, appears to be undertaking his own campaign to stay on as prime minister. Thanathorn, whose family also has a major stake in the Matichon Pcl, which publishes newspapers, resigned from Matichon's' board on Wednesday but remains on the board of Thai Summit, a privately held company. Some have questioned the family's ties to Thaksin. Thanatorn's uncle, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, held various senior positions in Thaksin's now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party. Thanatorn has been described by some as the "next Thaksin", but on Thursday said he did not side with any existing group. "We have our own stance," he said. He did not list his party's policies because formal political campaigning is still banned by the junta, but said he hopes to attract "ordinary people" to support the party. "People who are not famous ... but who want to shape our country's future together," he said. Thanathorn introduced other party co-founders on Thursday, including a filmmaker and a number of activists involved in LGBT and environmental causes, among other issues. Party co-founder Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a law lecturer at Bangkok's Thammasat University, said the party hopes to transcend Thailand's political divide, a sentiment echoed by the student-led groups that have held anti-junta protests across Bangkok in recent weeks. But some say the party might find it difficult to appeal to grassroots voters. "Will they, academics and NGOs ... be able to connect with grassroots people, which is a large part of the electoral base?," asked one Twitter user.

Thai auto heir launches new party, promises to heal political rift